Thursday, April 28, 2022

USCIS Provides Information on Uniting for Ukraine

On April 21, the United States announced Uniting for Ukraine, a key step towards fulfilling President Biden's commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. They will also be eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS.

For additional information on the Uniting for Ukr



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Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Visa Bulletin June 2022 Predictions

For official May 2022 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-may-2022.aspx

Please see June 2022 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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F101FEB1501FEB1501FEB1522FEB0022APR12
F2ACCCCC
F2B01NOV1501NOV1501NOV1515FEB0101DEC11
F301DEC0801DEC0801DEC0815OCT9701JUL02
F401APR0701APR0701OCT0515FEB0022SEP02
"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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F115JUL1615JUL1615JUL1601JUN0122MAY15
F2ACCCCC
F2B01NOV1601NOV1601NOV1622MAY0108NOV13
F308SEP0908SEP0908SEP0915MAR0115NOV03
F422OCT0722OCT0701MAR0601MAY0115MAY04



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Friday, April 22, 2022

DHS Announces Registration Process for Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine and Sudan

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today two Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine and Sudan. These notices provide information about how to register for TPS under each country's designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Ukraine for TPS and the <a target='_blank' href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/03/02/secretary-mayorkas



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Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Secretary Mayorkas Designates Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months

WASHINGTON— Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of April 14, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

"The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, and we will provide temporary protection to those in need," said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "Cameroonian nationals currently residing in the U.S. who cannot safely return due to the extreme violence perpetrated by government forces and armed separatists, and a rise in attacks led by Boko Haram, will be able to remain and work i



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Monday, April 18, 2022

USCIS Announces Online Filing for DACA Renewal Forms

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that individuals who previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.

"The expansion of online filing is a priority for USCIS as we make our operations more efficient and effective for the agency and our stakeholders, applicants, petitioners and requestors," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "The option to file DACA renewal requests online is part of USCIS' ongoing move to minimize reliance on paper records and further transition to an electronic environment."

At this time, the option to file online



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Friday, April 15, 2022

USCIS Implements Risk-Based Approach for Conditional Permanent Resident Interviews

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a policy update to adopt a risk-based approach when waiving interviews for conditional permanent residents (CPR) who have filed a petition to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.

Effective immediately, new criteria will guide USCIS officers on when to waive interviews for CPRs who filed a Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This update replaces previous agency guidance that required all CPRs to undergo an interview if they obtained CPR status via consular processing.

"Implementing a risk-based strategic approach to the CPR-interview process will increase efficiencies that improve



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Wednesday, April 13, 2022

DHS and DOL to Supplement the H-2B Cap with Additional Visas for Second Half of Fiscal Year 2022

News release originally published by the Department of Homeland Security.

Departments to add additional visas and significant worker protections 

WASHINGTON —The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. These visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022. 

"Informed by



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May 2022 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For May 2022 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-may-2022.aspx

Please see below analysis of May 2022 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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F2ANo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F2BNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F3No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F4No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
"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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F2ANo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F2BNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change+9 DaysNo Change
F3No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F4No ChangeNo ChangeNo Change+2 Months 10 DaysNo Change



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May 2022 Visa Bulletin

For April 2022 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-april-2022.aspx

For analysis of May 2022 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-analysis-may-2022.aspx

May 2022 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from May 1 to May 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 01DEC14
01DEC14 01DEC14 01JAN00 01MAR12
F2A C C C C C
F2B 22SEP15 22SEP15 22SEP15 01JAN01 22OCT11
F3 22NOV08 22NOV08 22NOV08 15SEP97 08JUN02
F4 22MAR07 22MAR07 15SEP05 01JAN00 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 01MAY01 22APR15
F2A C C C C C
F2B 22SEP16 22SEP16 22SEP16 01MAY01 01OCT13
F3 22AUG09 22AUG09 22AUG09 01MAR01 08NOV03
F4 01OCT07 01OCT07 22FEB06 01MAR01 22APR04



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Monday, April 11, 2022

USCIS Service Center Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Most Forms

As part of our credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for most forms. The goal of this pilot is to bring USCIS one step closer to accepting digital payments using a credit card at all service centers.

We started, and then <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="35a7b3fc-485a-4d31-8158-f24f6098c88f" hr



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Friday, April 8, 2022

USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain flexibilities through July 25, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. We anticipate this may be the final extension of these flexibilities. USCIS will consider a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the issuance date listed on the request or notice is between March 1, 2020, and July 25, 2022, inclusive:

  • Requests for Evidence;
  • Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
  • Notices of Intent to Deny;
  • Notices of Intent to Revoke;
  • Notices of Intent to Rescind;
  • Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers; and
  • Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Gran


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Wednesday, April 6, 2022

FY 2023 H-1B Cap Season Updates

H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master's cap). We randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap. We have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.

Registrants' online accounts will now show one of the following statuses for each registration (that is, for each beneficiary registered):

  • Submitted: The registration has been submitted and is eligible for selection. If the in


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Monday, April 4, 2022

USCIS Announces New Actions to Reduce Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Provide Relief to Work Permit Holders

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system. USCIS will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals, expand premium processing to additional form types, and work to improve timely access to employment authorization documents. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints resulting from the prior administration, USCIS inherited a significant number of pending cases and increased processing times. Through today's actions by the Biden administration, USCIS is acting to reduce these caseloads and processing times, while also ensuring that fair and efficient services are available to applicants and petitioners.

"USCIS remains committed to delivering timely and fair decisions to all we serve," said USCIS Director



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Friday, April 1, 2022

DHS and DOJ Issue Rule to Efficiently and Fairly Process Asylum Claims

WASHINGTON— Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are issuing a rule to improve and expedite processing of asylum claims made by noncitizens subject to expedited removal, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed.

The rule authorizes asylum officers within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to consider the asylum applications of individuals subject to expedited removal who assert a fear of persecution or torture and pass the required credible fear screening. Currently, such cases are decided only by immigration judges within the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Due to existing court backlogs, the process for hearing and deciding these asylum cases currently takes several years on average. Wh



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