DHS and DOL Announce Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2023

 WASHINGTON— The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are issuing a temporary final rule that makes available 64,716 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023. These supplemental H-2B visas are for U.S. employers seeking to petition for additional workers at certain periods of the fiscal year before Sept. 15, 2023.

“The Department is making supplemental H-2B visas available earlier than ever, ensuring that American businesses can plan for their peak season labor needs,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “At a time of record job growth, these visas will also provide a safe and lawful pathway to the United States for noncitizens prepared to take jobs that are not filled by American workers.” Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-and-dol-announce-availability-of-additional-h-2b-visas-for-fiscal-year-2023

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS’s Public Charge Final Rule Goes into Effect on Dec. 23

 On Dec. 23, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility final rule will go into effect. This final rule, which was previously announced, provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This final rule restores the historical understanding of a “public charge” that had been in place for decades before the previous administration began to consider supplemental public health benefits such as Medicaid and nutritional assistance as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination. Read more at:https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhss-public-charge-final-rule-goes-into-effect-on-dec-23

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations.

Below is a compilation of options that may be available to nonimmigrant workers seeking to remain in the United States in a period of authorized stay following termination. Please note that not all options below provide employment authorization. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/options-for-nonimmigrant-workers-following-termination-of-employment

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Announces Trial for Updates to the Naturalization Test

 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to conduct a trial for updates to the current naturalization test. The naturalization test has four components: reading, writing, civics, and ability to speak English. The reading and writing portions of the naturalization test are standard. The purposes of the trial are to test a civics component with updated format and content and a newly developed English-speaking component that could become standard. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-trial-for-updates-to-the-naturalization-test

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Announces Registration Process for Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia

 WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Ethiopia’s designation. In October, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the 18-month designation of Ethiopia for TPS.

The registration process begins on Dec. 12, 2022. All individuals who want to request TPS under the designation of Ethiopia must file an application.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-announces-registration-process-for-temporary-protected-status-for-ethiopia

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Releases New Data on Effective Reduction of Backlogs, Support for Humanitarian Missions, and Fiscal Responsibility

 WASHINGTON – Today, USCIS released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 progress report (PDF, 1.08 MB) with new information demonstrating how it reduced backlogs in certain programs and supported humanitarian missions. The report summarizes numerous steps USCIS has taken, which include strengthening its fiscal stability, and implementing adjudicatory efficiencies, policy measures and agency-wide backlog reduction efforts. At the same time, USCIS has continued to meet the extraordinary demands on its humanitarian programs, upholding America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-releases-new-data-on-effective-reduction-of-backlogs-support-for-humanitarian-missions-and

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for 18 Months

 WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for an additional 18 months, from February 4, 2023, through August 3, 2024, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti. He also redesignated Haiti for TPS, allowing Haitian nationals residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, to apply for TPS through August 3, 2024, so long as they meet all eligibility requirements. It is important to note that Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, are not eligible for TPS and, like other individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, will be subject to removal. To repeat: Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, including those who might be considering entering now, are not eligible for TPS.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/secretary-mayorkas-extends-and-redesignates-temporary-protected-status-for-haiti-for-18-months

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

The US visa will have a new image printed on its foil. It won’t be Lincoln anymore

 It’s the U.S. visa issued at all U.S. consulates and embassies across the world — and it is about to debut a new look.

As part of a standard secure document revision process, U.S. consulates and embassies will begin to issue a new visa foil in 2023.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection notification from its Carrier Liaison Program, posted on the website of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, announced the replacement of the Lincoln visa foil for the Bridge visa foil. Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-us-visa-will-have-a-new-image-printed-on-its-foil-it-won-t-be-lincoln-anymore/ar-AA14SeYF

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

US extends visa renewal waiver to 48 months

 The U.S. Mission has announced that it is expanding the eligibility period for nonimmigrant visa renewals from 24 months to 48 months.

Applicants whose previous U.S. visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next three months now qualify to renew their visa without an interview.

