24 Oct 2019

DOS Rule on Determining Visa Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register, entitled Visas: Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds. Once this interim final rule goes into effect, it will greatly expand the categories of public benefits considered...

11 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction Against Enforcement of Public Charge Rule

This afternoon, a federal district court judge issued a nationwide injunction against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from enforcing the new public charge rule. The public charge rule had been scheduled to go into effect on October 15, 2019.The injunction specifically prohibits the...

10 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! New USCIS Forms with New Public Charge Rule Required as of 15 Oct 2019

The new versions of forms I-129, I-539, I-864, and I-485 were posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website yesterday. The new I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency) form has also been put up. These forms now include the updated public charge rule. The USCIS...

26 Sep 2019

Policy Change Impacts Citizenship of Certain Children Born Outside the U.S.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released policy guidance, effective October 29, 2019, modifying certain residency requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship. Notably, this policy impacts children born abroad to U.S. government employees and U.S. armed forces members. Under the new policy guidance, "children...

17 Sep 2019

Proposed Rule to End H-4 EAD Program Delayed Until At Least Spring 2020

On September 16, 2019, representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) submitted a filing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, indicating that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is still actively working on a rule to terminate...