Recent Court Order on Hold Policies

On Aug. 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, 26-cv-04850-CRB (NDCA), enjoining PM 602-0192, and PM 602-0194. USCIS is ordered to adjudicate applications in the normal course of USCIS’ process.

Further, the Court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification. The Court certified the class below in this action of individuals who:

(1) Are citizens or natives of one or more of the 39 countries listed in Presidential Proclamations 10949 or 10998, or the Palestinian Authority; and

(2) Who are seeking asylum with an I-589 application pending; or

(3) Otherwise have a benefit application pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;

(4) That is subject

Visa Bulletin November 2026 Predictions

For official October 2026 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-october-2026.aspx

Please see November 2026 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	08MAY20	08MAY20	08MAY20	08DEC08	01DEC13
F2A	C	C	C	01JUL26	C
F2B	22NOV19	22NOV19	22NOV19	01AUG10	01NOV13
F3	01FEB15	01FEB15	01FEB15	08JUL01	22SEP06
F4	22FEB12	22FEB12	08JAN07	15MAY01	22JUL08

"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	22APR20	22APR20	22APR20	01FEB09	08JUN15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	22NOV19	22NOV19	22NOV19	22MAY11	01NOV14
F3	15JAN15	15JAN15	15JAN15	15JAN03	22NOV06
F4	01FEB12	01FEB12	22FEB07	22MAY01	01MAY09

October 2026 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For October 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-october-2026.aspx

Please see below analysis of October 2026 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	+8 Months 7 Days	+6 Months
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+7 Months	+1 Month
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+1 Year 3 Months	+4 Months
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+5 Months
F4	No Change	No Change	+1 Month 14 Days	+14 Days	+8 Months 24 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	+10 Months 7 Days	+1 Year
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	+1 Year 4 Months 17 Days	+2 Months 14 Days
F4	No Change	No Change	+1 Month 17 Days	No Change	+1 Year

October 2026 Visa Bulletin

For September 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-september-2026.aspx

For analysis of October 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-analysis-october-2026.aspx

October 2026 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	22JAN20	22JAN20	22JAN20	08SEP08	01NOV13
F2A	22SEP26	22SEP26	22SEP26	22MAR26	22SEP26
F2B	22AUG19	22AUG19	22AUG19	15MAY10	01OCT13
F3	22OCT14	22OCT14	22OCT14	01JUL01	22JUL06
F4	22OCT11	22OCT11	15DEC06	22APR01	15MAY08

"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	01FEB20	01FEB20	01FEB20	01DEC08	22APR15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01SEP19	01SEP19	01SEP19	22MAR11	01OCT14
F3	01NOV14	01NOV14	01NOV14	01DEC02	22OCT06
F4	01NOV11	01NOV11	01FEB07	30APR01	22MAR09

DHS Proposes Additional H-1B Fee

WASHINGTON— The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to establish a $103,265 fee for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The proposed fee would be paid at the time of filing and would be imposed in addition to all other applicable fees or payments.

The proposed fee would generate revenue to recover a portion of the federal government’s costs for administering the lawful immigration system. These costs include adjudication of immigration benefits, fraud detection and national security vetting, systems modernization, records and fee collection operations, immigration court operations, consular visa processing, labor standards enforcement, and interagency coordination. DHS estimates the proposed fee would generate approximately $8.8 billion annually, based on a projected annual volume of 85,000 H

USCIS to Publish New Edition of Form I-485; Older Editions Will Be Rejected Starting Sept. 18

On Sept. 18, 2026, USCIS will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (edition date: 09/18/26). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Final Rule.

The 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 replaces the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485.

USCIS is providing a preview version of the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 and its instructions because there is no grace period for accepting the revised edition of Form I-485. Do not file the 09/18/26 e

USCIS Issues Guidance on Making Public Charge Inadmissibility Determination

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual explaining how the agency will determine whether an alien applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident is likely at any time to become a public charge.

