USCIS - The current federal government shutdown will not affect USCIS’ fee-funded activities. Only limited programs will be affected by the shutdown, including E-Verify, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, Conrad 30 Waiver Program, and Non-Minister Religious Workers. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/lapse-federal-funding-does-not-impact-most-uscis-operations…
USCIS offices will be closed on Monday, December 24th. President Trump declared that all federal departments and agencies are closed and all employees are excused from work that day. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-offices-closed-monday-white-house-executive-order for more information.
DHS announced that effective immediately, the United States will invoke INA section 235(b)(2)(C), and under the Migration Protection Protocols, undocumented individuals arriving in or entering the United States from Mexico may be returned to Mexico for the duration of their…
USCIS recently updated its website with information regarding the agency's practice of denying pending Form I-131 advance parole applications for abandonment due to international travel. Specifically, USCIS indicates on its website that if an applicant files Form I-131, Application for…
On December 17, 2018, in Save Jobs USA v. DHS, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion to intervene that Immigration Voice, a non-profit organization, filed with the court in March 2017. The court also ordered the case to be…
USCIS advised that it will accept adjustment of status petitions for family and employment-based petitions based on their filing dates, and not on the final action dates. See https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/when-file-your-adjustment-status-application-family-sponsored-or-employment-based-preference-visas-january-2019 for the updated information and the applicable January 2019 visa bulletin…
The Department of State posted the visa bulletin for January today. USCIS has not yet advised whether it will accept adjustment of status petitions for family- or employment-based petitions based on the filing dates, rather than the final action dates.…
USCIS has reached its congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the first half of the fiscal year 2019. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reaches-h-2b-cap-first-half-fy-2019 for more information.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a reminder for international travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to apply at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their international flight. See https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reminds-travelers-allow-72-hours-esta for more information.
President Trump has declared Wednesday, December 5th, a national day of mourning to remember the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. USCIS will reschedule all naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments set for…