USCIS to Open International Field Offices in Qatar and Turkey
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the upcoming opening of international field offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, to increase capacity for refugee processing, strengthen strategic partnerships, and facilitate interagency cooperation.
04-23-2024
USCIS Announces Strengthened Integrity Measures for H-1B Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a final rule to strengthen the integrity of and reduce the potential for fraud in the H-1B registration process, including by reducing the potential for gaming the registration system and ensuring each beneficiary would have the same chance of being selected, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf.
01-30-2024
DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Announcing the Extensions of Re-Registration Periods for Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan
Consistent with its September announcement, the Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice reiterating the extensions of the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the existing designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan.
12-13-2023
USCIS Announces Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of Labor (DOL) published a temporary final rule making available an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024, on top of the statutory cap of 66,000 H-2B visas that are available each fiscal year.
11-16-2023
USCIS Establishes Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a Federal Register notice implementing a new family reunification parole (FRP) process for Ecuador, advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s successful combination of expanded lawful pathways and strengthened enforcement to reduce irregular migration.
11-15-2023
DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for FY 2024
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), announced that it expects to make an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas that are available each fiscal year.
11-03-2023
DHS Issues Proposed Rule to Modernize the H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker Program
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would modernize the H-1B specialty occupation worker program by streamlining eligibility requirements, improving program efficiency, providing greater benefits and flexibilities for employers and workers, and strengthening integrity measures.
10-20-2023
DHS Announces Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new family reunification parole process for certain nationals of Ecuador, advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s effective strategy to combine expanded lawful pathways and strengthened enforcement to reduce irregular migration.
10-18-2023
DHS Previews Federal Register Notice Extending and Separately Redesignating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
Today, the Department of Homeland Security is previewing a Federal Register notice for an 18-month extension of Venezuela’s 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation and a separate redesignation of Venezuela for TPS. The notice explains how to register for TPS under Venezuela’s redesignation and how to re-register for the extension. Applicants for TPS are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) during the duration of the TPS designation.
09-29-2023
Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from November 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in South Sudan that prevent individuals from safely returning.
09-05-2023
DHS Reopens USCIS Field Office in Havana, Cuba
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the reopening of an international field office in Havana, Cuba.
08-17-2023
DHS Issues Guidance for Stateless Noncitizens in the United States
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), today issued new guidance to assist stateless noncitizens in the United States who wish to obtain immigration benefits or have submitted other requests to USCIS.
08-01-2023
USCIS Launches Online Rescheduling of Biometrics Appointments
On June 28, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched a new self-service tool allowing benefit requestors, and their attorneys and accredited representatives, to reschedule most biometric services appointments before the date of the appointment.
07-06-2023
USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today new designs to improve security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). USCIS will begin issuing the redesigned cards on Jan. 30, 2023.
01-30-2023
Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen for 18 months, from March 4, 2023, through Sept. 3, 2024, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Yemeni nationals from safely returning to their country.
12-30-2022
USCIS Announces Trial for Updates to the Naturalization Test
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to conduct a trial for updates to the current naturalization test.
12-14-2022
USCIS Announces Online Filing for Affirmative Asylum Applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is available to file online for certain affirmative asylum applicants. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail.
11-09-2022
DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for Fiscal Year 2023
Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), announced that it will be issuing a regulation that will make available to employers an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year.
10-12-2022
Statement from USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou on DACA Ruling
“While today’s decision is deeply disappointing, it does not change current USCIS operations. Consistent with the court’s order, USCIS will continue to accept and process DACA renewal requests, and continue to accept but not process initial DACA requests. We remain committed to preserve and fortify DACA within our authority, but ultimately Congress must act to provide permanent protections to DACA recipients and their families.”
10-05-2022
USCIS Awards FY 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today awarded nearly $20 million in grants to 66 organizations in 35 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and those with a clear pathway to lawful permanent residency for naturalization.
09-29-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Urdu)
امریکی محکمہ برائے ملکی سالمیت (U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) نے ایک حتمی اصول جاری کیا ہے، جسے وفاقی رجسٹر میں شائع کیا جائے گا، جو غیر شہریوں کے لیے اس امر کی وضاحت اور تسلسل فراہم کرتا ہے کہ DHS عدم قبولیت کے پبلک عوامیچارج کی بنیاد کا نظام کیسے
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Vietnamese)
Bộ An ninh Nội địa Hoa Kỳ (DHS) đã ban hành một quy định chung cuộc, sẽ được đăng trong Công báo Liên bang, để thể hiện sự nhất quán và rõ ràng về cách mà DHS áp dụng lý do gánh nặng xã hội để từ chối nhập cư những người không phải là công dân Hoa Kỳ.
