DHS Seeks Public Comment on Public Charge Rulemaking

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking data and information from the public that DHS intends to use to develop a public charge regulatory proposal. The purpose of public comment is to ensure that the proposal is fair, consistent with law, and informed by relevant data and evidence. Public comment also will help DHS ensure that the proposed regulation does not impose undue burdens on noncitizens seeking admission to or adjustment of status in the United States.

"It is critical that immigrants, many of whom are essential and frontline workers, can access necessary government services for which they are eligible to keep their families safe and healthy," said Ur M. Jaddou, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "DHS is taking an essential step to implement a fair and rational rule that does not cause fear and confusion among

Visa Bulletin October 2021 Predictions

For official September 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-september-2021.aspx

Please see October 2021 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries):

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	08DEC14	08DEC14	08DEC14	15FEB99	08MAR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01NOV15	01NOV15	01NOV15	15APR00	01NOV11
F3	08DEC08	08DEC08	08DEC08	08JUN97	15JUN02
F4	08APR07	08APR07	01OCT05	01MAR99	15SEP02

"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	08JUN16	08JUN16	08JUN16	15AUG00	15JUL15
F2A	01JUL21	01JUL21	01JUL21	01JUL21	01JUL21
F2B	08OCT16	08OCT16	08OCT16	01NOV00	22NOV13
F3	01SEP09	01SEP09	01SEP09	15SEP00	01NOV03
F4	22OCT07	22OCT07	22JAN06	22JUN99	22MAR04

Cap Reached for Remaining H-2B Visas for Returning Workers for FY 2021

As of Aug. 13, 2021, USCIS has received enough petitions for returning workers to reach the additional 22,000 H-2B visas made available under the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. We will reject and return any cap-subject petitions for H-2B returning workers received after Aug. 13, together with any accompanying fees.

As previously announced, we began accepting additional

USCIS Reaches Settlement Agreement in “No Blank Space Rejection Policy” Case

Affected filers have until July 20, 2022, to receive an earlier receipt date

WASHINGTON—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. Ca

DHS and DOJ Publish Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Make Asylum Process More Efficient and Ensure Fairness

WASHINGTON – In a key step toward implementing the Administration's blueprint for a fair, orderly, and humane immigration system, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would amend current regulations to improve the processing of asylum claims.  The proposed rule would allow, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum officers to hear and decide applications for asylum, withholding of r

USCIS Temporarily Extending Validity Period of Form I-693

Beginning Aug. 12, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, from two years to now four years due to COVID-19-related delays in processing.

USCIS may consider a completed Form I-693 as valid if: 

• The civil surgeon's signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• No more th

USCIS Expands Partnership with Social Security Administration

WASHINGTON— USCIS announced today that applicants filing for lawful permanent resident status are now able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card as part of the adjustment of status application process. Previously, these individuals had to apply for a Social Security number at a Social Security office. USCIS is revising Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to include the additional questions needed to apply for an SSN or a replacement card.

"This expansion of our partnership with the Social Security Administration illustrates our commitment to operating our nation's immigration system more efficiently to save applicants time," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and optimizing collaboration across public-serving agencies is a key priority for this agency and the Bi

USCIS Removes Barriers to U.S. Citizenship for Children Born Abroad Through Assisted Reproductive Technology

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updated policy guidance affecting children born outside of the United States and the determination of whether children born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) are considered to have been born "in wedlock." This policy update will allow a non-genetic, non-gestational legal parent of a child to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child if the parent is married to the child's genetic or gestational parent at the time of the child's birth, and the relevant jurisdiction recognizes both parents as the child's legal parents.

"USCIS is taking a crucial step towards ensuring fair access and support for all families and their loved ones," said USCI

Statement from Ur M. Jaddou as New Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

"As a proud American and a daughter of immigrants, I am deeply humbled and honored to return to USCIS as director. I look forward to leading a team of dedicated public servants committed to honoring the aspirations of people like my parents and millions of others who are proud to choose this country as their own. USCIS embodies America's welcoming spirit as a land of opportunity for all and a place where possibilities are realized.

"Since January, USCIS has taken immediate steps to reduce barriers to legal immigration, increase accessibility for immigration benefits, and reinvigorate the size and scope of humanitarian relief. As USCIS director, I will work each and every day to ensure our nation's legal immigration system is managed in a way that honors our heritage as a nation of welcome and as a beacon of hope to the world; reducing unnecessary barriers and supporting our ag

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).

