Designation of Sudan and Extension and Redesignation of South Sudan for TPS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new 18-month designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that will become effective upon publication of an upcoming Federal Register Notice (FRN). DHS also announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan…
H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2022
From USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. Feb. 25, 2022, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting…
Justice Department Settles with Frozen Food Company to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims
The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Buddy’s Kitchen Inc., a Minnesota-based company that produces and distributes frozen foods. The settlement resolves claims that the company discriminated against non-U.S. citizens based on their…
Should Green Card Applicants Use an H-1B Visa or Advance Parole Document for International Travel?
Applicants for adjustment of status receive a special permission to return from international travel called Advance Parole (AP). If you have an approved, valid AP travel document, you may use it to re-enter the U.S. without a visa. In fact,…
USCIS Updates Guidelines on Maximum Validity Periods for New Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765,…
FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1
From the USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. During…
USCIS Updates Criteria and Policy for Requests to Expedite Application 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how it determines whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately. The policy update: Clarifies the criteria and circumstances of expedite requests…
USCIS Alert: New Procedure for Transfer of Underlying Basis in Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications
An applicant for adjustment of status (green card) may have more than one qualifying petition that is the basis for the adjustment of status application (Form I-485). For example, an applicant could have filed an I-485 application based upon an…
DHS Makes More International Students Eligible for STEM OPT
The Biden administration recently announced the expansion of STEM OPT to retain and benefit more STEM students. STEM students are F-1 visa students completing a degree in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. OPT stands for optional practical…
USCIS Announces Potential Interview Cancellations due to COVID-19 Omicron Variant
A recent update has been issued on the USCIS Response to COVID-19 webpage due to the surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant. From USCIS: Due to increased spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, USCIS field offices may need to reschedule appointments…
