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).

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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.

United States Visa Now Opens More Doors

 An Irish citizen needs a visa for any trip to the US that lasts longer than 90 days (tourist, business, or transit). Irish people who want to visit the US for less than 90 days can’t get a valid visa in Ireland. It is the traveler’s job to make sure their passport is good for at least three months after they leave the United States.

The goal of the ESTA US Visa program is to make the border safer. Shortly after September 11, 2001, the ESTA US Visa program was given the green light, and it started up for real in January 2009. In response to the rise in terrorist attacks around the world, the U.S. government made the US VISA FOR IRISH CITIZENS program so that security checks could be done on foreign visitors coming into the country.

Read more at: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/united-states-visa-now-opens-more-doors

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS to Welcome 19,000 New Citizens in Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

 WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by welcoming more than 19,000 new citizens in more than 235 naturalization ceremonies across the nation between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23.

“Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, USCIS has been working tirelessly in communities to raise awareness about citizenship consistent with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day celebrations provide a wonderful opportunity to highlight our agency’s efforts, while welcoming more U.S. citizens to our American family.” Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-to-welcome-19000-new-citizens-in-celebration-of-constitution-day-and-citizenship-day

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS to Implement Next Phase of Premium Processing for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing the next phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications.

Similar to the first phase and second phase of the expansion, this phase only applies to certain previously filed Form I-140 petitions under an E13 multinational executive and manager classification or E21 classification as a member of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver (NIW).

Petitioners who wish to request a premium processing upgrade must file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. Read more at: https://manage.wix.com/dashboard/cfa54f71-e9f1-42ec-bf7a-de7586f4a1a0/blog/1819db6e-423c-4d51-880a-498920c9c649/edit

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2023

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2023. Sept. 12, 2022 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2023. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Sept. 12, 2022 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2023. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-h-2b-cap-for-first-half-of-fy-2023

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

IPR Center partners with University of Washington in fight against wildlife, natural capital traffic

 

WASHINGTON – The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced today a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University of Washington (UW) Center for Environmental Forensic Science (CEFS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) signed by Jim Mancuso, IPR Center Director, and Samuel Wasser, Executive Director, UW-CEFS. The MOU designates UW-CEFS as an academic partner, facilitating the exchange of institutional knowledge, research, and best practices to support the fight against wildlife and natural capital trafficking violations.

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ipr-center-partners-university-washington-fight-against-wildlife-natural-capital

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Project iGuardian offers back-to-school tips to help keep kids safe online

 WASHINGTON – As kids and teens begin the 2022-2023 academic year, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is reminding parents and educators that they play a key role in helping kids stay safer from online predators.

Any time spent on the internet can potentially expose a child to cyber predators who know how to exploit them. Children are vulnerable when they are online – parents can help protect and help them make safer and smarter choices when they are online and interacting through social media. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/project-iguardian-offers-back-school-tips-help-keep-kids-safe-online

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

United States Visa Online allows people to apply for the e-Visa at any time and from anywhere

 US online visa is an electronic travel document that allows citizens from eligible countries to visit the United States. Applying for US e-Visa via https://www.us-visa-online.org

  is the best, and easy method, where the applicant can complete their application by using their mobile phone or computer. Applicants can complete their Visa application in just a few minutes. The e-Visa is sent directly to their email address and electronically linked with the applicant’s passport, so they don’t need to present any physical documents at the airport. This makes it easier for them.

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/united-states-visa-online-allows-people-to-apply-for-the-e-visa-at-any-time-and-from-anywhere#ixzz7eh7bA0wz

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Released Revised Editions of Forms I-589 and I-765

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released revised editions of Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, dated 07/26/22.

Effective Nov. 7, 2022, USCIS will only accept the 07/26/22 editions of the Form I-589 and Form I-765. Until then, you can submit either the new editions, or the previous editions of Form I-589 (dated 08/25/20) and Form I-765 (dated 05/31/22 and 08/25/20). The edition date is found at the bottom of the page on the form and its accompanying instructions. Please be mindful, however, that the previous editions contain various instructions that have been rendered obsolete in light of the Asylumworks vacatur. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-released-revised-editions-of-forms-i-589-and-i-765

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule

 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule, to be published in the Federal Register, that provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The rule restores the historical understanding of a ‘public charge’ that had been in place for decades, until the prior Administration began to consider supplemental public health benefits such as Medicaid and nutritional assistance as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination. The rule announced today speaks to the Biden Administration’s commitment to restoring faith in our legal immigration system.

“This action ensures fair and humane treatment of legal immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Consistent with America’s bedrock values, we will not penalize individuals for choosing to access the health benefits and other supplemental government services available to them.”

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-fair-and-humane-public-charge-rule

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Announces Re-Registration Process for Current Venezuela Temporary Protected Status Beneficiaries

 WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice describing how beneficiaries under Venezuela’s existing TPS designation can re-register to retain TPS and renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month extension of the designation of Venezuela for TPS.

Only beneficiaries of the initial designation of Venezuela for TPS who were already residing in the United States in March 2021 are eligible to re-register for TPS and apply to renew their EADs, if they otherwise continue to meet eligibility requirements. Individuals re-registering must do so during the 60-day re-registration period from Sept. 8, 2022 to Nov. 7, 2022. Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS.

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

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

ERO removes former Colombian intelligence agent wanted for homicide

 NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans, in coordination with the ERO Removal Division, successfully removed a noncitizen to his home country of Colombia Sept. 1 where he is wanted for crimes related to homicide.

Javier Alfredo Valle Anaya, 54, is a Colombian citizen who obtained status in the U.S. through fraudulent means. Valle Anaya is a former agent of Colombia’s now disbanded intelligence agency, the Administrative Security Department or Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS). He was arrested on immigration violations Oct. 5, 2018, by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-removes-former-colombian-intelligence-agent-wanted-homicide
Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends and Expands Employment Authorization for Individuals Covered by DED for Liberia

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today published a Federal Register notice for the extension and expansion of eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians and explaining how eligible Liberians may apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

On June 27, President Biden issued a memorandum extending and expanding DED for Liberians for 24 months. Eligible Liberian nationals covered under DED as of June 30, 2022, may remain in the United States through June 30, 2024. The president’s memorandum also defers the removal of any Liberian national, or individual without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, who has been continuously physically present in the United States since May 20, 2017, and who meets DED eligibility criteria. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-extends-and-expands-employment-authorization-for-individuals-covered-by-ded-for-liberia

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Resumes Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program Operations

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is resuming operations under the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program, beginning with pending CFRP program applications.

USCIS has begun to mail interview notices to CFRP program petitioners with instructions for the beneficiary interview. On Aug. 18, USCIS began conducting interviews at the U.S. Embassy Havana. USCIS has limited capacity to conduct interviews at this time, so beneficiaries should not take any steps to prepare for an interview until their petitioner receives an interview notice.

In addition, USCIS is sending out general information (PDF, 211.93 KB) about the resumption of the program to petitioners with pending CFRP program applications. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-resumes-cuban-family-reunification-parole-program-operations

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.