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policies between January 2017 and March 2024

110 Policies

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Current Status
  1. January 2021

    1. January 12, 2021

      USCIS replaces sticker that extends validity of permanent resident cards

      Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. December 2020

    1. December 15, 2020

      USCIS expands interview requirements for refugee/asylee adjustment of status

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugeesImmigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. November 2020

    1. November 23, 2020

      USCIS updates policy on disability accommodations for naturalization applicants

      Naturalization USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. November 18, 2020

      USCIS to require I-730 petitioners to appear for interview

      RefugeesAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualRescinded Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
    3. November 2, 2020

      USCIS releases instructions on filing Form I-589 asylum applications with the Asylum Vetting Center

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2020

    1. October 6, 2020

      USCIS issues guidance on TPS and eligibility for adjustment of status

      TPSImmigrant Visas USCISAG Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
  1. September 2020

    1. September 2, 2020

      USCIS revises guidance regarding forms and fees to align with USCIS fee rule

      Immigrant VisasNon-Immigrant VisasHumanitarianNaturalization USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in PracticeForms and Information CollectionRule
  1. August 2020

    1. August 21, 2020

      USCIS updates its policy manual with guidance on terminating asylee status at adjustment of status

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICEEOIR Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. August 21, 2020

      USCIS implements DHS guidance to reject, restrict, and shorten DACA program

      EnforcementDACA CBPICEUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
  1. July 2020

    1. July 21, 2020

      USCIS reduces capacity to print green cards and employment authorization documents

      Immigrant VisasNon-Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. June 2020

    1. June 8, 2020

      ICE informs SEVP-certified schools of a revised H-1B registration process and F-1 cap-gap extensions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Student ICEUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. May 2020

    1. May 6, 2020

      USCIS allows military personnel and veterans to file naturalization applications online

      Citizenship USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. April 2020

    1. April 27, 2020

      COVID-19: DOS postpones Entrance Status Check for Diversity Visa applicants

      Immigrant Visas: Diversity CBPUSCISDOS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. April 13, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS announces delay in data entry and receipt notice generation for H-1B petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Expired Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. March 2020

    1. March 30, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS Continues Processing Applications for Employment Authorization Extension Requests Despite Closures

      Non-Immigrant VisasImmigrant Visas USCIS Expired Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. March 24, 2020

      COVID-19: OFLC announces issuance of electronic PERM labor certifications

      Labor USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. March 24, 2020

      USCIS changes intake process for Form I-914, rejects incomplete forms

      U/T/VAWA USCIS Final/Actual Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection
    4. March 20, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS announces flexibility in submitting required signatures during COVID-19 national emergency

      HumanitarianImmigrant VisasNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
    5. March 19, 2020

      Reported, COVID-19: Trump administration temporarily pausing refugee admissions

      Refugees USCISBureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ReportedExpired Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    6. March 18, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS temporarily closes offices until at least April 7th

      Hearings and Adjudications USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    7. March 17, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS temporarily suspends in-person services

      Asylum, Withholding and CATCitizenship USCIS Rescinded Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. February 2020

    1. February 26, 2020

      DOJ announces OIL unit dedicated to denaturalization cases

      Hearings and AdjudicationsNaturalizationCitizenship USCISDOJ Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. February 24, 2020

      Reported: USCIS hiring freeze for positions related to programs for legal immigrants

      Immigrant Visas USCIS Reported Change in Practice
    3. February 19, 2020

      USCIS opens application period for new status for long-term residents of CNMI

      HumanitarianImmigrant Visas USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. February 14, 2020

      USCIS Suspends H-1B Pre-Paid Mailer

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. January 2020

    1. January 31, 2020

      USCIS shifts to requiring citizens residing abroad to file Form I-130 online except in very limited circumstances

      Immigrant Visas: Family-BasedCitizenship USCISDOS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. January 23, 2020

      USCIS rejects certain application forms for incompleteness if any fields are left blank

      Asylum, Withholding and CATU/T/VAWA USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. December 2019

    1. December 26, 2019

      USCIS begins accepting green card applications under Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program

      Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual AdjudicationChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. December 6, 2019

      Reported: EOIR expands use of "tent courts" along Southern Border

      HumanitarianAsylum, Withholding and CATBorderHearings and Adjudications USCISEOIRCBPICE Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. November 2019

    1. November 21, 2019

      Reported: USCIS threatens consequences for staff leaking information

      Humanitarian USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. November 6, 2019

      DHS begins implementing the Humanitarian Asylum Review Program

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderHearings and Adjudications USCISCBPEOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice
  1. October 2019

    1. October 15, 2019

      USCIS clarifies requirements for Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification

      Immigrant Visas: Special ImmigrantMinorsHumanitarian USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. October 7, 2019