The U.S. Mission says it is also opening thousands of visa renewal appointments to assist applicants who wish to renew their visas

A statement by the U.S. Mission on Friday, explained that applicants may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if their application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L or C1/D (combined only) visa. Read more at: https://businessday.ng/news/article/us-extends-visa-renewal-waiver-to-48-months/

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Certain Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees Are Employment Authorized Incident to Parole

 Congress has recently passed laws relating to certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees that have included language providing that parolees covered by the legislation “…shall be eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157)....” Under DHS regulations, refugees are authorized employment incident to status, and under current USCIS policy and practice, refugees are not charged a fee by USCIS for their initial Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Parolees, however, are not employment authorized incident to status, and must pay a fee (currently $410) for their EAD, unless the fee is waived or exempted. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/certain-afghan-and-ukrainian-parolees-are-employment-authorized-incident-to-parole

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends and Expands Fee Exemptions and Expedited Processing for Afghan Nationals

 Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it is extending and expanding previously announced

 filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. These actions will help Afghan nationals resettle, and in many cases reunite with family, in the United States by enabling USCIS to process their requests for work authorization, long-term status, status for immediate relatives, and associated services more quickly. We encourage you to use the webpages below to learn more about the eligibility details for each type of filing you may wish to pursue. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-and-expands-fee-exemptions-and-expedited-processing-for-afghan-nationals

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information. 

10 things to do while waiting 400 days for US tourist visa

 US visa wait times now average a staggering 400+ days for first-time visitor visa applicants in the largest countries for inbound travel.

This creates a de facto travel ban that hurts potential visitors abroad and businesses here in the United States.

To put this burden into perspective, check out what travelers could do in the time it will take them to get a visa to visit the US:

1. Go to Mars…and back: It takes approximately seven months to travel the 300 million miles to Mars. In the time it takes to get a visa interview, a person could travel to the Red Planet and back before they could travel to the United States.
    
2. 
   
   Have a child: A child born on the day a visa request was submitted should be able to stand, walk and say a few simple words by the time the request is completed.
    
3. Learn to speak English: It takes about a year to learn English according to tutoring service Education First if one starts as a beginner and trains for five hours a day.
    
4. Go from vine to wine: From harvesting the grapes to appearing on a restaurant menu or store shelf, the process of making wine takes about a year.
    
5. Earn a degree: With some master’s programs taking as little as a year to complete, serious students could hit the books and earn an advanced degree before getting a visa interview.
    
6. Summit the tallest peaks: Climbing the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent, can be done in a little over a year if you have alpine climbing experience. Mountaineers from Brazil, India and Mexico will have to wait to get a visa to summit the tallest mountain in North America: Denali in Alaska.
    
7. Raise the Lombardi Trophy (twice): An NFL team could win back-to-back Super Bowls in the time it takes for some of their international fans to wait for a visa interview. 
    
8. Walk around the world, leisurely: Walking around the world at the equator (24,901 miles) at a walking pace of 3 mph would take you 346 days, leaving you with another two months to explore your favorite destinations. 
    
9. Get a tech upgrade or two: Apple creates, manufactures and releases a new generation of iPhone each year.
    
10. Become a (television) movie star: According to reports, a television movie takes about 122 days to write, shoot and edit. With that timeline, you could be responsible for 3 of the Hallmark Channel’s 40 Countdown to Christmas features.
    

Recommendations for Paper Filings to Avoid Scanning Delays

 As we move toward an increasing electronic environment, we now scan and upload many documents into electronic database systems. To avoid delays and improve scanning efficiency, we recommend that you do not:

• Hole punch, staple, paper clip, binder clip, or otherwise attach documents to one another.
• Include photos or documents smaller than 4x6 inches for evidentiary purposes. Provide photocopies of these items instead. The only exception is when we request a passport photo with the filing.
• Include anything that contains electronic chips and batteries (such as musical greeting cards) or any non-paper materials such as cassette tapes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, toys, action figures, or thumb drives. We will not accept these types of materials. However, we will accept photographs or photocopies of these items.
• Submit forms or evidence documents bound with a binding or spiral wire/plastic.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/recommendations-for-paper-filings-to-avoid-scanning-delays

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Continues Temporary Protected Status and Related Documentation for Certain Beneficiaries of TPS

 On Nov. 10, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register Notice announcing the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and certain related documents for beneficiaries under the TPS designations that remain subject to the court orders in the Ramos et al. v. Nielsen and Bhattarai et al. v. Nielsen et al. lawsuits.