On July 16, 2026, DHS announced a final rule that rescinds the 2022 Biden-era public charge inadmissibility regulations. The final rule was formally published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, and goes into effect on Sept. 18, 2026. The updated guidance aligns with congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-sufficient and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits.

This up

Denaturalization Case Filed Against Man Who Procured U.S. Citizenship Under False Identity

WICHITA, Kan. — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided crucial support to an investigation resulting in charges to denaturalize a man born in India for using a false identity to become a U.S. citizen. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas made the announcement. 

Charges were filed in the District of Kansas to denaturalize Harinder Singh, a.k.a. Harinder Singh Sanghera a.k.a. Rushpal Singh of Olathe, Kansas, for unlawfully procuring U.S. citizenship. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the citizenship of a naturalized U.S. citizen may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a

USCIS To Require Electronic Filing of Forms: Strengthening National Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an interim final rule (IFR) that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate electronic filing, or e-filing, for certain immigration forms.

Under this IFR, USCIS may require future filings of any immigration form that has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days to be submitted online. USCIS will notify the public on its website at least 60 days before requiring e-filing of a form. Filers must use an online account to submit an immigration form to USCIS, either by completing the form online or by uploading a PDF of the completed form and related evidence.

This initiative will eliminate reliance on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s physical lockbox services and accelerate the shift to electronic fee payments. The transition should deliver substantial cost savings and grea

USCIS to Reduce Frivolous Immigration Benefits Requests by Reinforcing Evidence Standards

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying that benefit requestors should establish eligibility for an immigration benefit at the time they file a benefit request. Generally, if a benefit requestor fails to demonstrate eligibility for a benefit or fails to provide all required initial evidence when filing an application, USCIS may deny their immigration benefit request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). USCIS form instructions specify all required initial evidence for every benefit request, giving requestors all the information needed to comply.

This policy<

USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog

With this rule, USCIS can refer asylum applications to Immigration Judges without interviewing the alien

WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a rule change designed to reduce the backlog in the asylum system.

Currently, both USCIS and Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Judges adjudicate applications for asylum: USCIS adjudicates “affirmative” asylum applications for aliens who are not in removal proceedings, while Immigration Judges adjudicate “defensive” asylum applications for aliens who are in removal proceedings. Depending on the alien’s immigration status, USCIS will usually either adjudicate the application or refer it to an Immigration Judge, who will then condu

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services Rescinds 2022 Public Charge Regulation

WASHINGTON— The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule rescinding the 2022 Biden-era regulation regarding public charge determinations, further aligning immigration law with Congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-reliant and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual applying for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status is inadmissible to the United States if deemed likely at any time to become a public charge. 

The n

USCIS Opens Asylum Office in Atlanta

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening an asylum office in Atlanta. Beginning July 8, 2026, the Atlanta Asylum Office will conduct interviews for affirmative asylum applicants at three locations. Aliens filing for asylum and aliens who have already filed for asylum who are under the jurisdiction of the Atlanta Asylum Office, which covers Georgia and Alabama, will have their interview scheduled at one of these locations:

• A new, temporary asylum office location in Atlanta;
• The USCIS Atlanta Field Office; or
• The USCIS Montgomery Field Office in Alabama.

The Atlanta Asylum Office is expected to move into a permanent location in 2027. Until then, USCIS will use the above

Visa Bulletin October 2026 Predictions

For official September 2026 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-september-2026.aspx

Please see October 2026 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	08MAY20	08MAY20	08MAY20	08MAR08	08MAY13
F2A	C	C	C	15NOV25	C
F2B	22NOV19	22NOV19	22NOV19	22MAR09	22JUN13
F3	01FEB15	01FEB15	01FEB15	08JUL01	08APR06
F4	22FEB12	22FEB12	22NOV06	01MAY01	08OCT07

