USCIS Issues Updated and Comprehensive Guidance on T Visa Adjudications

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing updated and comprehensive guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on adjudicating applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) submitted by victims of human trafficking, including clarifying how applicants establish eligibility.

Our policy guidance (PDF, 339.32 KB) clarifies the physical presence eligibility requirement, the age-based exemption from the requirement to comply with law enforcement requests, and how the agency evaluates involuntary servitude claims. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-updated-and-comprehensive-guidance-on-t-visa-adjudications

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2022

 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 2022. Sept. 30 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2022. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Sept. 30 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2022. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-h-2b-cap-for-first-half-of-fy-2022

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

ICE adds additional languages to online appointment scheduler

 WASHINGTON – Noncitizens can now schedule their initial check-in with ICE in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and French, using the recently announced ICE Appointment Scheduler. The ICE Appointment Scheduler is a web-based, multilingual, and smartphone compatible appointment scheduler for noncitizens. The tool allows noncitizens to schedule their required check-in appointments at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) offices as they await immigration proceedings. Previously, appointments were made via phone or in person. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-adds-additional-languages-online-appointment-scheduler

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Most CW-1 Employers Must File Required Semiannual Report (Form I-129CWR)

 USCIS reminds employers of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that, if you have a currently-approved CW-1 petition with a validity period of six months or more, you must file Form I-129CWR, Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers, with USCIS every six months after the petition validity start date. Employers use this report to certify the continued employment and payment of each worker under the terms and conditions of the approved petition. You are not required to file Form I-129CWR if your petition has been withdrawn for all beneficiaries. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/most-cw-1-employers-must-file-required-semiannual-report-form-i-129cwr

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

 In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors who are responding to certain:

• Requests for Evidence;
• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
• Notices of Intent to Deny;
• Notices of Intent to Revoke;
• Notices of Intent to Rescind;
• Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers; and
• Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-flexibility-for-responding-to-agency-requests

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Awards FY 2021 Citizenship and Integration Grants

On Sept. 20, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the award of $10 million in grants to 40 organizations that prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization. The grants also aim to promote prospective citizens’ integration into American civic life by funding educational programs designed to increase their knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. Located in 25 states, these organizations will receive federal funding to support citizenship preparation services for LPRs through September 2023. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-awards-fy-2021-citizenship-and-integration-grants

Contact Darren Heyman,
immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS to Welcome 21,000 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 21,000 new citizens in 335 naturalization ceremonies across the country between Sept. 17 and 23.

“It is an honor to welcome so many new Americans this Citizenship Day and Constitution Day,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Citizenship Day and Constitution Day are special days at USCIS – an agency where many people come to work every day to help those at home and abroad realize the full meaning of U.S. citizenship. As we take time to reflect on what citizenship means to each of us, let us share in the commitment to invest fully in this country’s promise to be a place of hope and possibilities for all.” Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-to-welcome-21000-new-citizens-in-celebration-of-constitution-day-and-citizenship-day

Contact Darren Heyman,
immigration attorney, for more information.