TPS beneficiaries under the designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, as well as the 2011 Haiti designation and the 2013 Sudan designation will retain their TPS while the preliminary injunction in Ramos and the stay of proceedings order in Bhattarai remain in effect, provided they continue to meet all the individual requirements for TPS eligibility. The automatic extension of TPS-related documentation includes specified Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) through June 30, 2024. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-continues-temporary-protected-status-and-related-documentation-for-certain-beneficiaries-of-tps

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

New Processing Time Method for Orphan and Hague Applications and Petitions

 Starting in mid-November, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will change how we calculate processing times for orphan and Hague cases. These changes provide stakeholders better information about the total time it may take to receive a decision on their application or petition and are consistent with an agency-wide shift in how processing times for other cases are calculated. Most importantly, USCIS remains committed to processing intercountry adoption cases as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Read more at:https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/new-processing-time-method-for-orphan-and-hague-applications-and-petitions

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Announces Online Filing for Affirmative Asylum Applications

 WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is available to file online for certain affirmative asylum applicants. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail.

“The expansion of online filing is a priority for USCIS as we make our operations more efficient and effective for the agency and our stakeholders, applicants, petitioners, and requestors,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “The option to file affirmative asylum applications online is part of USCIS’ ongoing move to minimize reliance on paper records and further transition to an electronic environment.” Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-online-filing-for-affirmative-asylum-applications

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Hosts Special Naturalization Ceremonies in Honor of Veterans Day

 WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will host several Veterans Day-themed naturalization ceremonies across the country, welcoming veterans, service members, and military spouses as America’s newest citizens.

More than 3,900 naturalization candidates, including members of the U.S military, veterans, and their families will take the Oath of Allegiance in 50 ceremonies. These events will honor the sacrifices they have made by serving our country, and also highlight our agency’s commitment to providing immigration services to the military community. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-hosts-special-naturalization-ceremonies-in-honor-of-veterans-day

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 10, 2022.

Effective Nov. 10, 2022, the secretary of homeland security, with the concurrence of the secretary of state, has decided to:

• Add the Kingdom of Eswatini (Eswatini) to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-announces-countries-eligible-for-h-2a-and-h-2b-visa-programs-0

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Begins Limited Implementation of DACA under Final Rule

 WASHINGTON— On Monday, October 31, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security’s final rule (PDF)

 to preserve and fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) went into effect. The final rule’s implementation means that DACA is now based on a formal regulation, thereby preserving and fortifying the program while the program remains the subject of litigation in court. Previously, DACA was based on a policy memorandum that then-DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano issued on August 15, 2012. Since its inception in 2012, DACA has allowed over 800,000 young people to remain with their families in the only country many of them have ever known and continue to contribute to their communities in the United States. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-begins-limited-implementation-of-daca-under-final-rule

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Will Only Consider CW-1 Petitions Approved

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is clarifying its Aug. 25, 2020, policy on implementing the requirement that workers leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa classification.

Effective immediately, the only CW-1 petitions we will classify as consecutive petitions for purposes of the temporary departure requirement are approved CW-1 petitions that have a starting validity date on or after June 18, 2020. Any extension of CW-1 status granted on or after June 18, 2020, will be considered a consecutive petition if the extension has a starting validity date on or after that date (and not backdated before that date). Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-will-only-consider-cw-1-petitions-approved-and-with-starting-validity-on-or-after-june-18-2020

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Designates Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months

 WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of October 20, 2022 will be eligible for TPS.

“The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict and the extraordinary and temporary conditions engulfing Ethiopia, and DHS is committed to providing temporary protection to those in need,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Ethiopian nationals currently residing in the U.S. who cannot safely return due to conflict-related violence and a humanitarian crisis involving severe food shortages, flooding, drought, and displacement, will be able to remain and work in the United States until conditions in their home country improve.” Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-designates-ethiopia-for-temporary-protected-status-for-18-months

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Jan. 24, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2023, inclusive:

• Requests for Evidence;
• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
• Notices of Intent to Deny;

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-covid-19-related-flexibilities-0

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Form and Policy Updates Remove Barriers to Naturalization for Applicants with Disabilities

 WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced updated policy guidance to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.

Consistent with this administration’s goal of removing barriers to legal immigration under President Biden’s Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, Form N-648 has been shortened and simplified, and new telehealth guidelines further remove barriers for applicants and medical professionals. The form revisions are also in response to this administration’s goal to remove barriers for underserved populations under Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. Changes were guided by public comments and feedback received in response to a Federal Register notice regarding the form, and a Request for Public Input (RPI), Identifying Barriers Across USCIS Benefits and Services, both published in April 2021. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-form-and-policy-updates-remove-barriers-to-naturalization-for-applicants-with-disabilities

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for Fiscal Year 2023

 

WASHINGTON— Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), announced that it will be issuing a regulation that will make available to employers an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. By making these supplemental visas available at the outset of the fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2022, DHS is acting swiftly to address employers’ needs for additional seasonal workers. At the same time, DHS and DOL are working together to institute robust protections for U.S. and foreign workers alike, including by ensuring that employers first seek out and recruit American workers for the jobs to be filled, as the visa program requires, and that foreign workers hired are not exploited by unscrupulous employers. To strengthen these efforts, DHS and DOL also announced the creation of a new White House-convened Worker Protection Taskforce, as described below.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-to-supplement-h-2b-cap-with-nearly-65000-additional-visas-for-fiscal-year-2023

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information. 

USCIS Updates Military Naturalization Guidance for Calixto Class Members

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual as a result of a settlement agreement in Calixto v. Department of the Army, Civ. A. No. 18-1551 (PLF) (D.D.C.), known as the Calixto Agreement. In the Calixto Agreement, effective Sept. 22, 2022, the U.S. Army agreed to certify Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, for Calixto class members. As a result, these class members may become eligible for naturalization under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), even before attending initial entry training. This update applies only to Calixto class members filing for military naturalization. Read more at:https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-military-naturalization-guidance-for-calixto-class-members

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

US-Brazil investigation leads to disruption of transnational cryptocurrency fraud ring

 An investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and multiple law enforcement partners led to the disruption of a transnational cryptocurrency fraud ring based in Curitiba, Brazil, Oct. 6.

As part of Operation Poyais, the Brazilian Federal Police executed 20 search and seizure warrants in the states of Parana, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for multiple violations of Brazilian criminal statutes. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/us-brazil-investigation-leads-disruption-transnational-cryptocurrency-fraud-ring

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Extension of United for Ukraine travel authorization

 Supporters of Uniting for Ukraine,

This message explains how you can request an extension of a travel authorization that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued to a beneficiary you agreed to support. Travel authorizations are valid for 90 days. However, if a beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine cannot travel to the United States within the 90-day time frame for reasons beyond their control, supporters may submit a one-time request for a travel authorization extension on behalf of a beneficiary they agreed to support. If the extension is approved, the beneficiary will have an additional 90 days to arrange travel to the United States.

To be eligible for an extension, you must submit an extension request no more than 30 days before the original approved travel authorization period expires and no more than 30 days after the original approved travel authorization period expires. Please note that only supporters who submitted a Form I-134 on behalf of a beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine can request a travel authorization extension on behalf of the beneficiary. You must submit a separate extension request for each beneficiary. 

To submit your request:

Step 1:

Log in to your online account.

