September 17, 2021 was Constitution and Citizenship Day. USCIS celebrated this day by welcoming over 21,000 new citizens across its field offices from September 17-23. The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 and the observance of the day began in 1940. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law that September 17 also […]
On 9/23/2021 the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) decided Matter of Josefina Arambula-Bravo. In its decision, the BIA clarified when a Notice to Appear (“NTA”) can be constituted as a “charging document.” More specifically, the BIA stated that a NTA which does not specify the time and place of a respondent’s initial removal hearing does […]
The Department of State (“DOS”) issued an update that the consular offices are using a tiered approach to triage the immigrant visa applications. The DOS explained that when it possible they are trying to schedule appointments with all four priority tiers each month. However, the number of cases a consular post is able to process […]
In a Statement from the US Department of Justice Thursday September 16th, Non-US citizens can now request a new or replacement social security card when they apply: for an Employment Authorization Document through the USCIS form I-765, or lawful permanent resident status through the USCIS form I-485. This applies with the request of a replacement […]
Starting October 1, 2021, applicants who must have Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination record done must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete the medical examination and sign the form. The applicants must provide proof of vaccination to the civil surgeon before completion of the medical exam. USCIS […]
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the automatic extension of TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. TPS beneficiaries from these countries will retain their status if they continue to meet all the requirements for eligibility through December 31, 2022. The automatic extension of TPS-related documentation includes Employment Authorization Documents […]
On September 4, 2021 USCIS issued a news release that they are extending the time period that receipt notices can be used to show evidence of status for conditional lawful permanent residents (“CLPRs”). USCIS extended the time CLPRs could use their receipt notices for Form I-751 or Form I-829 from 18 months to 24 months. […]
Beginning August 12, 2021, USCIS is extending the validity period for the Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This extension is a temporary response due to the delays in processing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. USCIS has extended the validity period of the form to four (4) years from the original two (2) […]
In the case of Vangala et al. v. USCIS et al., No. 4:20-cv-0814(N.D. Cal.). USCIS reached an agreement which allows certain individuals to receive updated receipt dates for resubmitted immigration benefit applications or petitions originally rejected under the former “No Blank Space” rejection policy. Under this policy, USCIS could reject filings with any blank fields […]
Last week, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) announced that a new policy will be put in place that is designed to protect vulnerable immigrants. These protections are for survivors of violence, trafficking, and domestic abuse. In this policy it constrains ICE, in most circumstances, from taking actions against Individuals with pending applications for victim-based […]
