A Federal Judge has enjoined USCIS from enforcing a policy memorandum issued in August 2018 relative to the accrual of unlawful presence for nonimmigrant student or exchange visitors. The ruling found that the policy memorandum amounts to a “legislative rule” in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act because the government did not publish in the Federal Register or allow for a period of public comment on the rule.
A person can accumulate unlawful presence by (1) entering the U.S. without inspection; (2) overstaying their period of lawful status in the U.S.; or (3) violating their immigration status. Previously, for students and exchange visitors, accrual of unlawful presence began only when DHS or an immigration judge made an out-of-status determination and notified the individual of the same.
Pursuant to the USCIS policy update, a determination of retroactive violation is made and can result in the denial of a green card application and bar the individual from entry for a period of three years (if the violation occurred before August 9, 2019) or 10 years (if after August 9, 2019). The Court’s decision in Guilford College v. USCIS prohibits the USCIS from enforcing the policy outlined in its August 2018 memorandum.
If you have a question on this, please contact Berardi Immigration Law to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today!
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