Immigration Court (EOIR) Filing Fees Going Up in January 2021
January 19, 2021 U.S. immigration court system (formally known as the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR) adopts a final rule increasing filing fees for applications, appeals, and motions; however, most of the increases have been blocked by a federal court pending further litigation.
Trump Administration Issues New Regulations Restricting Asylum, Starting in 2021
January 11, 2021 New regulations will make it more difficult for people to seek asylum and other humanitarian protections in the United States. Asylum-seekers will face new legal hurdles and the possibility that the government will dismiss claims at early stages in the legal process.
Congress Offers Help to Some Immigrants in 2020 Omnibus Bill
December 27, 2020 Congress passes, and President Trump signs, a spending package that funds various federal agencies into 2021, offers COVID relief to Americans whose income falls below certain limits, and extends various immigration programs that were about to expire.
Most Asylum Seekers Won't Qualify for Work Permits Under New USCIS Rules
August 25, 2020. USCIS announces new rules that change which asylum applicants are eligible for a work permit and when.
August 24, 2020 Instead of reopening the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as was widely expected after the Supreme Court's decision finding DACA's termination unlawful, the Trump Administration has issued new memos seeking to roll back and possibly ultimately terminate the program, and will not accept new applications.
Trump Blocks Visas for H-1B Skilled Workers, Many Other Temporary Visa Holders
June 22, 2020 Trump's latest immigration ban continues the ban on green cards that was set to expire June 23, 2020 and bans entry by people on several types of work visas.
With New Public Charge Rule Come New and Revised USCIS Forms
February 24, 2020 USCIS creates new forms for visa and green card applicants to fill out and revises a number of other forms, per new public charge inadmissibility rules.
USCIS Issues 2020 Poverty Guidelines: Raises Required Income Level for Family Sponsors of Immigrants
March 1, 2020 A U.S. sponsor filling out Form I-864 must prove that his or her income or assets are high enough to support the intending immigrants; and the 2020 guidelines require higher than ever support levels.
How Asylum Applicants Can Check Status of Case Online
You can use your asylum receipt code to see whether USCIS has received your case, whether your interview with an asylum officer has scheduled, or whether a decision was reached in your case.
What the "Remain in Mexico" Procedure Means for Asylum Applicants
January 25, 2019 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces it will begin implementing a new “Wait in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers at the southern U.S. border.
Trump Asylum Bar Put on Hold by Federal Judge
November 19, 2018 A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's asylum bar, which will remain in effect until December 19.
Trump and A.G. Whitaker Announce New Bar to Asylum for Unlawful Entrants
On November 9, 2018 the Trump administration issued a new bar on asylum, through a presidential proclamation. It applies to people who enter the U.S. unlawfully (outside an official port of entry) at the southern border.
New USCIS Policy Affects Timing of Medical Exam (Form I-693) for Applicants to Adjust Status
November 1, 2018 USCIS reduces the length of time a medical exam report will be valid to two months.
International Entrepreneurs Can Apply for Parole Entry to U.S.--For Now
December 13, 2017. A court allows the new rule allowing parole entry for international entrepreneurs to go forward, though applicants may still face hostility in light of the Trump Administration's general refusal to allow parole as a means of U.S. entry.
USCIS Narrows Interpretation of TN Category for Economists
November 20, 2017. Employers now need to find another visa option to employ market research analysts, marketing specialists, or financial analysts from Canada and Mexico, because USCIS closed the TN door on the economist category.