DHS to Begin Screening Aliens’ Social Media Activity for Antisemitism

WASHINGTON— Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens' antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.

Consistent with President Trump's executive orders on Combatting Anti-Semitism, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism and <a target='_blank' href="https://www.federalregister

Chicago Businessman Indicted on Immigration Fraud Charges

CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients, following an investigation assisted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Jose Gregorio Sosa Cardona operated Delta Global Solutions, Inc., which assisted individuals in applying for asylum, immigrant visas, lawful permanent residence cards, and other immigration benefits. From 2020 to 2024, Sosa Cardona conspired with two employees of his firm and others to knowingly provide false and fraudulent information to USCIS for his foreign national clients who were seeking benefits, according to an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment accuses Sosa Cardona of, among other things, fabricating foreign law

USCIS Assisted in Investigation Leading to the Arrest of Central Coast Woman on Complaint Alleging She Created Hundreds of Bogus Medical Documents for Immigration Applicants

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a San Luis Obispo County woman arrested on a federal criminal complaint last month. The complaint alleges she created hundreds of fraudulent immigration documents by misusing physicians' credentials to show compliance with medical examination requirements for immigrants to register for green cards or otherwise adjust their immigration status.

Chantelle Lavergne Woods, 54, of Nipomo, is charged with fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

"The fraudulent conduct described in the criminal complaint undermined the int

Visa Bulletin June 2025 Predictions

For official May 2025 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-may-2025.aspx

Please see June 2025 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	08APR16	08APR16	08APR16	08AUG05	01AUG12
F2A	22JAN22	22JAN22	22JAN22	22MAY21	22JAN22
F2B	01AUG16	01AUG16	01AUG16	22FEB06	15FEB12
F3	08MAY11	08MAY11	08MAY11	22FEB01	01NOV03
F4	15JAN08	15JAN08	01JUL06	08APR01	22JUL05

"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	01NOV17	01NOV17	01NOV17	01MAY06	08JUN15
F2A	22MAR25	22MAR25	22MAR25	22MAR25	22MAR25
F2B	15FEB17	15FEB17	15FEB17	22JUN07	08NOV13
F3	22SEP12	22SEP12	22SEP12	22JUN01	22OCT04
F4	08JUN08	08JUN08	08OCT06	22MAY01	01APR08

USCIS Assisted in Case Resulting in Bronx Former Attorney Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Large-Scale Immigration Fraud

NEW YORK – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a case resulting in the sentencing of a Bronx-based former immigration attorney. Matthew Podolsky, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Kofo Amankwaa was sentenced to 70 months in prison for immigration fraud in connection with his supervision of a multi-year scheme to file fraudulent immigration documents under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Amankwaa pled guilty on Sept. 17, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who imposed the sentence.

Podolsky said: "Kofi Amankwaa, a former immigration attorney, made a mockery of the U.S. immigration system and VAWA — a law that p

Update on TPS for Haiti

On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The announcement amends the period of extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS from 18 months to 12 months, with a new end date of Aug. 3, 2025, and makes a corresponding change to the initial registration period for new applicants under the redesignation, which will now remain in effect through Aug. 3, 2025.

FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary.

Prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners or their representatives are required to use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration submitted on behalf of each be

DHS Terminates the 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status

After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will no longer be in effect starting 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice.

Update on Form I-134A

Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

May 2025 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For May 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-may-2025.aspx

Please see below analysis of May 2025 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	No Change	No Change	No Change	+3 Months 21 Days	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+17 Days
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+6 Months
F4	+5 Months	+5 Months	No Change	No Change	+5 Months

"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	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	No Change	No Change

May 2025 Visa Bulletin

For April 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-april-2025.aspx

For analysis of May 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-analysis-may-2025.aspx

May 2025 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	15MAR16	15MAR16	15MAR16	22APR05	15JUL12
F2A	01JAN22	01JAN22	01JAN22	15MAY21	01JAN22
F2B	22JUL16	22JUL16	22JUL16	01JAN06	08FEB12
F3	01APR11	01APR11	01APR11	15JAN01	22SEP03
F4	01JAN08	01JAN08	15JUN06	15MAR01	01JUN05

"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	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR06	22APR15
F2A	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR07	01OCT13
F3	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	22SEP04
F4	01JUN08	01JUN08	01OCT06	30APR01	01JAN08

USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant's failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective Jan. 17, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security's H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs. USCIS will also publish a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date 01/17/25) on Jan. 17, reflecting combined changes associat

USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its policy guidance to clarify how we evaluate eligibility for the second preference employment-based (EB-2) classification for immigrant petitions filed with a request for a national interest waiver (NIW).

In general, an employer files an EB-2 petition using Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, after obtaining a labor certification from the Department

USCIS Aids in Conviction of Two Men, Extradition of Third in 2022 San Antonio Alien Smuggling Tragedy

SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a significant human smuggling investigation that resulted in the conviction of two men and the extradition of a third for their involvement in 53 deaths and 11 injuries in 2022. As part of the investigation, USCIS combed hundreds of immigration records and conducted electronic database searches to verify victim and subject identities.

Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, and Armando González-Ortega, 55, were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in the tragedy. The two men, along with others, smuggled approximately 66 individuals into the United States inside a tractor trailer that lacked functioning air conditioning. As temperatures soared, many of th

USCIS Updates Policy to Recognize Two Biological Sexes

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognizes two biological sexes, male and female.

Consistent with the Jan. 20, 2025, executive order, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, USCIS is returning to its historical policy of recognizing two biological sexes.

"There are only two sexes — male and female," said DHS Assistant Secretary for Pub