New Processing Time Method for Orphan and Hague Applications and Petitions

Starting in mid-November, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will change how we calculate processing times for orphan and Hague cases. These changes provide stakeholders better information about the total time it may take to receive a decision on their...

ACICS Loss of Recognition May Affect Certain Students Applying for English Language Study and 24-month STEM OPT Extension Programs, H-1B, and I-140 Applicants

On Aug. 19, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigration-related student programs:...

USCIS Will Only Consider CW-1 Petitions Approved and with Starting Validity on or after June 18, 2020, when Applying the Temporary Departure Requirement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is clarifying its Aug. 25, 2020, policy on implementing the requirement that workers leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa classification. Effective...

DHS Designates Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months

News release originally published by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS Designates Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months Release Date WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ethiopia for...

USCIS Form and Policy Updates Remove Barriers to Naturalization for Applicants with Disabilities

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced updated policy guidance to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Consistent with this administration’s goal of removing...