On June 14, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced new policy guidance has been added to its Policy Manual addressing the eligibility criteria for the issuance of employment authorization documents in compelling circumstances. Classified as those circumstances which are “beyond the usual hardship associated with job loss”, Volume 10 of the USCIS Policy Manual, details what foreign nationals must show in order to be eligible for an initial Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”) based on compelling circumstances.
Read moreUSCIS Policy Manual Update Related to Filing Deadlines Falling on Weekends and Federal Holidays
In its pursuit to increase flexibility related to filing deadlines, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced a Policy Manual update regarding filings and responses whose due dates fall on Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays. Effective immediately, USCIS will consider a filing or response submitted on paper timely filed if it is received “by the end of the next business day” after the weekend or federal holiday. The Service notes that although the receipt date for these cases will continue to “reflect the date USCIS physically received the request, USCIS will consider the benefit request timely filed.”
Read moreUSCIS Updates Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants
As of December 12, 2022, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its policy manual to provide twenty four month automatic extensions to Green Card expirations to Lawful Permanent Residents (“LPRs”) applying for naturalization when they properly file an N-400, Application for Naturalization. The automatic extension applies to those LPRs filing N-400s on or after the 12th of December 2022.
Read more