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Ukrainian)
Міністерство внутрішньої безпеки США (DHS) оприлюднило остаточне правило, яке буде опубліковане у Федеральному реєстрі (Federal Register), що забезпечує ясність і послідовність для осіб, які не є громадянами країни, щодо того, як DHS буде застосовувати недопущення до країни на підставі визначення суспільного тягаря.
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Tagalog)
Ang Department of Homeland Security (DHS o Kagawaran ng Pambansang Seguridad) ng Estados Unidos ay naglabas ng pinal na tuntunin, na ilalathala sa Federal Register (Pederal na Rehistro) na nagbibigay ng paglilinaw para sa mga noncitizens (dayuhan) kung paano ipapatupad ng DHS ang tuntunin ukol sa public charge (dayuhan na umaasa sa pampublikong benepisyo) bilang batayan ng inadmissibility (hindi pagtanggap).
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Portuguese)
O Departamento de Segurança Interna dos EUA (DHS) emitiu uma regra final, a ser publicada no Registro Federal, que proporciona clareza e consistência aos não-cidadãos sobre a forma como o DHS administrará o fundamento de inadmissibilidade por encargo público.
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Pashto)
د متحده ايالتونو د کورني امنيت وزارت (DHS) داسې يو نهائی مقرره منظور کړی چې د فډرال په رسمي جريده کې خپرېږي. دغه مقرره د متحده ايالتونو د کورني امنيت وزارت لهخوا د پرديو وګړيو ( بې تابعته کسان) لهپاره د دولتی کمکونو د استفاده څرنګوالي موضوع توضيح کوي.
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Nepali)
अमेरिकी गृहभुमि सुरक्षा विभाग (DHS) ले संघीय रजिस्टरमा प्रकाशित हुने अन्तिम नियम जारी गरेको छ, जसले DHS ले अस्वीकार्यताको सार्वजनिक प्रभार आधारलाई कसरी व्यवस्थापन गर्नेछ भनेर गैर-नागरिकहरूलाई स्पष्टता र स्थिरता उपलब्ध गराउँछ
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Creole)
Depatman Sekirite Enteryè Ameriken an (DHS) te pibliye yon desizyon final, ki dwe parèt nan Rejis Federal la, ki pote klète ak konsistans pou moun ki pa sitwayen yo sou fason DHS pral jere motif pou non-kalifikasyon pou chaj piblik.
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (Bengali)
মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ডিপার্টমেন্ট অফ হোমল্যান্ড সিকিউরিটি (DHS) একটি চূড়ান্ত নিয়ম জারি করেছে, যা ফেডারেল রেজিস্টারে প্রকাশিত হবে, এবং যেটি অনাগরিকদের জন্য ধারাবাহিকতা বজায় রেখে খুব স্পষ্ট করে প্রকাশ করেছে যে কোন ক্ষেত্রে DHS পাবলিক চার্জ গ্রাউন্ড গ্রহণ করবে না। কয়েক দশক ধরে বজায় থাকা এই নিয়মটি '
09-08-2022
DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule, to be published in the Federal Register, that provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
09-08-2022
DHS Issues Regulation to Preserve and Fortify DACA
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced that the Department has issued a final rule that will preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy for certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the United States as children, deferring their removal and allowing them an opportunity to access a renewable, two-year work permit.
08-24-2022
Readout of National Public Engagement on Backlog Reduction
Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou and agency leadership participated in a virtual public engagement with nearly 2,000 stakeholders nationwide to discuss the agency’s efforts to reduce backlogs and improve processing times.
05-18-2022
USCIS Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7. Celebrated during the first full week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week is a time set aside to honor those who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.
05-03-2022
DHS Announces Registration Process for Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine and Sudan
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today two Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine and Sudan. These notices provide information about how to register for TPS under each country’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Ukraine for TPS and the 18-month designation of Sudan for TPS.
04-18-2022
USCIS Announces Online Filing for DACA Renewal Forms
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that individuals who previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.
04-12-2022
DHS and DOL to Supplement the H-2B Cap with Additional Visas for Second Half of Fiscal Year 2022
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. These visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022.
03-31-2022
DHS and DOJ Issue Rule to Efficiently and Fairly Process Asylum Claims
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are issuing a rule to improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed.
