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.