Step 2:

From the top of the webpage, select the My Account drop-down menu and select Inbox.

Step 3:

Click on the New Message button.

Step 4:

For the subject, select A case already filed online from the drop-down menu, and for your case receipt number, select your receipt number for Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support).

Step 5:

In the message field, state your continued interest in supporting your named beneficiary who has not yet traveled to the United States and that you are requesting an extension of the beneficiary’s travel authorization, then click Send.

USCIS will review your request for travel authorization extension and submit it along with the beneficiary’s information to CBP to conduct additional vetting. If CBP approves your request, the beneficiary will receive an email notification when the extended travel authorization notice has been posted to their account. Please note that for privacy reasons, only the beneficiary will be able to view their extended travel authorization notice in their online account. The beneficiary should notify you when they receive their extended travel authorization notice.

If the beneficiary's travel authorization expired more than 30 days before you requested the extension, or if the beneficiary cannot travel to the United States during the 90-day extension, you must submit a new Form I-134 on their behalf to obtain a new travel authorization.

The Uniting for Ukraine process provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. Individuals participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their temporary stay in the United States.  

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Awards FY 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grants

 WASHINGTON

—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today awarded nearly $20 million in grants to 66 organizations in 35 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and those with a clear pathway to lawful permanent residency for naturalization. USCIS focused this year on reaching remote, underserved, and/or isolated communities per Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, and corresponding Interagency Strategy on Promoting Naturalization. The grants were made possible thanks to funding provided by Congress, which doubled the funding available for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-awards-fy-2022-citizenship-and-integration-grants

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Extension of Temporary Waiver of 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending our temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

\

The waiver was originally effective until Sept. 30, 2022, but we have extended it to March 31, 2023, to further ease processing delays and associated difficulties in timely completing the immigration medical examination. This waiver applies to all Forms I-693 associated with applications for underlying immigration benefits that have not been adjudicated, regardless of when the application was submitted to USCIS or when a civil surgeon signed the Form I-693. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/extension-of-temporary-waiver-of-60-day-rule-for-civil-surgeon-signatures-on-form-i-693

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 24 Months for Green Card Renewals

 Effective Sept. 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card may receive this extension. Form I-90 receipt notices had previously provided a 12-month extension of the validity of a Green Card. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-green-card-validity-extension-to-24-months-for-green-card-renewals

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Natural Disasters and Other Unforeseen Circumstances

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters in the United States and abroad. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the flooding in Pakistan and Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

• Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. If you fail to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission, we may excuse that if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
• Reparole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expedited processing of advance parole requests;

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/immigration-help-available-to-those-affected-by-natural-disasters-and-other-unforeseen-circumstances-2

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Burma

 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma for an additional 18 months, from Nov. 26, 2022, through May 25, 2024, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Burma that prevent individuals from safely returning. In addition, DHS announced a redesignation of Burma for TPS for the same reason, allowing Burmese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) residing in the United States as of Sept. 25, 2022, to be eligible for TPS.

The February 2021 military coup d’état has led to continuing violence, large-scale human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and the use of deadly force against unarmed individuals, mass displacement of civilians, worsened humanitarian conditions and limited access to shelter, food, water, and medical care, and spurred an economic crisis. These conditions prevent Burmese nationals and habitual residents from safely returning. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/secretary-mayorkas-extends-and-redesignates-temporary-protected-status-for-burma
Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Reviewing Military Naturalization Policy Based on Settlement Agreement in Calixto v.Department

 On Sept. 22, 2022, USCIS was notified of a settlement agreement between the U.S. Army and class members of the civil action captioned Calixto v. Department of the Army, Civ. A. No. 18-1551 (PLF) (D.D.C.). The Calixto settlement agreement affects USCIS’ military naturalization policies, and USCIS is reviewing policy changes based on the terms of this settlement agreement. USCIS will soon provide guidance and instructions for Calixto class members who may be eligible to apply for military naturalization under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reviewing-military-naturalization-policy-based-on-settlement-agreement-in-calixto-v-department

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.