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Tag: USCIS

  • Premium Processing Expansions for Certain Visas

    On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is implementing its final phase of premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigration Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 preference categories. This final phase applies to all new (initial) petitions, in addition to all previously filed Form I-140 petitions […]
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  • Proposed Adjustment of Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees

    On January 3, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposal to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. These new fees would allow USCIS to more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of future case backlogs.  USCIS receives a majority of its […]
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  • USCIS: Humanitarian Services and Backlog Reduction

    Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 progress report, which identified its effective backlog reduction in certain programs and how it has supported various humanitarian missions. Specifically, the report summarized the numerous steps that USCIS has taken, including the strengthening of its fiscal stability and implementation of adjudicatory efficiencies, […]
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  • USCIS Automatically Extends Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it has updated its policies by automatically extending the validity of Green Cards for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who apply for naturalization. This policy update is expected to help naturalization applicants who experience longer processing times by reducing the number of Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications […]
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  • USCIS Grants Employment Authorization to Ukrainian and Afghan Parolees

    On November 21, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) updated their policy regarding Ukrainian and Afghan parolees and their employment authorization status in the U.S. Now, Ukrainian and Afghan parolees, and their qualifying family members, with certain classes of admission are considered employment authorized incident to parole, which means that they do not need […]
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  • USCIS Processing Times

    When applying for a visa, waiver, or green card through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government provides an approximate processing time. Many factors may affect how long it takes USCIS to complete an application, petition or request, such as the number of applications, petitions, or requests they receive, workload and staffing allocations, the […]
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  • USCIS Committed to Removing Barriers to Naturalization for U.S. Service Members

    With Veterans Day nearly upon us, USCIS has announced that it will be hosting several Veterans Day-themed naturalization ceremonies across the nation, exclusive to veterans, service members, and military spouses looking to become U.S. citizens. Over 3,900 naturalization candidates composed of U.S. military, veterans, and their families will take the Oath of Allegiance in 50 […]
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  • USCIS Removes Barriers to Naturalization for Applicants with Disabilities

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently announced an updated policy guidance to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. To adhere to President Biden’s Executive Order 14012 and Executive Order 13985 and in response to the administration’s legal immigration goals, USCIS has shortened and simplified Form N-648. […]
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  • USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through January 24, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors.  Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in certain requests or notices before taking any action, if the request […]
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  • USCIS Update on Expedited EADs for Healthcare and Childcare Workers

    Here is a an update on expedited EADs for healthcare and childcare workers in the US. Expedited Processing of EADs for Healthcare and Childcare Workers Any healthcare workers or childcare workers who have a valid immigration status and have an initial Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) that has been pending for over 90 days […]
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