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.