In recent years, support for a pathway to legal status for undocumented people has become increasingly popular, especially because many are essential workers and have community ties such as spouses and children. FWD.us polling has shown that the majority of the U.S. public favor creating a pathway to legalization, ensuring the stability that undocumented families …
Continue reading Proposed Congressional Bills Offer Paths to Legal Immigration Status
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in coordination with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Croatia as a new participant in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Starting no later than December 1, 2021, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Croatia to apply to travel to …
If Congress and the President don't reach an agreement on the budget by September 30, 2021, the government will shut down on Friday. That means all but essential government employees will be furloughed and not allowed to work. Consequently, many government services will be available. Immigration services are generally not affected because they are funded …
Continue reading What Happens to Immigration if the Government Shuts Down
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by welcoming 21,000 new citizens in 335 naturalization ceremonies across the country between Sept. 17 and 23. “It is an honor to welcome so many new Americans this Citizenship Day and Constitution Day,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Citizenship Day …
Starting October 1st, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all green card applicants and refugees. Vaccination requirements for immigration are not new. In fact, proof of many other vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are required when applying for a green card. Procedurally, an …
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the automatic extension of TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. TPS beneficiaries from these six countries will retain their status, provided they continue to meet all the individual requirements for TPS eligibility. The automatic extension of TPS-related documentation includes Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) …
Have you ever had an interaction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), during which you believe your civil rights and civil liberties were infringed? Did you know that you can file a formal complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)? The CRCL supports DHS by ensuring civil rights and …
Starting Sept. 4, 2021, USCIS is extending the time that receipt notices can be used to show evidence of status from 18 months to 24 months 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. We are making the change …
Did you know that the USCIS has an official ombudsman? The CIS Ombudsman’s Office works with applicants to improve the quality of citizenship/immigration services by helping applicants with resolving certain case issues. The current seventh Ombudsman is Phyllis Coven. Her office can help with: Cases that are taking longer than the estimated processing timeTypographic errors …
Continue reading How to Request USCIS Ombudsman’s Individual Case Assistance
The Department of Justice announced today that it reached a settlement with Ascension Health Alliance (Ascension), a Missouri-based health care organization with more than 2,600 sites – including 146 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The settlement resolves the department’s claims that Ascension violated the Immigration …
Ann Massey Badmus 