Headlines Expansion of Schedule A, Group II Definition to Support STEM Talent – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has expanded the “science or art” categories within Schedule A, Group II to include any field of knowledge or skill for which colleges and universities commonly offer courses leading to a degree. New Audit Measures for EB-5 Regional Centers – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced new audit measures under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, affecting all designated regional centers. Employment Authorization Granted to Eligible Palestinians U ..read more

Headlines USCIS Has Completed FY2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has completed the selection process for fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap registrations, including the master’s cap. Higher Immigration Fees Took Effect April 1 – Despite pending litigation, higher immigration fees took effect on April 1. USCIS Announces Rule to Increase Automatic Extension Period for Work Permits – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a temporary final rule to increase the automatic extension period for certain work permit holders from 180 days to 540 days. US ..read more

Headlines: USCIS Extends FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period to March 25 – The initial registration period will now run through noon ET on March 25, 2024. USCIS Clarifies Policy Guidance Clarified on Expedite Requests – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified how the agency considers expedite requests related to government interests and emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations, including travel-related requests. The update also clarifies how to make an expedite request and explains how USCIS processes expedite requests. DHS Extends and Redesignates Burma (Mya ..read more

Headlines: USCIS Implements Streamlined Process to Shorten Wait Times for EADs, SSNs for Refugees – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing a streamlined process to provide Employment Authorization Documents more efficiently to eligible refugees after they are admitted into the United States. USCIS will also electronically provide the Social Security Administration with the information required to assign a Social Security number and mail a Social Security card to the refugee. USCIS Issues Guidance Clarifying Anti-Discrimination Policy for USCIS Employees and Contractors Inte ..read more

  Headlines: USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2024, Announces Filing Dates for Supplemental Visas – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024. USCIS also announced the filing dates for supplemental H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2024. Visa Final Action Dates Advance in April, Non-Minister Religious Workers Category Set to Expire – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for April 2024 notes that little to no additional forward movement in final action dates for visa cat ..read more

Headlines: FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Period Opens Soon; USCIS Issues Reminders for Employers About Online Filing, Other New Requirements for Cap and Non-Cap Petitions – The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap season will open at noon ET on March 6, 2024, and run through noon ET on March 22, 2024. A USCIS online account is required to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated $10 registration fee. Certain Updated Forms Take Effect April 1 With No Grace Period – Under the new fee final rule effective April 1, 2024, the new 04 ..read more

Headlines: E-Verify to Pilot ‘Next Generation’ Service in Spring 2024 – E-Verify+ will include streamlining of Form I-9 and the employment eligibility verification process. DOS Signs MOU With Germany on Exchange Visitor Program – The Department of State has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany to allow certain German principals to come to the United States as J-1 exchange visitors. Reminder: Premium Processing Fees Will Increase February 26 – Fees for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, will increase on February 26, 2024. The increase varies by type of petition. Details ..read more

Headlines: Mayorkas Impeached; Conviction in Senate Seems Unlikely – After a previous failed attempt to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Republicans in the House of Representatives succeeded in impeaching Mr. Mayorkas on February 13. Conviction in the Senate seems highly unlikely. President Orders Deferred Enforced Departure for Palestinians in the United States – On February 14, 2024, President Biden directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Deferred Enforced Departure to Palestinians in the United States for 18 months, with some exceptions. ETA Extends C ..read more

  Headlines: Mayorkas Impeachment Attempt Fails, But Republicans May Try Again After Killing Proposed Bipartisan Bill to Address Border Issues – On February 6, 2024, Republicans in the House of Representatives tried but failed to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In the same week as the impeachment vote, Senate Republicans killed a border security bill. USCIS Releases FY 2023 Data and Highlights of FY 2024 Plans – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released end-of-fiscal-year 2023 data and highlights of its plans for FY 2024. EOIR to Transition to DOJ Logi ..read more

Headlines: USCIS Announces Registration Period, Instructions, and Updates for FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season will open at noon ET on March 6, 2024, and run through noon ET on March 22, 2024. USCIS Issues Final Rule With New Filing Fees – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a final rule, effective April 1, 2024, to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. The final rule includes fee increases for various categories. Global: The ..read more