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Immigration Bulletin

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a six-month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extension for South Sudan from May 4, 2025, through November 3, 2025. Certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) categories with original expiration dates of November 3, 2023, and May 3, 2025, will also be extended through November 3, 2025. Contact Antonini & Cohen if you have questions about your TPS eligibility.

DHS has reinstated the F-1 status of the many F-1 students who fell out of status because of the SEVIS terminations. For employers looking to rehire affected F-1 OPT or CPT employees, we recommend HR teams have the employee obtain verification from the Designated Student Officer (DSO) confirming the reinstatement of SEVIS.

DHS has revoked visas and/or terminated SEVIS records of hundreds of F-1 international students due to alleged criminal activity or social media posts viewed as supporting terrorist organizations. Many students are contesting these findings in lawsuits and reinstatement requests, saying they do not have criminal convictions or other ineligibilities. Visa revocation restricts travel but does not necessarily terminate status or work authorization. However, SEVIS termination does terminate employment authorization, even when a reinstatement request is pending. Contact us immediately if you are impacted.

The U.S. Department of State has just released the new visa bulletin for May 2025. Check out the new priority dates for your Green Card application.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Department of State has just released the new visa bulletin for April 2025. Check out the new priority dates for your Green Card application.

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.