New Filing Address for Courier Delivery Services to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has changed the filing location for courier delivery services to the Phoenix lockbox. The facility has moved to Tempe, Arizona, and the filing location for courier delivery services for UPS, FedEx, and DHL has also changed to Tempe. The filing location remains the same when using the U.S. Postal Service. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/new-filing-address-for-courier-delivery-services-to-uscis-phoenix-lockbox

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

FY 2024 H-1B Cap Season Updates

 H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). We have randomly selected from the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap, and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.
Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2024-h-1b-cap-season-updates

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Form and Policy Updates for Applying for Naturalization Based on Military Service

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. The updated policy guidance provides that only applicants filing for naturalization based on military service (INA 328 or 329) who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces are required to file Form N-426 with their naturalization application.
Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-form-and-policy-updates-for-applying-for-naturalization-based-on-military-service

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Announces End of COVID-Related Flexibilities

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that certain flexibilities it first announced in March 2020, to address the COVID-19 pandemic will end on March 23, 2023. USCIS previously notified the public in its Jan. 24, 2023, announcement that barring any changes presented by the pandemic, the extension of these flexibilities announced on Jan. 24 would be the last. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-announces-end-of-covid-related-flexibilities

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Extending and Redesignating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status

 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice extending and redesignating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from March 18, 2023, through September 17, 2024. The notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Somalia’s redesignation. On Jan. 12, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the 18-month extension and redesignation of Somalia for TPS. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-federal-register-notice-extending-and-redesignating-somalia-for-temporary-protected

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Announces Premium Processing; New Online-Filing Procedures for Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to request a premium processing upgrade. 

Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, is now also available to F-1 students in these categories. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail. 

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-premium-processing-new-online-filing-procedures-for-certain-f-1-students-seeking-opt

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.