Legal Updates for Immigration

USCIS Eases Requirements on Naturalization Applicants Needing Disability-Based Waiver of Citizenship Exams

October 19, 2022, U.S. citizenship applicants with a physical or mental disability who need a waiver of the naturalization exam requirements should have an easier time obtaining a sufficiently convincing report from a doctor, under revised U.S. government guidelines.

Ethiopia Designated for Temporary Protected Status, Protecting Its Nationals From Deportation Into 2024

The country of Ethiopia has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing its nationals who were in the U.S. on the day this was announced to lawfully remain for 18 months and receive work permission.

Green Card Applicants Have Options for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements?

September 14, 2021. If you're a green card applicant with objections to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, learn about your options here.

USCIS Finally Agrees That Spouses of L-1 and E Visa Holders Can Work in the U.S. Without First Applying for a Work Permit (EAD)

November 10, 2021 Husbands and wives of L-1 intracompany transferees who come to the U.S. on L-2 visas will no longer need to submit an I-765 form and receive a work permit (EAD) card in order to accept U.S. employment.

Changes to List of H-2B Visa-Eligible Countries Announced by DHS

November 10, 2021. The H-2B visa allows foreign nationals to come to the United State to temporarily fill certain nonagricultural jobs, but only if they are from one of certain eligible countries; the list of which has recently been changed.

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.

New U.S. Government Rules Add Several Criminal Bars to Receiving Asylum

November 20, 2020 New rules will widely expand the types of criminal convictions and activities that would bar an applicant from being granted asylum in the United States.

In Light of COVID-19 Office Closures, USCIS Can Approve Adjustment of Status Without an Interview

April 16, 2020 USCIS appears to be granting permanent residence to some applicants without requiring the usual adjustment of status interview, to overcome the problem of USCIS office closures due to coronavirus pandemic.

Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Program Allowed Those With DED Status to Apply for Green Cards; DED Remains an Option

Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (LRIF) allowed certain Liberians with DED and living in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency (a green card).

No Wait in Visa Category F2A! Green Card Holders' Spouses and Children Immediately Eligible

**LEGAL UPDATE** In past years, it normally took much longer for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the U.S. to sponsor their spouse or children to receive an immigrant visa. That's because the process started by them filing a petition on Form I-130, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,

U.S. to Crackdown on Visitors from Countries with High Visa Overstay Rates

April 22, 2019 Nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates, especially people from certain African countries, might want to obtain a visa to travel to the U.S. as soon as possible, if they don’t have one already.

B.I.A. Places Time Limits on Unaccompanied Minors Applying for Asylum

October 16, 2018. People who entered the U.S. as unaccompanied minors must now apply for asylum with the asylum office before they turn 18 or their cases will be sent directly to the immigration court for a hearing with an immigration judge.

Online Filing of N-400 Citizenship Application Now an Option

January 5, 2018. Online filing now available for naturalization applications

USCIS Reminds Advance Parole Applicants Not to Travel Abroad Before I-131 Approved

August 22, 2017. Don't leave the U.S. until you have your advance parole.

All Ages of Applicants for Naturalized U.S. Citizenship Must Now Provide Biometrics

July 28, 2017. New procedures announced by USCIS mean that more applicants than ever will need to provide fingerprints and other biometric information.

Extreme Vetting of Visa Applicants to Include New Supplemental Form DS-5535

June 5, 2017. Trump administration to demand more, and more private, information from some applicants for visas to the United States.