Articles Posted in Immigration News

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will be honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week, the week of May 1 through the 7th. Public Service Recognition Week recognizes and honors those serving our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou stated, “Today and every day, we recognize our dedicated workforce for their commitment and resiliency during challenging times and we thank them for their steadfast service to the nation. I’m proud of the tireless work the thousands of USCIS employees are doing to respond to humanitarian crises, break down barriers in the immigration system, increase access to eligible immigration benefits, promote efficiency and reduce our processing times, and welcome new citizens.” 

For more information please review the USCIS News Release, “USCIS Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week”. 

 
Source of Information: 

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has created a document online on their research library listing all the 2022 USCIS form updates in reverse chronological order! This document lists updates of all forms issued by USCIS! Note: check the USCIS website for the latest updates and correct version of USCIS forms! 

Please review AILA Research Library document: 2022 USCIS Forms Updates 

 | Dated May 2, 2022

On Thursday, April 21st the United States announced President Biden to Announce Uniting for Ukraine, a New Streamlined Process to Welcome Ukrainians Fleeing Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. The program is called Uniting for Ukraine has been setup to help fulfill President Biden’s commitment to welcome displaced Ukrainians into the United States. These displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who live outside of the United States will be able to stay in the U.S. temporarily for a two-year period of immigration parole.

For more information please review the USCIS News Alert, “USCIS Provides Information on Uniting for Ukraine”

Source of Information:

The United Nations has reported that over 11 million Ukrainians have been displaced since the Russian invasion which began on February 24, 2022. The Russia invasion of Ukraine has forced over 4.4 million Ukrainians to cross its border into any neighboring countries which will accept them, also making this the largest displacement of people since World War II. Poland have taken in over 2.5 million Ukrainians, the largest number of any other country. 

For more information review the Forbes News Article, “As 4.4 Million Ukrainian Refugees Flood Europe, U.S. Stalls Pondering Options”. 

 
Source of Information: 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Wednesday, March 30th, as part of their 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 all their forms. The future goal of this USCIS pilot program is to at some point accept digital payments using credit cards at all their service centers. The program that started at the Nebraska Service Center will expand at that location first before being introduced to other service centers. For more information, please see the USCIS web page Pay with a Credit Card. 

For more details, please read the USCIS news alert, “USCIS Service Center Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to All Forms”! 

 
Source of Information: 

List of some of the Top News Stories related to Immigration:

 
The Hill (Thehill.com), 3/24/22:

DHS implements rule to streamline asylum applications 

As of June 4th, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will resume public services at their buildings! Not all services and buildings will be available immediately but will open as staffing allows. For more detailed information review the USCIS News Alert, “USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4”. For the latest information on the status of offices, check online for individual office closures at the USCIS office closures page.

Source of Information:

USCIS (USCIS.gov), 3/15/22, News Alert:

 This is a video interview that was on ABC 7 WJLA with Allen Orr, President of American Immigration Lawyers Assocation (AILA) about US visa options for Ukrainians! He discusses options for displaced individuals from Ukraine including embassy backlogs, potential for humanitarian parole, use of TPS, and others.

 
YouTube Video: ABC 7 WJLA Interview on Ukraine/ US visa options 

Source of Information:

List of some of the Top News Stories related to Immigration:

US News & World Report (usnews.com), 3/4/22: 

Ukrainians in US Consider Taking Advantage of New Status 

On Friday, February 18th, the USCIS released a news alert urging eligible applicants to switch, if possible, to the employment-based categories! The overall employment-based annual limit for fiscal year 2022 is twice as high as usual numbers, because that limit includes all unused family-sponsored visa numbers from fiscal year 2021. There were approximately 140,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers added to the new total. 

The News Alert states, “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages eligible applicants to consider requesting to transfer the underlying basis of their adjustment of status application to the first (priority workers) or second (noncitizens in professions with advanced degrees or with exceptional ability) employment-based preference categories, because there is an exceptionally high number of employment-based immigrant visas available in these categories during this fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022).” 

Review the USCIS News Alert for more information: USCIS Urges Eligible Applicants to Switch Employment-Based Categories!