After reevaluating the 180-day registration periods for initial TPS applicants announced for the de

September 2021 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For September 2021 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-september-2021.aspx

Please see below analysis of September 2021 Visa Bulletin:

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	+9 Days	+9 Days	+9 Days	+14 Days	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+14 Days	No Change
F3	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+23 Days	No Change
F4	+21 Days	+21 Days	+14 Days	+17 Days	+14 Days

"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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+1 Month 24 Days	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	+1 Month	+24 Days	No Change

September 2021 Visa Bulletin

For August 2021 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-august-2021.aspx

For analysis of September 2021 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-analysis-september-2021.aspx

September 2021 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from September 1 to September 30 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	01DEC14	01DEC14	01DEC14	15JAN99	01MAR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	22SEP15	22SEP15	22SEP15	15MAR00	22OCT11
F3	22NOV08	22NOV08	22NOV08	15MAY97	08JUN02
F4	22MAR07	22MAR07	15SEP05	08FEB99	22AUG02

"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	15MAY16	15MAY16	15MAY16	01AUG00	22APR15
F2A	01JUN21	01JUN21	01JUN21	01JUN21	01JUN21
F2B	22SEP16	22SEP16	22SEP16	01OCT00	01OCT13
F3	22AUG09	22AUG09	22AUG09	08SEP00	01OCT03
F4	01OCT07	01OCT07	01JAN06	01JUN99	01FEB04

September 2021 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official September 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-september-2021.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIFTH PREFERENCE I5 and R5 REGIONAL CENTER VISA CATEGORIES

Division O, Title 1, Section 104 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the immigrant investor pilot program until June 30, 2021. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021.

The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as "Unavailable" for September.

If there is legislative action extending this category for September, the final action dates would immediately become "Current" for September for all countries except China-mainland born I5 and R5, which would be subject to a November 22, 2015 final action date.

E. DETERMINATION OF THE NUMERICAL LIMITS ON IMMIGRANTS REQUIRED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALI

New USCIS Asylum Office to Open in Tampa on Aug. 2

Office will adjudicate asylum claims from Florida residents

TAMPA, Florida—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 11th 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.  

Florida currently leads the country in asylum applications filed with USCIS, and more than a quarter of the national pending caseload is from Florida residents. The addition of the Tampa Asylum Office will help USCIS resolve urgent cases quickly and better address the large number of asylum applications pending with USCIS in the state. 

USCI

DHS Announces Registration Process for Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

Designation Allows Eligible Haitians Who Resided in the U.S. as of July 29 to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents 

WASHINGTON—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. 

The registration process will open next week when the FRN is publi

USCIS Conducts Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted FY 2022 H-1B Cap Registrations

In March 2021, USCIS conducted an initial random selection on properly submitted electronic registrations for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap, including for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Per regulation, we use historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors to calculate the number of registrations needed to meet the H-1B cap for a given fiscal year. Only those petitioners with selected registrations for FY 2022 are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. The initial filing period for those with selected registrations for FY 2022 was from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021.

We recently determ

Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Natural Disasters and Other Unforeseen Circumstances

USCIS is reminding the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the wildfires in the western United States and the recent building collapse in Surfside, Florida.

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 f

Employers May File H-2B Petitions for Returning Workers for FY 2021

USCIS is announcing today that employers may file H-2B petitions for returning workers under the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. Employers may take this action if they are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers. A petitioner must file a new Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, together with an approved and valid temporary labor certification that states an employment start date for the second half of the fiscal

Filing Location Updates for Certain Forms I-131

On July 22, we adjusted the addresses for certain applicants filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. We have not changed any filing locations but have refined attention lines and ZIP codes to improve internal processes at our lockboxes. This address update affects:

• Applicants with a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, who are filing Form I-131 alone with a Form I-485 receipt notice;
• Haitian family members filing for advance parole under the Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) program;</

TPS Applicants from Five Designated Countries Can Now File Initial Applications Online

WASHINGTON— 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.

"USCIS is using innovation and technology to meet the needs of applicants, petitioners and employees," said USCIS Acting Director Tracy L. Renaud. "Regardless of the paper or electronic format of an application or petition, USCIS is committed to ensuring a secure and efficient pr