Immigration News Resources

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 11:30 p.m. through Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern.

In a blow to the Department of Homeland Security’s attempts to set priorities for immigration enforcement, late last week the Supreme Court of the United States decided 5-4 to deny a request from the Department of Justice to restore the priorities while litigation continues. This decision comes after a confusing several months, culminating in opposing […]

The post Supreme Court Refuses to Restore Biden’s Immigration Enforcement Priorities for Now appeared first on Immigration Impact.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Oct. 23, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today updated its Policy Manual to provide further guidance on evidence that can be used to support a petition for an O-1A nonimmigrant of extraordinary ability with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding Afghan and Iraqi nationals seeking special immigrant classification.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced a new directive aimed at preserving family unity and the parental rights of noncitizens. The directive, “Interests of Noncitizen Parents and Legal Guardians of Minor Children or Incapacitated Adults,” went into effect on July 14. Though media outlets have lauded the policy as a way to end […]

The post Updated ICE Directive Fails to Deliver Meaningful Protections for Immigrant Families appeared first on Immigration Impact.

Lawsuits asking courts to order government employees to decide long-pending immigration filings have increased sharply in the past year. According to a recent report by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), in May 2022 the federal courts recorded 647 immigration-related lawsuits for agency delay. This is “the highest number of such cases filed in a […]

The post Immigration Agencies Get Hit with Record-High Lawsuits as Delays Worsen appeared first on Immigration Impact.

For most people, getting married is one of the most memorable days of their lives. With so many details to manage it can be easy to overlook two of the most important parts — obtaining the marriage license and then marriage certificate. The marriage license is what precedes the marriage certificate (received post matrimony). In...

The post Ultimate Guide to Real Marriage Certificate for Immigration appeared first on VisaNation.

AILA Policy Counsel Jen Whitlock describes the reports and examples of harmful, unnecessary, and wasteful ICE detention and urges readers to take action and tell Congress to reduce ICE detention bed funding for Fiscal Year 2023.

The post Abuse in ICE Detention Continues and So Does the Funding for It first appeared on Blog: Think Immigration.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the second phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the time beneficiaries paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine have to attest to their compliance with the medical screening for tuberculosis and additional vaccinations, if required. Effective immediately, beneficiaries paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine must complete their medical attestation within 90 days of arrival in the United States. Previously, beneficiaries paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine were required to complete the medical screening and attestation within 14 days of arrival to the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has concluded in a new report that Border Patrol agents on horseback did engage in the “unnecessary use of force” against Haitian migrants entering the United States near Del Rio, Texas, on September 19, 2021. However, CBP denied allegations that some of its agents had whipped migrants with the […]

The post CBP Concludes Investigation Into Del Rio Incident Without Interviewing Any Migrants appeared first on Immigration Impact.

USCIS is revising Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, to accommodate the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which made significant changes to both the filing and eligibility requirements for investors under the EB-5 program.

Form I-485 is used in marriage green card cases and the family-based green card process as a way to apply to register for permanent residency or adjust your status. It comes subsequent to submitting Form 1-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). This guide will explore step-by-step how to complete Form I-485, required documents, and procedures. If you’re...

The post Step-by-Step Complete Guide to Form I-485 appeared first on VisaNation.

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of the first-ever citizenship ambassador initiative.

AILA member Aaron Kochenderfer explains the plight of "Documented Dreamers" who are children of employment-based visa holders waiting for permanent residency and urges support of the America's Children Act of 2021 to alleviate their uncertainty.

The post Why Supporting “Documented Dreamers” Is A Good Idea first appeared on Blog: Think Immigration.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is extending the designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new policy memorandum on July 1 that eliminated a barrier for many Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and restored a pathway many have used to obtain a green card. It also provides beneficiaries with a process for traveling outside of the United States and returning in TPS […]

The post USCIS Restores Pathway to a Green Card for TPS Holders appeared first on Immigration Impact.

Since President Biden took office, he has faced attacks on his handling of the border from Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida. Both states brought lawsuits against Biden’s efforts to reverse Trump administration policies, with varying degrees of success. But in the last few weeks, the attacks have escalated. Florida plans […]

The post Florida and Texas Escalate Their War on Migrants appeared first on Immigration Impact.

In this blog post, AILA member John Wheaton writes on the power of storytelling in bringing people together and creating community, encouraging his fellow attorneys to consider asking clients to share their stories and increase understanding of the immigrant experience.

The post Immigration and the Power of Storytelling first appeared on Blog: Think Immigration.