Latest News

USCIS Announces Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Opportunities

Fee-funded grants will support citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program that will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.

USCIS Continues to Expand Digital Delivery of FOIA Requests

USCIS is introducing the second phase of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST), which will allow all FOIA requestors to track their requests through a USCIS online account and receive their documents digitally. During the first phase, requestors reported that they could easily login to their account and download their documents.

Phase two now allows all FOIA requestors to create a USCIS online account, track their cases, and receive their responses electronically.

Attorneys and Accredited Representatives Can Now File Form N-565 Online

If you are an attorney or accredited representative, you can now file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document for your clients using your myUSCIS online account. There are no substantive changes to the content of the form.

USCIS will no longer provide paper copies of Form N-565. You can file this form online or download a copy from the website.

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for Certain Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a policy memorandum (PDF, 113 KB) (PM) that provides guidance to USCIS adjudicators regarding their discretion to deny an application, petition, or request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) when required initial evidence was not submitted or the evidence of record fails to establish eligibility. 

USCIS to Recall 800 Incorrectly Printed Employment Authorization Documents

On June 21, 2018, USCIS will begin recalling approximately 800 Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were issued in conjunction with Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, which were granted by USCIS asylum officers. The cards contain a production error that transposed the first and last names of the individuals receiving the EADs. These cards were mailed to recipients in April and May 2018.

PERM Appeals Submission and Practice Tips

What is the PERM Appeal Process?

Per 20 CFR 656.24(g), it is an opportunity for an employer to request a Certifying Officer (CO) reconsider denial of an PERM labor certification application (ETA Form 9089)  Per 20 CFR 656.26, it is an opportunity for an employer to directly request BALCA review a CO’s decision to deny an ETA Form 9089.

For more details please click the link for the presentation: