USCIS Press Releases

On September 15, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and United States Immigration Services (USCIS) will handle United States immigration services and benefits, including citizenship, applications for permanent residence, non-immigrant applications, asylum, and refugee services.

United States immigration enforcement functions are now under the Department's Border and Transportation Security Directorate, and is now known as United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). RI not affiliated.

June, 2008

1. USCIS Launches Online Service to Check Status of FOIA Requests
   06/30/2008
2. USCIS Revises Instructions On Where To Submit Applications Previously Processed By Its Tijuana Field Office
   06/27/2008
3. Fact Sheet: Iraqi Refugee Processing
   06/23/2008
4. USCIS To Close Its Tijuana Field Office On July 3, 2008
   Will Stop Accepting Applications Beginning June 20
   06/18/2008
5. USCIS To Close Its Hong Kong Field Office On August 29, 2008
   Will Stop Accepting Applications Beginning June 23
   06/18/2008
6. Court Grants Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement in Northwest Immigrants Rights Project v. USCIS
   06/16/2008
7. USCIS In Des Moines Re-Opens After Evacuation Last Friday
   06/16/2008
8. USCIS in Des Moines Reaches Out To Its Customers Affected By Flooding and Severe Weather
   06/13/2008
9. Fact Sheet: USCIS to Issue Two-Year Employment Authorization Documents (EADS)
   New EADs Limited to Certain Individuals Who Have Applied for LPR Status
   06/12/2008
10. USCIS to Issue Two-Year Employment Authorization Documents
    New EADs Limited to Certain Individuals Who Have Applied for LPR Status
    06/12/2008
11. Fact Sheet: USCIS Offers Premium Processing Service for Certain Form I-140 Petitions Starting June 16, 2008
    06/11/2008
12. USCIS to Offer Premium Processing for Certain Form I-140 Petitions
    Service Begins June 16, 2008
    06/11/2008
13. Acting Director Scharfen Submits Written Testimony About Electronic Employment Verification Systems (133KB PDF)
    Safeguards Needed to Protect Privacy and Prevent Misuse
    06/10/2008
14. USCIS Clarifies Language in Form I-751 Transfer Notices Sent to Petitioners
    Current Notice May Be Interpreted as USCIS Granting Approval for Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
    06/05/2008
15. USCIS Centralizes Initial Naturalization Application Processing
    Change to Increase Efficiency and Improve Customer Service
    06/05/2008
16. Questions and Answers: Expedited Processing Available for Certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Beneficiaries
    SSI Beneficiaries can request expedited processing of Forms I-485 and N-400
    06/05/2008

May, 2008

1. USCIS Naturalizes First Military Spouse Overseas
   Frankfurt Ceremony Marks Military Spouse Appreciation Month
   05/30/2008
2. Update: USCIS Moves Lockbox to New Site in Chicago
   Private Courier Deliveries Automatically Forwarded For 90 Days - Does Not Affect U.S. Mail
   05/30/2008
3. Update: USCIS Implements Required DNA Testing for Vietnamese Adoptions
   Vietnamese law authorizing adoptions between U.S. and Vietnam to expire on September 1, 2008
   05/29/2008
4. Q and A: USCIS Implements Required DNA Testing for Vietnamese Adoptions
   05/29/2008
5. USCIS Modifies Application for Temporary Protected Status
   Previous Versions of Form I-821 Will Be Accepted Until June 26, 2008
   05/28/2008
6. USCIS to Revise Filing Instructions for Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
   Form I-751 to be filed with the California or Vermont Service Centers
   05/23/2008
7. Supplemental Questions & Answers:
   Extension of Optional Training Program for Qualified Students
   Rule Expands ‘Cap-Gap’ Relief for Students with Pending H-1B Petitions
   05/23/2008
8. Fact Sheet: Naturalization Through Military Service
   05/16/2008
9. USCIS Settles Kaplan Class Action
   SSI Beneficiaries can request expedited processing of Forms I-485 and N-400
   05/15/2008
10. Fact Sheet: Iraqi Refugee Processing
    05/15/2008
11. Fact Sheet: USCIS Issues Revised Guidance on the Applicability of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
    05/06/2008
12. USCIS Announces a Proposal to Increase Periods of Stay for TN Professional Workers From Canada or Mexico
    Period of Admission for TN Workers to Increase From One to Three Years
    05/06/2008
13. Statement for the Record: E-Verify
    For a hearing on "Employment Eligibility Verification Systems and Potential Impacts on SSA's Ability to Serve Retirees, People with Disabilities, and Workers" before the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Social Security
    05/06/2008
14. USCIS Issues Revised Guidance on Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
    Policy changes toward aliens who had aged out prior to enactment of the CSPA
    05/06/2008
15. USCIS Announces Enhancements to E-Verify Program
    Improvements Will Focus on Decreasing Mismatch Rates for Naturalized Citizens
    05/05/2008

April, 2008

1. USCIS' Role in the Visa Process
   Michael Aytes, Acting Deputy Director, USCIS, testified before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugess, Border Security and International Law
   04/30/2008
2. USCIS Modifies Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
   Revised Form I-693 Effective on May 1, 2008
   04/29/2008
3. USCIS Modifies Application for Employment Authorization
   Previous Versions of Form I-765 Accepted until July 8, 2008
   04/24/2008
4. Fact Sheet: USCIS Issues Guidance For Approved Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners
   04/22/2008
5. USCIS Releases Projected Naturalization Processing Times For Local Offices
   04/22/2008
6. USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status
   Short-term, Immediate Measure for Beneficiaries of Selected H-1B Petitions
   04/18/2008
7. USCIS Runs Random Selection Process For H-1B Petitions
   04/14/2008
8. Fact Sheet: Naturalization Through Military Service
   04/14/2008
9. USCIS Releases Preliminary Number Of FY 2009 H-1B Cap Filings
   04/10/2008
10. USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity
    04/10/2008
11. USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap
    04/08/2008
12. USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions Sent to California or Vermont Service Centers
    Temporary Accomodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
    04/04/2008
13. Questions and Answers: Extension of Optional Practical Training Program for Qualified Students
    Revised April 10, 2008
    04/04/2008
14. USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing Time
    Agency To Complete 36-percent More Naturalization Cases Than Last Year
    04/02/2008
15. USCIS and FBI Release Joint Plan to Eliminate Backlog of FBI Name Checks
    Partnership Establishes Series of Milestones To Complete Checks
    04/02/2008
16. USCIS Announces Changes to Guatemala Adoptions
    04/01/2008

March, 2008

1. Questions and Answers: Intercountry Adoption Instructions
   Post-Hague Adoption Convention Implementation
   03/31/2008
2. USCIS Extends Comment Period For Proposed Change to H-2A Program (47KB PDF)
   03/28/2008
3. USCIS to Review Immigration Cases that Could Benefit From Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008
   Agency will hold cases and also look at denials or referrals on or after Dec. 26, 2007
   03/27/2008
4. Comment Period Reopened for Adoption-Related Rule
   Rule Addresses Certain Intercountry Adoptions Under the Hague Convention
   03/25/2008
5. USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative
   Form I-130s to be filed with the Chicago Lockbox
   03/21/2008
6. Questions and Answers: USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas
   Rule Modifies Petition Selection Process and Prohibits Multiple Filings
   03/19/2008
7. Fact Sheet: Changes to the FY2009 H-1B Program
   03/19/2008
8. USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas
   Rule Modifies Selection Process and Prohibits Multiple Filings
   03/19/2008
9. USCIS Announces Overseas Office Closings in Observance of Religious Holidays
   03/17/2008
10. Statement by USCIS Director Emilio T. Gonzalez on Processing of Naturalization Applications
    03/14/2008
11. Questions and Answers: 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis
    03/12/2008
12. USCIS Announces 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nationals of Somalia
    Employment Authorization documents (EAD) Extended through September 2009
    03/10/2008
13. Update: Biometric Changes For Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents
    USCIS issues revised instructions for USCIS Form I-131
    03/05/2008

February, 2008

1. USCIS Strengthens Intercountry Adoption Process
   Rollout of New Forms and Centralized Review Under Hague Adoption Convention
   02/29/2008
2. Fact Sheet: Hague Adoption Convention
   New Forms and Centralized Review for Intercountry Adoptions
   02/29/2008
3. Questions and Answers: Background Check Policy Update
   02/28/2008
4. USCIS to Offer Free Copies of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit to Organizations that Serve Immigrants 02/20/2008
   
   
5. USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative 02/19/2008
   
   
6. USCIS Consolidates Biometrics Appointment Letter Into One Notice For Adjustment Of Status Applicants 02/15/2008
   
   
7. Status of the Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and The Republic of the Marshall Islands 02/13/2008
   
   
8. USCIS Proposes Streamlining Procedures For H-2A Program 02/13/2008
   
   
9. Fact Sheet: Status of Citizens of the Republic of Palau 02/13/2008
   
   
10. E-Verify Program Surpasses 52,000 Employers 02/12/2008
    
    
11. Fact Sheet: E-Verify 02/12/2008
    
    
12. Fact Sheet: President Bush's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for USCIS 02/04/2008
    
    

January, 2008

1. USCIS Announces Centralized Filing Location for Certain H-1B Cap Exempt Petitioners 01/30/2008
   
   
2. Fact Sheet: Naturalization Through Military Service 01/28/2008
   
   
3. USCIS Announces New Guatemalan Adoption Legislation 01/25/2008
   
   
4. College Students Receive President's Volunteer Service Award at USCIS Volunteer and Civics Orientation Session 01/17/2008
   
   
5. Naturalization Delays: Causes, Consequences and Solutions 01/17/2008
   January 17, 2008 - Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director, USCIS, testifed before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, January 17, 2008
   
   
6. USCIS Holds White House Naturalization Ceremony 01/16/2008
   
   
7. Comment Period Closes for Proposed Rule to Replace Permanent Resident Cards Without Expiration Date / (Chinese) 01/09/2008
   
   
8. Update: Comment Period Closes for Proposed Rule to Replace Permanent Resident Cards Without Expiration Date/ (Vietnamese) 01/09/2008
   
   
9. Termina el plazo para comentarios sobre la ley propuesta para reemplazar las tarjetas de residencia permanente que no tienen fecha de vencimiento 01/09/2008
   
   
10. USCIS Announces Improvements For E-Verify Telephone Assistance 01/08/2008
    
    
11. USCIS Extends Suspension of Premium Processing Service for Religious Workers (R-1) Nonimmigrant Visa Classification. 01/04/2008
    
    
12. USCIS Field Office Adopts Teletech Call Appointment System. 01/03/2008
    
    
13. USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of Fiscal Year 2008. 01/03/2008