On June 30, 2022 the Supreme Court ruled that President Biden could end the Trump-era policy called “Remain in Mexico.” Under this policy, certain non-Mexican citizens who entered the US were sent back to Mexico to wait for their immigration court hearings. The Supreme Court ruling was 5-4 and the decision states that immigration law […]
In 2019, former President Trump expanded the “public charge rule” that made it more difficult for immigrants to obtain the status of a permanent resident if they would receive public benefits, such as food stamps, housing assistance, and many forms of Medicaid. Several states challenged this expansion. In 2021, President Joe Biden officially ended that […]
On June 16, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State announced exemptions allowing certain Afghans to qualify for immigration benefits. After consulting with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State utilized their congressionally given authority to issue three exemptions designed to protect vulnerable Afghans from […]
Last Year, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a rule which meant that instead of arresting and deporting immigrants just for being in the county illegally, which was the case under the Trump administration, immigration authorities could only arrest those who the department deems a threat to national security, public safety, or border security. Mayorkas said […]
Due to the ongoing crises in Cameroon, DHS is suspending certain requirements for F-1 status holders from Cameroon. This includes anyone with Cameroonian citizenship regardless of their country of birth. Any Cameroonian F-1 students who are facing severe economic hardship due the crises in Cameroon may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours, […]
USCIS is now offering premium processing for certain I-140 applicants whose applications are pending. This only includes applicants who have a pending I-140 under an E13 multinational executive or manager classification or applicants who have a pending I-140 under an E21 classification as a member of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a […]
Starting May 2022 certain N-400 applications for Montgomery County, Maryland residents will be interviewed at the Washington Field Office in Fairfax rather than the Baltimore Field Office. Applicants should pay attention to the address listed on the interview notice. The interview will be done at the Washington Field Office, however those who are approved will […]
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary legal status established by Congress as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, for people from designated countries fleeing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary circumstances that prevent them from safely returning to their home countries. On April 15, 2022, the Biden Administration announced a new 18-month […]
USCIS is working towards improving and simplifying its current online case processing system. This comes as part of their goal to improve transparency, efficiency, and customer service. These changes will help customers get quicker responses to their questions and inquiries on the website. With the new changes, customers can immediately find the processing time for […]
USCIS issued a temporary final rule that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization documents from 180 days to 540 days. This rule is in response to the enormous backlog that USCIS has faced with issuing EADs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused staffing shortages, shutdowns, and reduced capacity which ahs […]