"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	22APR20	22APR20	22APR20	08FEB09	08JUN15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01DEC19	01DEC19	01DEC19	01JUL10	08NOV13
F3	15JAN15	15JAN15	15JAN15	22JUL01	08SEP06
F4	01FEB12	01FEB12	08JAN07	22MAY01	01APR08

September 2026 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For September 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-september-2026.aspx

Please see below analysis of September 2026 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	+1 Year 1 Month 7 Days	+1 Year 1 Month 7 Days	+1 Year 1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month	No Change
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Year 7 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 7 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 7 Months 21 Days	No Change	No Change
F3	+2 Years 5 Months 7 Days	+2 Years 5 Months 7 Days	+2 Years 5 Months 7 Days	No Change	No Change
F4	+2 Years 1 Month 21 Days	+2 Years 1 Month 21 Days	No Change	No Change	+21 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	+7 Months 16 Days	+7 Months 16 Days	+7 Months 16 Days	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+8 Months	+8 Months	+8 Months	No Change	No Change
F3	+1 Year 8 Months	+1 Year 8 Months	+1 Year 8 Months	No Change	No Change
F4	+1 Year 4 Months 9 Days	+1 Year 4 Months 9 Days	No Change	No Change	No Change

September 2026 Visa Bulletin

For August 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-august-2026.aspx

For analysis of September 2026 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-analysis-september-2026.aspx

September 2026 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	22JAN20	22JAN20	22JAN20	01JAN08	01MAY13
F2A	22AUG26	22AUG26	22AUG26	22AUG25	22AUG26
F2B	22AUG19	22AUG19	22AUG19	15FEB09	01JUN13
F3	22OCT14	22OCT14	22OCT14	01JUL01	22FEB06
F4	22OCT11	22OCT11	01NOV06	08APR01	22AUG07

"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	01FEB20	01FEB20	01FEB20	01DEC08	22APR15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01SEP19	01SEP19	01SEP19	15MAY10	01OCT13
F3	01NOV14	01NOV14	01NOV14	15JUL01	08AUG06
F4	01NOV11	01NOV11	15DEC06	30APR01	22MAR08

Important Notice for Clients of Former Immigration Attorney Alexandra Lozano

On May 26, 2026, Alexandra Lozano resigned from the State Bar of Washington in lieu of discipline and is permanently barred from practicing law in Washington. She closed her law firm on June 10, 2026. On June 18, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (Board) suspended Lozano from practice before the Department of Homeland Security (including USCIS), the Immigration Courts, and the Board.

If you were represented by Alexandra Lozano and have petitions or applications pending before USCIS, we need an updated mailing address to continue processing your case. Visit our How to Change Your Address page for more information. 

If you are a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner, applicant or recipient of T nonimmigrant status, or petitioner or recipient of U nonimmigrant status, visit our <

Court Order on Hold Policies

On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued an order in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, et al. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, et al., 26-cv-00132-JJM-PAS (D.RI.), vacating PM 602-0192, PM 602-0194, and PA 2025-26. The Court entered its final judgment on June 11, 2026. In this case, the plaintiffs are non-governmental organizations and labor unions who represent millions of individuals who filed immigration applications.

USCIS strongly disagrees with the Court’s order but will follow its terms pending possible further judicial review.

The Policy Memoranda and the Policy Alert were issued based on Presidential Proclamation 10949, Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

USCIS Opens Asylum Office in San Antonio

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opened an additional asylum office location in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning May 28, 2026, aliens who filed for asylum with USCIS who reside in the jurisdiction of the Houston Asylum Office may be interviewed at either the Houston Asylum Office or the San Antonio Asylum Office. This additional location increases the Houston Asylum Office’s capacity to schedule and conduct affirmative asylum interviews.

The physical and mailing addresses for the new San Antonio-based office are:

Physical Address:

106 S. St. Mary St., 7th Floor
San Antonio, TX 78205

Mailing Address:

16855 Northchase Drive, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77060

If you applied for asylum and USCIS schedules you for an asylum interview, carefully review your interview notice for important information about where