Provision Allowing Special Immigrant Juveniles to File Form I-360 in Person Before Their 21st Birthday

Petitioners for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification (or their representatives) may schedule an appointment within two weeks before their 21st birthday to file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, in person.

SIJ petitioners must file Form I-360 before their 21st birthday. SIJ petitioners nearing age 21 may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 to schedule an SIJ expedite appointment at a local field office so they can file Form I-360 in person within two weeks before they turn 21.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/provision-allowing-special-immigrant-juveniles-to-file-form-i-360-in-person-before-their-21st

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Removes 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is removing the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an underlying immigration benefit, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The requirement had been subject to a temporary waiver since Dec. 9, 2021.Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-removes-60-day-rule-for-civil-surgeon-signatures-on-form-i-693
Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Updates Guidance on Administrative Naturalization Ceremony Venues

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the types of venues USCIS may use for administrative naturalization ceremonies.

This clarifying guidance is part of USCIS efforts to educate the public and those seeking to donate venue spaces, and to provide more transparency on how to partner with USCIS on naturalization ceremonies. USCIS has a long-standing goal of promoting public understanding of the naturalization process and welcomes facility donations from public and private entities in line with our Policy Manual guidance and corresponding federal regulations.
Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-guidance-on-administrative-naturalization-ceremony-venues

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the Early Second Half of FY 2023

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 16,500 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023 with start dates from April 1, 2023 to May 14, 2023, under the FY 2023 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. We will reject and return any H-2B petitions received after March 30, 2023, that are filed for a returning worker under the early second half of FY 2023 allocation. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/cap-reached-for-additional-returning-worker-h-2b-visas-for-the-early-second-half-of-fy-2023

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

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.