04/02/25
USCIS Updates Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
There is a new revised Form I-9 with an edition date of 01/20/25 and an expiration date of 05/31/27. The multiple previous editions remain valid until their expiration dates. This new edition revises the descriptions of acceptable documents and replaces the word “non-citizen” with “alien”.
04/03/25
Halt on Venezuela’s TPS Termination Provides Temporary Relief
As a result of the U.S. District Court’s decision to halt the termination of Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation, USCIS is reverting to the original 18-month extension that was announced on January 17, 2025. This extension lasts from April 3, 2025, to October 2, 2026. The re-registration period is open until September 10, 2025, and employment authorization under TPS will automatically be extended through April 2, 2026. The duration of the postponement remains unknown. Call us if you have any questions about how this may affect your status.
03/31/25
Federal Judge Issues Temporary Pause on Venezuela TPS Termination Attempt
A U.S. District Court judge in California issued a temporary halt to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans. DHS had originally planned to terminate TPS for Venezuelans on April 7, 2025; however, because of this Court order, Venezuelans with TPS benefits under the 2023 designation will receive an automatic extension of employment authorization through April 2, 2026, according to a TPS extension granted during the final days of the Biden Administration.
03/31/25
USCIS Completes FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection
USCIS has sent out selections for this year’s (FY 2026) lottery cases. Look out for selection emails! Note, there is a 90-day filing deadline from selection. Some foreign nationals (including students, individuals with soon-to-expire work authorization, and those with TPS) will need to file sooner to avoid status gaps and to minimize employment gaps.
3/10/25
U.S. Department of State Updates the Drop Box Interview Criteria for Visa Renewals
Some consulates are changing the drop box visa appointment criteria when foreign nationals renew their visas abroad. Many consulates now require an interview (rather than use of drop box) where the visa being renewed has expired more than 12 months ago, or when a different visa classification is requested. Employees should book their visa renewal appointments early, check the consulate websites here www.usembassy.gov for updates, and be ready for extra scrutiny.
2/28/25
New Grounds for Issuing Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Cases Involving Inadmissible and Deportable Noncitizens
Employees who were/are on work visas (like H-1, L-1, O-1, TN, E-2 etc.) and have a pending I-485 green card, should consider renewing and maintaining non-immigrant status until the green card is issued. New USCIS policy states it will often start removal (deportation) proceedings when someone has an application denied and no other status. However, speak to your immigration attorney before filing anything, particularly if renewal requires a visa appointment abroad.
02/05/2025
USCIS Issues Guidance on I-9s for Venezuelan TPS Beneficiaries
USCIS announced that EADs with a Category Code of A12 or C19 for 2021 TPS Venezuela beneficiaries expiring on March 10, 2024, or September 9, 2022, will expire on March 10, 2025. Employers must reverify these EADs before employees begin work on March 11, 2025. EADs for 2023 TPS Venezuela beneficiaries expiring on April 2, 2025, must be reverified before work begins on April 3, 2025.