USCIS announces award recipients of nearly $10 million in funding to support citizenship preparation programs

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to 45 public and private non-profit organizations across the country to help lawful permanent residents prepare for naturalization. The grants also help these organizations promote prospective citizens’ assimilation into American civic life by funding educational programs designed to increase their knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. Located in 26 states, these organizations will receive federal funding to support citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents through September 2019.

USCIS awarded the grants through two competitive funding opportunities. The first funding opportunity supports organizations that provide citizenship instruction and naturalization application assista

Deadline to Submit DACA Renewal Requests Approaching On Oct. 5

From USCIS News:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reminding eligible Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients that they have one week to properly file their DACA renewal requests and associated applications for employment authorization. As previously announced, for recipients whose DACA and work authorization expire between Sept. 5, 2017, and March 5, 2018, inclusive, USCIS will continue to accept renewal requests through Oct. 5, 2017. These requests must be properly filed and physically received by the agency at the proper filing location no later than Oct. 5. The mailing address and instructions can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-821d-addresses. Renewal requests that are granted will be valid for two years, unless otherwise terminated or rev

USCIS No Longer Accepting Petitions for One-Time Increase to the Temporary Nonagricultural Visa Program

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is no longer accepting petitions from U. S. employers seeking to hire temporary nonagricultural workers under the one-time increase to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 H-2B cap announced in July.

For the first time, in May, Congress delegated its authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of temporary nonagricultural work visas available to U.S. employers through FY 2017.

After consulting with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly determined there were not enough qualified and willing U.S. workers available to perform temporary nonagricultural labor to satisfy the needs of some American businesses in FY 2017. Consequently, additional H-2B visas were made available to American busi

Temporary Protected Status for Sudan to Terminate in November 2018

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON—Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has determined that conditions in Sudan no longer support its designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after reviewing country conditions, and after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials’ consultations with the appropriate U.S. government agencies. Acting Secretary Duke is extending benefits for beneficiaries of Sudan TPS for 12 months to allow for an orderly transition before the designation terminates on Nov. 2, 2018.

Current beneficiaries of Sudan’s TPS designation seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register. The deadline will be published in the Federal Register and on www.uscis.gov/tps later this week. Those who re-register and request a new employment autho

Employers Must Use Form I-9 With a Revision Date of 07/17/17 N

From USCIS Alerts:

Beginning Sept. 18, 2017, employers must use Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, with revision date 07/17/17 N, to verify the identity and work eligibility of every new employee hired after Nov. 6, 1986, or for the reverification of expiring employment authorization of current employees (if applicable).

This date is found on the lower left corner of the form. Prior versions of the form will no longer be valid for use.  Employers who fail to use Form I-9, 07/17/17 N on or after Sept. 18, 2017 may be subject to all applicable penalties under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324a, as enforced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Employers should continue to follow existing <a target='_blank' href="https://

Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan Extended for 18 Months

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON—Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of South Sudan (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan) through May 2, 2019. After consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, and reviewing country conditions, acting Secretary Duke determined that an 18-month extension of South Sudan for TPS is necessary because the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the 2016 TPS redesignation have persisted.

Current beneficiaries of South Sudan’s TPS designation seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register. The deadline will be published in the Federal Register and on www.usci

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Some Categories of Applicants Seeking H-1B Visas

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year year (FY) 2018 cap. The FY 2018 cap has been set at 65,000 visas. Premium processing has also resumed for the annual 20,000 additional petitions that are set aside to hire workers with a U.S. master’s degree or higher educational degree.

H-1B visas provide skilled workers for a wide range of specialty occupations, including information technology, academic research, and accounting. When a petitioner requests the agency’s premium processing service, USCIS g

USCIS Celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Welcoming More Than 30,000 New U.S. Citizens

From USCIS News:

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed on Sept. 17, with over 200 naturalization ceremonies across the country as part of this year’s Constitution Week from Sept. 15 to 22. More than 30,000 lawful permanent residents will become America’s newest U.S. citizens during this week. The annual commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” 

USCIS’ Constitution Week activities this year will feature a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives on Sept. 15. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. displays the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security

Celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Week) 2017 with Naturalization Ceremonies

From USCIS News:

On Sept. 17, the nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.”

USCIS celebrates Constitution Week with naturalization ceremonies across the country. This year, we will welcome more than 30,000 new citizens during over 200 naturalization ceremonies between Sept. 15 and 22. A list of highlighted ceremonies is below.

We encourage you to share your experiences and photos from naturalization ceremonies through social media, using the hashtag #newUScitizen. You can also follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook

Visa Bulletin November 2017 Predictions

For the official October 2017 Visa Bulletin, please click here: http://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-october-2017.aspx

Please see November 2017 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based):

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01FEB11	01FEB11	01FEB11	01APR96	15FEB07
F2A	15NOV15	15NOV15	15NOV15	08NOV15	15NOV15
F2B	01DEC10	01DEC10	01DEC10	08AUG96	01FEB07
F3	08AUG05	08AUG05	08AUG05	01MAY95	15MAR95
F4	22MAY04	08JUN04	01NOV03	15OCT97	08JUL94

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01FEB12	01FEB12	01FEB12	15DEC96	15NOV07
F2A	01DEC16	01DEC16	01DEC16	01DEC16	01DEC16
F2B	15SEP11	15SEP11	15SEP11	15JAN97	15SEP07
F3	08DEC05	08DEC05	08DEC05	15OCT95	01JUL95
F4	01DEC04	01DEC04	15JUL04	01MAR98	01APR95

Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Hurricane Irma

From USCIS Alerts:

USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Irma.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

• Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
• Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
• Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• Expedited adjudication of employment author

Visa Bulletin October 2017

For September 2017 Visa Bulletin, please click here: http://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-september-2017.aspx

October 2017 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from October 1 to October 31 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	22DEC10	22DEC10	22DEC10	01MAR96	01JAN07
F2A	22OCT15	22OCT15	22OCT15	15OCT15	22OCT15
F2B	08NOV10	08NOV10	08NOV10	15JUL96	01JAN07
F3	22JUL05	22JUL05	22JUL05	22APR95	22FEB95
F4	08MAY04	08MAY04	01OCT03	01OCT97	01JUN94

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01JAN12	01JAN12	01JAN12	01NOV96	01OCT07
F2A	01NOV16	01NOV16	01NOV16	01NOV16	01NOV16
F2B	01SEP11	01SEP11	01SEP11	01JAN97	01SEP07
F3	01DEC05	01DEC05	01DEC05	01OCT95	15JUN95
F4	15NOV04	15NOV04	22JUN04	08FEB98	01MAR95

USCIS Alerts Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey to Available Immigration Services

From USCIS Alerts:

USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Harvey.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

• Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
• Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
• Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• Expedited adjudication of employment auth

GSA announces new lease agreement for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Camp Springs, MD

From USCIS News:

GSA Contact: Renee.Kelly@gsa.gov

USCIS Contact: uscis.media@uscis.dhs.gov

The General Services Administration (GSA) today announced a new lease agreement for occupancy by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Under the new lease agreement, USCIS will consolidate its headquarters from five leased locations and one federal asset to one facility. The new headquarters will occupy 574,767 rentable square feet (RSF) at One Town Center located at One Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, Md., 20746 for a term of 15 years.

The new leased headquarters will save t

USCIS Grants All Available U Visas for Fiscal Year 2017

From USCIS Alerts:

USCIS has approved the congressionally mandated annual limit of 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status for victims of certain crimes committed in the United States who assist law enforcement authorities. Although USCIS cannot grant any more U visas in fiscal year (FY) 2017, we will continue to review pending petitions for eligibility for potential visa issuance when more visas become available in FY 2018 beginning on Oct. 1, 2017. 

Petitioners and qualifying family members must continue to meet eligibility requirements at the time a U visa becomes available.

Congress created the U visa program to strengthen law enforcement&