On June 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new initiative aimed at providing a pathway to lawful permanent residency for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens. This process is designed to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests from...
Category: U.S. Citizen / Naturalization
Potential Parole-in-Place Program for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens
There are rumors of a new Parole-in-Place (PiP) program for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, but no official announcement has been made yet. If implemented, this program could provide protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible individuals. However, not everyone married to a U.S. citizen would automatically qualify.
Introduction of Updated Form N-400 for Naturalization Applications
Starting April 1, 2024, the USCIS is set to introduce an updated version of Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, aligning with the new fee rule. This revised form will feature significant changes, including the addition of a gender X option to acknowledge diverse gender identities, while also eliminating various other fields....
Streamlining Naturalization: USCIS Expands EBE Program for Social Security Updates
Starting April 1, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expand the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program to include the new edition of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Applicants using the form with an edition date of April 1, 2024, can now request an original or replacement Social Security number (SSN)...
USCIS 2024 Fee Update: Navigating New Costs and Processes for Immigration and Naturalization Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.
The final...
USCIS Message: Guidance for N-400 Applicants
International Students to Be Subject to Increased Scrutiny Upon Return to the U.S.
According to an internal memorandum from a senior official at Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all F-1 visa holders seeking admission to the United States will now have the validity of their student status checked by a border agent prior to being...
The Three- and Ten-Year Bars: How New Rules Expand Eligibility for Waivers
Starting December 23, 2016, applicants must use only the 12/23/16 edition of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. USCIS will reject earlier versions of the form after that date. Applications postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23 must also include the new fees or USCIS will not be able to accept them.
Special Note for...
USCIS REDESIGNS CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATES
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Form N-565, Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document, and Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), can be filed online.
Applicants use Form N-565 to replace a naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or a repatriation...
USCIS Expands Online Filing: Applicants Can Now Request Replacement Naturalization Certificate and Naturalization Hearing Online
Applicants can file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization online through their USCIS online account. When they use the interactive Form N-400, applicants will see questions, alerts, and notifications specific to the answers they provide while completing the form. Applicants will also see prompts and reminders to upload required evidence. This means each person...
USCIS USING TABLETS TO ADMINISTER THE ENGLISH READING AND WRITING TESTS FOR NATURALIZATION.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization, following a successful pilot in four USCIS field offices and one service center. The redesign of these eight certificates is one of the many ways USCIS is working to combat fraud and safeguard the legal immigration system.
USCIS piloted the...