      DHS begins implementing the Prompt Asylum Claim Review program

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderDetentionHearings and Adjudications CBPUSCISEOIR Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice
  1. September 2019

    1. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2019

    1. August 28, 2019

      U.S. and El Salvador sign letter of cooperation to reduce border migration

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICECBP Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. August 27, 2019

      DHS moves $155M from disaster relief to immigration enforcement

      BorderDetentionAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICEFEMA Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. August 9, 2019

      USCIS announces closure of Seoul office

      Citizenship USCISDOS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. August 9, 2019

      USCIS plans to close several international field offices

      Immigrant VisasCitizenship DOSUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. July 2019

    1. July 30, 2019

      United States and Guatemala sign agreements on H-2 nonimmigrant visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. July 26, 2019

      USCIS issues guidance regarding asylum and internal relocation

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. July 26, 2019

      H-2B petitioners must include FLAG system temporary labor certification final determination with Form I-129

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. July 24, 2019

      DHS begins conducting on-site inspections of F-1 STEM OPT employment

      Workplace EnforcementNon-Immigrant Visas: Student ICEUSCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    5. July 9, 2019

      Asylum seekers given less time to prepare for credible fear interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS In LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    6. July 8, 2019

      Report: Immigration Officials Use Secretive Gang Databases to Deny Asylum Claims

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorderInterior ICECBPUSCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    7. July 8, 2019

      The Under Secretary of State re-delegates authority to invoke privilege related to refugee vetting

      RefugeesBorder Bureau of Population, Refugees, and MigrationUSCISCBP Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. June 2019

    1. June 17, 2019

      USCIS will transfer some green card and naturalization cases to field offices

      Immigrant VisasNaturalization USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. June 7, 2019

      United States and Mexico sign joint statement on immigration enforcement

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCISICECBPDOS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. May 2019

    1. May 31, 2019

      USCIS updates procedures for unaccompanied children's asylum applications

      MinorsAsylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. Current Status

      Partially in effect
    3. May 2, 2019

      Border Patrol agents will conduct and decide credible fear claims

      BorderAsylum, Withholding and CAT CBPUSCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. April 2019

    1. April 30, 2019

      Asylum interviewers will no longer be trained to consider lack of asylum seekers' evidence

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS In LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
    2. April 25, 2019

      CBP Further Restricts Canadian L-1 Applications at the Border

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based CBPUSCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. April 1, 2019

      USCIS launches H-1B data hub

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. April 1, 2019

      USCIS denies H-1B petitions at higher rates

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. March 2019

    1. March 12, 2019

      USCIS to close most of its international field offices

      HumanitarianImmigrant VisasCitizenship USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. March 1, 2019

      USCIS makes unannounced Form I-730 processing changes, referring certain petitions to ICE

      Asylum, Withholding and CATRefugees ICEUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2019

    1. February 26, 2019

      DOL plans to randomize processing of H-2B visa applications, rather than first-come-first-serve

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. February 14, 2019

      USCIS tightens legal marriage requirement for refugee RE-2 derivative spouses

      Refugees USCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
    3. February 11, 2019

      USCIS requires biometrics for all applicants submitting Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

      Non-Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/ActualRescinded Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection
  1. January 2019

    1. January 29, 2019

      USCIS announces online filing for forms N-600 and N-600K

      Citizenship USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. January 1, 2019

      USCIS requests transfer of over $200 million to ICE for immigration enforcement purposes

      Interior ICEUSCIS ProposedRescinded Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. December 2018

    1. December 21, 2018

      EOIR issues guidance on Pereira v. Sessions, announcing changes in NTA filings and case scheduling

      Hearings and Adjudications EOIRUSCISICECBP Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. December 21, 2018

      USCIS eliminates certain Service Center e-mail addresses

      Non-Immigrant VisasImmigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. December 20, 2018

      DHS promulgates the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISICE Final/ActualIn Litigation Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. November 2018

    1. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2018

    1. October 30, 2018

      USCIS phases out self-scheduled Infopass appointments

      Immigrant VisasCitizenship USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. October 30, 2018

      USCIS announces expansion of InfoMod program

      USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. October 26, 2018

      ICE changes unemployment calculations for students while on post-completion/STEM OPT

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Student ICEUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. October 16, 2018

      USCIS revises validity of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

      Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection
    5. October 3, 2018

      USCIS begins administering naturalization test through digital tablet

      Citizenship USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2018

    1. August 29, 2018

      Reports of denials of passports to US citizens born near Mexican border

      Citizenship USCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. August 13, 2018

      USCIS coordinates with ICE to arrest individuals at interviews

      Interior ICEUSCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. July 2018

    1. July 25, 2018

      Report that USCIS has increased rates of RFEs and denials of H-1B and L-1 petitions.

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice
    2. July 20, 2018

      Report: DHS increasing deportation and detention of U-1 status applicants

      U/T/VAWANon-Immigrant Visas ICEUSCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. July 11, 2018

      Reports of possible safe-third country agreement with Mexico

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. June 2018

    1. June 19, 2018

      DHS reportedly increasing its use of medical records in asylum determinations in children's cases

      MinorsAsylum, Withholding and CATEnforcement USCISICEORR Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. June 11, 2018

      USCIS reportedly launches a large-scale denaturalization operation

      Citizenship USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. June 11, 2018

      USCIS extends duration for which I-751 and I-829 form receipts can be used as evidence of continued status from 12 months to 18 months

      Immigrant Visas: Family-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. June 11, 2018

      Reported: Visas for Chinese students and researchers in sensitive areas restricted

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Student USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. May 2018

    1. May 31, 2018

      USCIS announces lottery for H-2B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. May 30, 2018

      USCIS launches first phase of new FOIA request system allowing digital access to records

      Immigrant VisasNon-Immigrant VisasHumanitarianCitizenship USCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in PracticeForms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. May 29, 2018

      USCIS removes asylum officer training documents from USCIS website

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. May 2, 2018

      USCIS uses lottery to allocate FY19 CW-1 visas for Northern Mariana Islands

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2018

    1. April 27, 2018

      CBP's metering policy is confirmed through litigation

      Asylum, Withholding and CATBorder CBPUSCISEOIR Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Agency DirectiveChange in Practice
    2. April 24, 2018

      USCIS Phoenix Lockbox begins accepting Form N-565

      Naturalization USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. April 23, 2018

      DHS agencies reportedly advocate detention and prosecution of parents

      Border CBPICEUSCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. April 4, 2018

      USCIS reports efforts to narrow eligibility for nonimmigrant worker programs

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. March 2018

    1. March 30, 2018

      USCIS and CBP establish pilot program on immediate admissibility determination for Canadian L-1 applicants

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based CBPUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. March 16, 2018

      Reports that USCIS plans to establish internal office to police and reprimand employees

      Immigrant VisasCitizenship USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. March 10, 2018

      State Department announces New Delhi consulate will cease to issue certain family-related visas

      Immigrant Visas: Family-Based USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. March 1, 2018

      USCIS begins denying SIJ status to 18-20 year olds

      MinorsImmigrant Visas: Special Immigrant USCISState & Local Entities Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/Vacated Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. February 2018

    1. February 1, 2018

      USCIS announces additional extreme vetting measures for "following-to-join" refugees

      Refugees USCISICECBPBureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. January 2018

    1. January 29, 2018

      DHS announces new extreme vetting measures for refugees

      Refugees Bureau of Population, Refugees, and MigrationUSCISDOJOther Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. January 26, 2018

      USCIS announces "last in-first out" processing for affirmative asylum interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. January 4, 2018

      Visa approvals for family preference categories fall significantly in FY 2017

      Immigrant Visas: Family-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. November 2017

    1. November 16, 2017

      DOS restricts visas for certain Cambodian officials

      Non-Immigrant Visas USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2017

    1. October 26, 2017

      ICE imposes new removal deadline on noncitizens with pending U visa applications

      U/T/VAWANon-Immigrant VisasInterior ICEUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. September 2017

    1. September 19, 2017

      Report that USCIS increases RFEs for H-1B petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. September 19, 2017

      DOJ files denaturalization complaints against 3 U.S. citizens

      Citizenship USCISDOJ Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. September 18, 2017

      DHS publishes notice of DACA rescission in Federal Register

      DACA USCIS In LitigationRescinded Change in Practice
    4. September 18, 2017

      Immigration attorneys report that USCIS is now conducting site visits for L-1B visa holders

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2017

    1. August 28, 2017

      USCIS expands required in-person interviews for certain permanent residency applicants

      Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedImmigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
    2. August 27, 2017

      Reported: Administration considers removing programs from J-1 visa eligibility

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. August 1, 2017

      Reported: USCIS denies applications for advance parole where applicant leaves U.S. while application pending

      Non-Immigrant VisasImmigrant Visas USCIS Rescinded Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. June 2017

    1. June 26, 2017

      USCIS publishes new version of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

      Immigrant Visas USCIS Final/Actual Change in PracticeForms and Information Collection
  1. April 2017

    1. April 12, 2017

      Draft DHS progress report on EO 13767 implementation

      InteriorBorderDetention CBPICEUSCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2017

    1. February 13, 2017

      USCIS raises standard for initial credible fear and reasonable fear interviews

      Asylum, Withholding and CAT USCIS Final/ActualIn Litigation Change in Practice