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Buffalo: (716) 970-4007 | Toronto: (866) 697-1832
On March 23, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that COVID-19-related flexibilities will end on March 23, 2023. This marks an end to the flexibility USCIS provided due to the impact of COVID-19. Read the full update here.
On January 24, 2023, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued another extension to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors respond to agency requests through March 23, 2023. USCIS anticipates that this will be the final extension of these accommodations, and requesters must comply with the response requirements set forth in any request or notice dated after March 23, 2023.
On January 23, 2023, USCIS announced the extension of green cards (LPR) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. We discuss the announcement of the extension of green cards for Form I-751 and Form I-829 here.
On January 19, 2023, USCIS agreed to resume the bundling and adjudication of USCIS Form I-129 Petition for Alien Worker, USCIS Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Status, and USCIS Form I-765 Application for Work Authorization for derivatives when filed concurrently.
On January 12, 2022, USCIS announced the final phase of Form I-907 Premium Processing expansion for Form I-140 under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. We discuss this final phase and what is covered in this announcement here.
On January 3, 2023, USCIS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to adjust certain fees and procedures that would aim to decrease processing times and prevent future case backlogs.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides the public the right to request records from any federal agency, including US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS is required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under an exception that protects interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement. We discuss a USCIS FOIA and how to file one here.
On October 24, 2022, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued another extension to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors respond to agency requests through Jan. 24, 2022. With this extension, USCIS has indicated that this will likely be the final extension of these flexibilities. Read more about this USCIS update here.
When you file a USCIS Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status to a US Permanent Resident (Green Card) along with USICS Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and USCIS Form I-131 Application for Travel Authorization concurrently (At the same time), USCIS will adjudicate the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization first. If approved, USCIS will issue the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) without joint travel authorization. They will then adjudicate Form I-131 Application for Travel Authorization separately.
On October 7, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual as a result of a settlement agreement in Calixto to v. Department of the Army, Civ. A. No. 18-1551 (PLF) (D.D.C.), known as the Calixto Agreement. Effective Sept. 22, 2022, the U.S. Army agreed to certify Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, for Calixto class members.