DHS Proposes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule

News release originally published by the Department of Homeland Security

Proposed Rule Breaks from Prior Administration's Harsh Approach in the 2019 Rule

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would regulate how DHS applies the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The proposed rule would provide fair and humane treatment for noncitizens requesting admission to the United States or applying for lawful permanent residence from within the United States. DHS has posted an <a target='_blank' href="https:/

Visa Bulletin April 2022 Predictions

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

Please see April 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	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01FEB15	01FEB15	01FEB15	01NOV99	22APR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01NOV15	01NOV15	01NOV15	08OCT00	01DEC11
F3	01DEC08	01DEC08	01DEC08	15OCT97	01JUL02
F4	01APR07	01APR07	01OCT05	15MAY99	01SEP02

"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	08MAY01	15JUN15
F2A	22DEC21	22DEC21	22DEC21	22DEC21	22DEC21
F2B	01OCT16	01OCT16	01OCT16	22APR01	01NOV13
F3	08SEP09	08SEP09	08SEP09	15MAR01	15OCT03
F4	22OCT07	22OCT07	22JAN06	15OCT00	01MAR04

USCIS Opens a New Lockbox Facility

As we announced in November 2021, we have opened a new lockbox facility in Elgin, Illinois. We are beginning to transition incoming work to the new location.

On Feb. 1, we added Elgin as a filing location for certain applicants filing Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. In the coming weeks, we will move additional workloads to the Elgin lockbox, including certain applicants filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. We expect to complete the trans

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on VAWA Self-Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on eligibility, filing, and adjudication requirements addressing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions to update practices and align USCIS policies with recent court decisions.

We are updating our interpretation of the requirement for shared residence to occur during the qualifying spousal or parent-child relationship. Instead, the self-petitioner must demonstrate that they are residing or have resided with the abuser at any time in the past.

We are also implementing nationwide the decisions in Da Silva v. Attorney General, 948 F.3d 629 (3rd Cir. 2020), and Arguijo v. United States, 991 F

USCIS Announces New Agency Mission Statement

"USCIS upholds America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve." 

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou announced the agency's new mission statement. Last year, USCIS leadership empowered employees to submit words that they felt best illustrated the agency's work. The new mission statement is a reflection of this feedback from the workforce, the priorities of the Biden Administration, and Director Jaddou's vision for an inclusive and accessible agency. 

The new mission statement 

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance Regarding Exemptions from the Temporary Need Requirement for H-2B Workers on Guam and the CNMI Under the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act

USCIS is issuing updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how petitioners may demonstrate that they qualify for an exemption from the temporary need requirement for a nonimmigrant visa petition for a temporary nonagricultural H-2B worker on Guam and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) that falls under the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

Specifically, the guidance clarifies how petitioners may demonstrate, depending on the facts presented in each case, that they qualify for the exemption based on contracts or subcontracts that are "supporting" or "adversely affected by" the military realignment on Guam and in the CNMI. 

For more information, see the <a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20220208-H2BCNMIAnd

USCIS Updates Guidelines on Maximum Validity Periods for New Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Applicants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Starting today, USCIS will generally grant new and renewed EADs that are valid for two years to applicants in the following categories:

• Admitted as a refugee (a)(3);
• Granted asylum (a)(5);
• Granted withholding of deportation or removal (a)(10); and
• VAWA self-petitioner (c)(31).

Additionally, USCIS will generally grant new and renewed EADs up to the end of the parole or deferred action period to applicants in the following categories:

• Paroled into the United States for urgent humanitarian rea