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

Visa Bulletin September 2026 Predictions

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

Please see September 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	08MAR19	08MAR19	08MAR19	22FEB08	01JUN13
F2A	C	C	C	15NOV25	C
F2B	08FEB18	08FEB18	08FEB18	15APR09	08JUL13
F3	08JUN12	08JUN12	08JUN12	15JUL01	22APR06
F4	01NOV09	01NOV09	22NOV06	01MAY01	22SEP07

"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	15AUG19	15AUG19	15AUG19	22FEB09	08JUN15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08MAR19	08MAR19	08MAR19	22JUL10	08NOV13
F3	22MAR13	22MAR13	22MAR13	22JUL01	22SEP06
F4	08AUG10	08AUG10	08JAN07	22MAY01	01APR08

August 2026 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of August 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	+10 Months 14 Days	+10 Months 14 Days	+10 Months 14 Days	+23 Days	No Change
F2A	+1 Year 6 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 6 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 6 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 6 Months 21 Days	+1 Year 6 Months 21 Days
F2B	+1 Month 9 Days	+1 Month 9 Days	+1 Month 9 Days	No Change	+17 Days
F3	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change
F4	+8 Months	+8 Months	No Change	No Change	No 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	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+5 Months 14 Days	+5 Months 14 Days	+5 Months 14 Days	+2 Months	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+6 Months 23 Days	+6 Months 23 Days	+6 Months 23 Days	No Change	No Change
F3	+2 Months 24 Days	+2 Months 24 Days	+2 Months 24 Days	No Change	No Change
F4	+3 Months 21 Days	+3 Months 21 Days	No Change	No Change	No Change

August 2026 Visa Bulletin

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

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

August 2026 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from August 1 to August 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	15DEC18	15DEC18	15DEC18	01DEC07	01MAY13
F2A	22JUL26	22JUL26	22JUL26	22JUL25	22JUL26
F2B	01JAN18	01JAN18	01JAN18	15FEB09	01JUN13
F3	15MAY12	15MAY12	15MAY12	01JUL01	22FEB06
F4	01SEP09	01SEP09	01NOV06	08APR01	01AUG07

"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	15JUN19	15JUN19	15JUN19	01DEC08	22APR15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01JAN19	01JAN19	01JAN19	15MAY10	01OCT13
F3	01MAR13	01MAR13	01MAR13	15JUL01	08AUG06
F4	22JUN10	22JUN10	15DEC06	30APR01	22MAR08

Visa Bulletin August 2026 Predictions

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

Please see August 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	22MAR18	22MAR18	22MAR18	01FEB08	01JUN13
F2A	22MAR25	22MAR25	22MAR25	01MAR24	22MAR25
F2B	01JAN18	01JAN18	01JAN18	01MAY09	22JUN13
F3	08MAY12	08MAY12	08MAY12	08JUN01	08MAY06
F4	01FEB09	01FEB09	22NOV06	01MAY01	22SEP07

"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	15FEB19	15FEB19	15FEB19	15DEC08	08JUN15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	22JUL18	22JUL18	22JUL18	22JUL10	08NOV13
F3	22DEC12	22DEC12	22DEC12	22JUL01	01OCT06
F4	08APR10	08APR10	08JAN07	22MAY01	01APR08

July 2026 Visa Bulletin

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

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

July 2026 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from July 1 to July 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	01FEB18	01FEB18	01FEB18	08NOV07	01MAY13
F2A	01JAN25	01JAN25	01JAN25	01JAN24	01JAN25
F2B	22NOV17	22NOV17	22NOV17	15FEB09	15MAY13
F3	15APR12	15APR12	15APR12	01JUN01	22FEB06
F4	01JAN09	01JAN09	01NOV06	08APR01	01AUG07

"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	01JAN19	01JAN19	01JAN19	01OCT08	22APR15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUN18	08JUN18	08JUN18	15MAY10	01OCT13
F3	08DEC12	08DEC12	08DEC12	15JUL01	08AUG06
F4	01MAR10	01MAR10	15DEC06	30APR01	22MAR08

July 2026 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of July 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	+5 Months	+5 Months	+5 Months	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	+1 Month 7 Days
F3	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	+1 Month	+3 Months
F4	+1 Month 23 Days	+1 Month 23 Days	No Change	No Change	+17 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	+3 Months	+3 Months	+3 Months	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+2 Months 17 Days	+2 Months 17 Days	+2 Months 17 Days	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	+2 Months 10 Days	+2 Months 10 Days	No Change	No Change	No Change

DHS Automatically Extends Temporary Protected Status for Lebanon

The Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on the six-month automatic extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanon, from May 28, 2026, through Nov. 27, 2026. Under the TPS statute, if the secretary of homeland security does not decide whether a country still qualifies for TPS at least 60 days before the country’s TPS designation expires, its TPS designation is automatically extended for six months. 

Former Secretary Noem and Secretary Mullin, who was sworn in on March 24, 2026, were unable to make an informed determination on Lebanon’s TPS designation by the March 28, 2026 statutory deadline due to the dynamic and quickly unfolding events in Lebanon that required a new review of country conditions and impac

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ Only in Extraordinary Circumstances

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the country. Officers are directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this extraordinary form of relief.

“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of inc