03-24-2022
DHS Proposes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would regulate how DHS applies the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The proposed rule would provide fair and humane treatment for noncitizens requesting admission to the United States or applying for lawful permanent residence from within the United States. DHS has posted an advance copy of the proposed rule. The official version will publish in the Federal Register in the coming days.
02-17-2022
USCIS Announces New Agency Mission Statement
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou announced the agency’s new mission statement. Last year, USCIS leadership empowered employees to submit words that they felt best illustrated the agency’s work. The new mission statement is a reflection of this feedback from the workforce, the priorities of the Biden Administration, and Director Jaddou’s vision for an inclusive and accessible agency.
02-09-2022
USCIS Updates Guidance on National Interest Waivers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance on adjudicating requests for “National Interest Waivers” regarding job offer and labor certification requirements for certain advanced degree professionals and individuals of exceptional ability.
01-21-2022
USCIS Announces FY 2021 Accomplishments
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is releasing preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2021 agency statistics and accomplishments. These preliminary statistics highlight important immigration trends and illustrate the work accomplished by USCIS in FY 2021. The agency will publish final, verified FY 2021 statistics in January 2022.
12-16-2021
USCIS Reaches Settlement Agreement in “No Blank Space Rejection Policy” Case
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reached a settlement agreement in the case of Vangala et al. v. USCIS et al., No. 4:20-cv-08143(N.D. Cal.). The agreement allows certain individuals to receive updated receipt dates for resubmitted immigration benefit applications or petitions originally rejected under the former “No Blank Space” rejection policy.
08-19-2021
Registration Period Extended to 18 Months for TPS Applicants from Venezuela, Syria and Burma
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing extensions of the registration periods from 180 days to 18 months for initial (new) applicants for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of Venezuela and Burma, and the redesignation of Syria. This notice also provides certain specific corrections to the FRN regarding Venezuela (86 FR 13574).
08-03-2021
New USCIS Asylum Office to Open in Tampa on Aug. 2
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will open a new asylum office in Tampa on Aug. 2, in response to an increasing asylum workload in Florida. The new office becomes the eleventh asylum office in the country and the second in Florida, joining the existing Miami Asylum Office. The Tampa and Miami asylum offices will divide the state’s asylum workload.
07-30-2021
DHS Announces Registration Process for Temporary Protected Status for Haiti
The Department of Homeland Security today posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice that provides information about how to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced this 18-month designation of Haiti for TPS on May 22.
07-30-2021
TPS Applicants from Five Designated Countries Can Now File Initial Applications Online
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants who are eligible nationals of Burma, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela or Yemen, or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in one of those countries, can now file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, online, if they are applying for TPS for the first time.
07-21-2021
DHS Announces Extension and Redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status
The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) extending and redesignating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Sept. 18, 2021, through March 17, 2023. Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas made the decision to extend and redesignate Somalia for TPS after consultation with interagency partners and careful consideration of the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Somalia.
07-21-2021
DHS releases Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization
WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released the Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization, a whole-of-government approach to breaking down barriers to U.S. citizenship and promoting naturalization to all who are eligible, as outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order 14012.
07-02-2021
USCIS Naturalization Policies Issued Since January 2021
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to making the naturalization process both welcoming and accessible to all who are eligible. As part of that effort, President Biden issued Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued the following naturalization policies designed to support implementation of this Executive Order:
07-01-2021
USCIS to Celebrate Independence Day with Naturalization Ceremonies Across the Country
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Independence Day this year by welcoming more than 9,400 new citizens in 170 naturalization ceremonies between June 30 and July 7. These ceremonies demonstrate our commitment to welcoming immigrants. USCIS is proud to welcome people from all over the world as our newest U.S. citizens during this celebration of Independence Day.
07-01-2021
USCIS Issues Policy Providing Further Protections for Victims of Crime
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to implement a new process, referred to as Bona Fide Determination, which will give victims of crime in the United States access to employment authorization sooner, providing them with stability and better equipping them to cooperate with and assist law enforcement investigations and prosecutions.
06-14-2021
USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve request for evidence (RFE) and notice of intent to deny (NOID) guidance; and increase the validity period for initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.
06-09-2021
DHS Announces Open Registration for Temporary Protected Status for Burma
The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) designating Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective May 25, 2021, through Nov. 25, 2022. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced on March 12 that Burma would be designated for TPS.
05-24-2021
Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments by Phone
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that applicants, petitioners, requestors and beneficiaries may now call the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) to reschedule their biometric services appointments scheduled at a USCIS Application Support Center.
05-11-2021