USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

Release Date: 03/24/2021

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors who are responding to certain:

• Requests for Evidence;

• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);

• Notices of Intent to Deny;

• Notices of Intent to Revoke;

• Notices of Intent to Rescind;

• Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers; and

• Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-extends-flexibility-for-responding-to-agency-requests-4

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Withdraws ‘Affidavit of Support’ Proposed Rule

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the withdrawal of the affidavit of support proposed rule, consistent with DHS’s commitment to reduce barriers within the legal immigration system that placed increased burdens on American families wishing to sponsor individuals immigrating to the U.S.

The Oct. 2, 2020, proposed rule would have changed the evidentiary requirements for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents wishing to sponsor an individual immigrating to the U.S. by completing an affidavit of support under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) on behalf of the intending immigrant.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/dhs-withdraws-affidavit-of-support-proposed-rule

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS May Reopen H-1B Petitions Denied Under Three Rescinded Policy Memos

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced it may reopen and/or reconsider adverse decisions on Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, made based on three rescinded policy memos.

USCIS will generally use its discretion to accept a motion to reopen filed more than 30 days after the decision, if filed before the end of the validity period requested on the petition or labor condition application, whichever is earlier, and the decision was based on one or more policies in the rescinded H-1B memoranda below. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-may-reopen-h-1b-petitions-denied-under-three-rescinded-policy-memos

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.