In a recent update, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its Policy Manual to provide more flexibility for nonimmigrants facing challenges in filing timely extension of stay or change of status requests. USCIS, at its discretion and under specific conditions, may now excuse delays in filing if they are due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-guidance-on-untimely-filed-extension-of-stay-and-change-of-status-requests

In a groundbreaking move, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to launch a suite of customer experience enhancements for the upcoming H-1B cap season, geared towards boosting efficiency and facilitating seamless collaboration for organizations and their legal representatives.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-to-launch-organizational-accounts-enabling-online-collaboration-and-submission-of-h-1b

Several House Republicans insist on a border deal mirroring last year’s immigration bill passed in the House. For more information:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/17/politics/johnson-immigration-deal-house-senate/index.html

Texas Attorney General defied federal officials’ demand to abandon a seized U.S.-Mexico border park by state National Guard soldiers last week. For more information :

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-border-us-mexico-ken-paxton-attorney-general/

Research suggests that there is indeed a lot of “systemic pressure” on immigration courts: for more information:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/these-states-have-the-largest-immigration-court-backlogs

Congress negotiates a deal on the surge in southern border crossings, revealing a significant backlog in immigration courts by Syracuse University researchers. For more information:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/these-states-have-the-largest-immigration-court-backlogs

A regulation revising visa application charges for immigrants and temporary foreign laborers, the first adjustment since 2016, is currently being examined at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. For more information

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/plan-to-hike-visa-application-fees-under-white-house-review

Republicans point to the historically high number of migrant encounters recorded by border officials as evidence, contrasting it with lower apprehension figures under past administrations. For more information:

USCIS issues guidance on F and M student classifications, outlining its role in processing applications for various purposes in the United States. For more information:

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-for-international-students