Tag

Uscis

All articles tagged with #uscis

immigration1 month ago

Asylum cases at risk as fee notices miss delivery due to glitches

Advocates warn that notification problems with a new $100 asylum-fee system could trigger automatic case dismissal for unpaid fees, even when applicants never receive notices. USCIS says it sent millions of notices with hundreds of thousands paid and thousands failed; a court granted a temporary stay as lawsuits challenge the policy, while the fee consequences continue to affect asylum seekers and their work permits amid a broader immigration crackdown.

Federal judge blocks Trump bid to revoke work permits for TPS holders
law1 month ago

Federal judge blocks Trump bid to revoke work permits for TPS holders

A U.S. federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking work authorizations for tens of thousands of asylum seekers and TPS holders from El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine, delaying USCIS policy changes while a lawsuit challenges them; the injunction keeps work permits active during the case, with a longer-term ruling expected by August 5.

politics2 months ago

Backlog Delays Put Dreamers at Risk as DACA Renewals Slow

A widening backlog at USCIS is delaying DACA renewal approvals, leaving hundreds of Dreamers in legal limbo who rely on work permits to stay employed and in the U.S. TheDream.US study found renewals have slowed markedly since fall 2025, with projections showing it could take months to clear the queue. Democrats allege the slowdown is a tactic tied to the White House’s immigration stance, while Republicans say reform is needed but faces major obstacles on a divided Congress. Business groups warn the delays hurt American companies that depend on Dreamers. USCIS says it is conducting thorough screenings and reminds that DACA does not confer legal status; while Trump previously sought to end DACA, he has not reinitiated that effort in office, though the policy remains politically contentious and a bipartisan DIGNITY Act remains stalled in Congress.

Rhode Island Court Finds Travel-Ban Benefit Freeze Unlawful, Vacates Policy
law2 months ago

Rhode Island Court Finds Travel-Ban Benefit Freeze Unlawful, Vacates Policy

A Rhode Island federal court vacated the Trump administration's policy that froze work permits, green cards, and other benefits for applicants from roughly 40 travel-ban countries, ruling the move violated the Administrative Procedure Act and causing widespread harm to immigrants already in the U.S.; the judge also struck down related asylum holds and the country-specific factors policy, rejecting government justifications and motives.

Court halts Trump-era freeze on U.S. immigration benefits for 39 countries
politics2 months ago

Court halts Trump-era freeze on U.S. immigration benefits for 39 countries

A Rhode Island federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to freeze work permits, green cards, citizenship applications and other immigration benefits for noncitizens from 39 countries affected by the travel bans, ruling the measures unlawfully targeted people based on nationality and could leave hundreds of thousands in limbo; the decision restarts processing and requires rescheduling of naturalization ceremonies, with the government likely able to appeal to the First Circuit.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's 39-Country Immigration Benefits Freeze
immigration2 months ago

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's 39-Country Immigration Benefits Freeze

A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked the Trump administration from freezing work permits, green cards, citizenship applications and other immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries tied to the administration’s travel ban, ruling the policies unlawfully targeted people based on where they came from and citing anti-immigrant animus. The decision unpauses benefits for hundreds of thousands with pending applications and allows naturalization ceremonies to be rescheduled, though the government can appeal to the First Circuit.

USCIS Closes Domestic Green Card Path for Overstayers and Parolees
politics2 months ago

USCIS Closes Domestic Green Card Path for Overstayers and Parolees

The Trump-era policy change blocks people already in the U.S.—including visa overstayers and parolees—from routinely adjusting to permanent resident status from within the United States, potentially pushing them to apply overseas and risking re-entry bars; the move aims to curb abuse and improve system integrity, though it may affect family-based categories and create longer wait times for some applicants.

Trump plan would fast-track asylum denials without interviews
politics2 months ago

Trump plan would fast-track asylum denials without interviews

CBS News reports internal DHS documents outline a regulation that would let USCIS reject certain asylum applications without interviews if they were filed more than a year after arrival, sending those cases to immigration court for a later hearing. The move would upend decades of interviewing practice and could affect many late-filed claims, drawing concern from advocates who warn it could wrongly deport people while the backlog of asylum cases remains massive (about 1.5 million at USCIS and 3.3 million in immigration courts). Officials say they’re considering options to address fraud and delay amid ongoing border-policy disputes, including tougher scrutiny of asylum applications and sending deficient cases to court.

Administration Tries to Soften Impact of Green Card Policy Change
immigration3 months ago

Administration Tries to Soften Impact of Green Card Policy Change

Backlash over a memo that could push many green-card applicants to apply from abroad prompted DHS to frame the change as a restatement of longstanding policy, insisting it won’t prevent eligible individuals from obtaining a visa while some affected cases may be filed overseas; critics warn the move could slow legal immigration and complicate applicants’ lives.

Green Card Messaging Triggers Anxiety as Trump Policy Sparks Confusion
politics3 months ago

Green Card Messaging Triggers Anxiety as Trump Policy Sparks Confusion

A Trump administration directive suggesting that most permanent-residency applicants may have to wait abroad caused widespread confusion and anxiety for millions with pending green-card cases; DHS later backed away from the broad interpretation, framing it as a discretion reminder rather than a policy change. Immigration lawyers warn the move could curb legal immigration, trigger family separations, and contribute to a brain drain of highly skilled workers, with lawsuits likely challenging the policy.

Green Card Shake-Up: New USCIS Memo Could Force Some Immigrants to Apply from Abroad
politics3 months ago

Green Card Shake-Up: New USCIS Memo Could Force Some Immigrants to Apply from Abroad

A USCIS memo reasserts that many foreigners already in the US may have to leave the country to obtain permanent residency, pursuing green cards through consular processing rather than adjustment of status. The move has caused confusion and anxiety among visa holders, families, and immigration advocates, even as the agency says it is clarifying congressional intent and that some cases may continue on their current path depending on circumstances.

USCIS Memo Sparks Uncertainty Over Green Cards
immigration3 months ago

USCIS Memo Sparks Uncertainty Over Green Cards

Friday's USCIS memo restricting 'adjustment of status' to extraordinary circumstances rattled immigration lawyers and clients, triggering a weekend flood of questions about whether to file, wait, or travel abroad while green-card cases are in limbo. While USCIS said the guidance likely won’t affect applicants who provide an economic benefit or national interest, many tech workers, startup founders, physicians, students, and others face renewed uncertainty and potential delays in consular processing, forcing some to consider leaving the U.S. for extended periods as cases unfold.

US Green Card Rule Change Could Put 1 Million Applicants in Limbo
immigration3 months ago

US Green Card Rule Change Could Put 1 Million Applicants in Limbo

A May 21 USCIS memo (PM-602-0199) redefines adjustment of status for green cards as a discretionary process that requires applicants to show “unusual or outstanding equities,” raising the bar for those applying from within the U.S. and potentially affecting about 1 million pending I-485 cases. The shift could push many to seek visas from abroad, but the State Department has halted immigrant visa processing in 75 countries, leaving some applicants with nowhere to go and inviting legal challenges against the policy.