People may encounter financial difficulties when it is time to pay fees for applications filed with U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services. In some situations, an applicant may qualify for a fee waiver. Applying for immigration benefits in the United States generally requires that the petitioner or applicant pay a fee. […]
Parole Extension for Afghans (I-131 Form)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that the agency will extend the initial parole granted to Afghan children under age 14 on 26 September 2023. The extension applies to Afghan children paroled by Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) between 30 July 2021 through 30 September 2022 with an OAR […]
DHS Rescinded Matter of Z-R-Z-C
On 1 July 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (also known as “DHS”) issued a Policy Alert and Policy Memorandum (PM-602-0188). In the Policy Memorandum, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded Matter of Z-R-Z-C as binding authority upon U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Rescinding Matter of Z-R-Z-C affects […]
AILA Advocates to Repeal Matter of Z-R-Z-C
The Administrative Appeals Office issued the Matter of Z-R-Z-C decision on 20 August 2020. This decision decreases green card eligibility for some temporary protected status beneficiaries. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) adopted Matter of Z-R-Z-C as policy guidance for USCIS officers. On 12 May 2022, the American Immigration Lawyers […]
Extending Work Authorization (I-765 Form) Validity Period
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) decided to exercise its discretion and extend the work authorization validity periods. Rather than issue an employment authorization card (“EAD card”) with a 1-year validity period, USCIS will issue EAD cards with 2-year validity periods after 7 February 2022. This policy change impacts […]
Changes to the Admission Codes for E and L Dependents
Effective 31 January 2022, foreign nationals arriving in E and L dependent status will receive new admission codes on the I-94 Form. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) will admit spouses and children using the following codes. An E-1 spouse’s I-94 Form will show E-1S, and the child’s will state […]
AILA President Discusses Discriminatory Immigration Practices
On 17 February 2022, Allen Orr, the president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), spoke to MSNBC. He talked about the discriminatory and inequitable practices and policies impacting African diaspora migrants seeking relief or benefits in the United States. For example, Mr. Orr specifically identified the United State Government’s […]
Work authorization for H-4 and L-2 spouses and spouses in E status.
On 10 November 2021, litigants and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security executed a settlement agreement in Shergill v. Mayorkas, Case No. 21-cv-1296-RSM (W.D. Washington). The settlement agreement impacts employment authorization (I-765 Form) for H-4 and L-2 nonimmigrant spouses. On 12 November 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a […]
USCIS Deadline Extension
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) extended the filing deadline to respond to agency requests or decisions. The deadline extension applies to USCIS decisions, notices, and requests issued between 1 March 2020 through 15 January 2022. The deadline extension applies to requests for evidence, continuations to request evidence (N-14), notices […]
Extensions to Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”)
In response to preliminary injunctions, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced status extensions applying to foreign nationals in temporary protected status (“TPS”). The extensions also apply to employment authorization, I-94 Forms, and I-797 Forms. The extensions for the I-94 and I-797 Forms apply to TPS beneficiaries, who timely […]