Limited Pilot Program Launched to Process H-1B Visa Renewals Domestically
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
1M ago
As of this week, the Department of State began accepting a fixed number of H-1B renewal applications allowing the beneficiaries to apply for a visa without leaving the U.S. Over the next five weeks, a total of 20,000 employees who received their initial H-1B visas at the consulates in Canada and India will be allowed to participate in the pilot program (Kreighbaum). In 2004, the option to renew visas inside the US was taken away due to introduction of “new post-9/11 security measures, [which] required the collection of fingerprints for all visa applicants” (Kreighbaum). The new requirements se ..read more
Visit website
Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
2M ago
TPS has been extended and redesignated for Syria for a period of 18 months, “from April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Syria that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register as a new or current beneficiary for TPS under Syria’s extension and redesignation.”  Please see the linked USCIS announcement for more details on the decision.  Those who were previously granted TPS for Syria have 60 days to re-register, beginni ..read more
Visit website
DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Announcing the Extensions of Re-Registration Periods for Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
3M ago
On December 13, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security issued a Federal Register notice “reiterating the extensions of the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under existing designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan.” Secretary Mayorkas announced earlier this year, that the time frame to re-register for these countries is increasing from 60 days to 18 months, which would allow “current TPS beneficiaries to submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, at any time during the full extensions of the TPS designations…” and ..read more
Visit website
Certain Renewal Applicants for Employment Authorization to Receive Automatic 180 Day Extension
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
5M ago
To help prevent employment gaps for certain non-citizens whose applications to renew expiring employment authorization documents are pending, USCIS has issued an automatic 180-day extension effective October 27, 2023.  Please review the USCIS announcement linked below for more details.  USCIS’s 10/27/2023 announcement regarding automatic 180 day extensions for certain renewal applicants does not impact its previous temporary final rule regarding 540 day extensions for certain EAD renewal applicants.  Furthermore, USCIS has recently increased “EAD validity period to five years fo ..read more
Visit website
USCIS Exempts Biometric Services Fee for all Form I-539 Applicants
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
6M ago
Starting October 1, 2023, USCIS will no longer require the $85 biometrics fee to be included with I-539 Applications to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status for any category for applications “postmarked October 1 or later.” USCIS is doing away with ASC biometric appointments unless it is determined that such appointment is necessary in which case a notification will be sent out.     For more information, please click here.   ..read more
Visit website
Important Update on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
6M ago
“On Sept. 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Final Rule unlawful… .” Unexpired work permits issued to DACA recipients will “remain valid[,]” and can continue to be renewed.  In addition, current grants of DACA status will not be terminated.  Those applying for DACA for the first time may do so, however, per ruling, these initial applications will not be processed.     Original article can be found here ..read more
Visit website
Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
6M ago
TPS has been extended and redesignated for Afghanistan for a period of 18 months, from November 21, 2023, to May 20, 2025, due to “the serious threat posed by ongoing armed conflict; lack of access to food, clean water and healthcare; and destroyed infrastructure, internal displacement and economic instability.” Only those who already had their TPS approved can re-register to retain their status and work permit, now through November 24, 2023. All valid EADs “issued under Afghanistan TPS designation” will be “automatically extend[ed] through November 20, 2024.” For more information, please clic ..read more
Visit website
DHS Extends TPS Re-registration Periods for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan to 18 Months
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
6M ago
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the re-registration time frame for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from 60 days to 18 months for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan.  During the 18-month extension period, the TPS beneficiaries will be able to submit Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) and Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).  To note, this DHS announcement “extends the period when existing beneficiaries may re-register for their benefits” and does not change eligibility requirements or previously annou ..read more
Visit website
USCIS Updates Voter Registration Guidance for Naturalization Ceremonies
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
6M ago
USCIS has issued an update to its Policy Manual, effective immediately, to clarify the process of registering to vote at naturalization ceremonies. The update is in accordance with the  Executive Order 14019, Promoting Access to Voting, which aims to enhance access to voting and eliminate potential barriers that could hinder new citizens from registering to vote at naturalization ceremonies. “The updated guidance: Affirms that USCIS provides access to voter registration services at each administrative naturalization ceremony, including information regarding points-of-contact for voting a ..read more
Visit website
Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Sudan and Ukraine
Edgerton Immigration Law
by Laura Edgerton
7M ago
The Department of Homeland Security has declared an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan and Ukraine, covering period from October 20, 2023, to April 19, 2025. Furthermore, DHS has also approved a redesignation of TPS for both countries, enabling additional eligible Sudanese and Ukrainian citizens (as well as those without nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine or Sudan) residing in the United States as of August 16, 2023, to qualify for TPS benefits.  Please see the links below for more information about the extension and redesignation of TPS for e ..read more
Visit website

Follow Edgerton Immigration Law on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR