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Congress has recently passed laws relating to certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees that have included language providing that parolees covered by the legislation “…shall be eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157)….” Under DHS regulations, refugees are […]

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it is extending and expanding previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. These actions will help Afghan nationals resettle, and in many cases reunite with family, in the United States by enabling USCIS to process their requests for work authorization, long-term status, status for […]

On August 19, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This loss of recognition affects two immigration-related student programs, including English language study programs and F-1 students applying for 24-month science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training extension. […]

DHS designates Ethiopia for TPS. The Department of Homeland Security has announced the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Those who are already residing in the U.S. as of Oct. 20, 2022 will be eligible for TPS. Due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia, DHS has decided […]

DHS designates Ethiopia for TPS. The Department of Homeland Security has announced the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Those who are already residing in the U.S. as of Oct. 20, 2022 will be eligible for TPS. Due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia, DHS has decided […]

USCIS has issued policy guidance in its manual based on the vacatur of the EB-5 Modernization Rule and the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Policy highlights include removing the provisions in the EB-5 Modernization Rule that a federal court vacated on June 22, 2021. Included in the update is that now an applicant may […]

Afghan interpreters disqualified from U.S. visas. The quick exit from Afghanistan over a year ago has left many people in danger under Taliban rule. Afghan interpreters who are considered “blacklisted” claim they were unjustly barred from receiving U.S. visas promised to Afghans who helped the U.S. Advocacy groups such as the International Refugee Assistance Project resulting in thousands […]

Effective Sept. 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green […]

The Biden administration finalized a new public charge rule on Thursday that would eliminate Trump-era policies that penalized low-income immigrants seeking health benefits and other services. To read more, click the link: https://mainebeacon.com/biden-ends-trump-era-public-charge-rule-targeting-maines-poorest-most-vulnerable-immigrants/

Source: https://www.axios.com/2022/08/17/afghanistan-refugees-family-reunification The Biden administration is developing a portal to facilitate and simplify the reunification of Afghans with family members left behind in their Taliban-controlled country, three people familiar with the matter tell Axios. Why it matters: The portal would centralize what has been a piecemeal, case-by-case effort to reunify the thousands of Afghan families separated […]