U.S. Immigration News and Policy Updates

On May 4, 2022, USCIS will increase the automatic extension period for eligible Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days.

On April 25, 2022, President Biden launched a new humanitarian parole program for Ukrainians who are fleeing their country due to the ongoing armed conflict.

USCIS announced that it received 483,927 fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B registrations in March 2022, which is a new record.

USCIS announced that individuals who were previously granted legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program can file renewal requests electronically.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a plan to improve efficiency and reduce immigration system burdens in the agency that have led to severe application processing backlogs.

The State Department is extending a temporary measure that allows U.S. citizens to enter the United States even if they have an expired U.S. passport.

On May 1, 2022, DHS will end a temporary policy that allows employers to accept expired List B identity documents during the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification process.

The U.S. State Department provided more details on immigrant and nonimmigrant visas processes for Ukrainian nationals impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.

DHS has announced that Ukraine has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on account of the Russian military invasion.

USCIS reached the FY 2022 H-1B cap, as announced on Feb. 28, 2022. USCIS conducted three lotteries in FY 2022, but it will not conduct a fourth lottery.

The State Department has released the June 2022 Visa Bulletin. USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart or Final Action Dates chart for employment-based and family-based categories.

Previous government shutdowns can help provide insights on how stakeholders may prepare for shutdown-related delays to immigration processing if there is a shutdown in February or beyond.

As the FY 2023 H-1B cap season quickly approaches, here are four things to know.

USCIS announced that the registration period for the FY 2023 H-1B cap season will begin at 12:00 PM EST on March 1, 2022, and end at 12:00 PM EST on March 18, 2022.

On Jan. 21, 2022, USCIS issued new policy guidance for certain O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement visas.

DHS has published a notice in the Federal Register on Jan. 21, 2022 that adds 22 new qualifying fields of study to the STEM program.

On Jan. 19, 2021, the State Department issued a final rule that exempts some immigrant visa applicants from paying visa application fees.

The State Department has released the February 2022 Visa Bulletin, which will use either the Final Action Dates or the Dates for Filing chart based on USCIS's decision.

The State Department has published a proposed rule to increase application processing fees for various visa applications at U.S. consulates around the world.

DOS and DHS will waive the in-person interview requirement for some nonimmigrant visa applicants through 2022.