USCIS Updates Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for U.S. Citizenship / Naturalization Applicants
On December 12, 2022 USCIS updated their policy manual to automatically extend Green Cards for U.S. Citizenship applicants [1]. Now, applicants who have properly filed their Form N-400- Application for Naturalization, will automatically receive a 24 month extension of their Green Cards without having to file an I-90- Application to Renew their Green Card.
Before this new policy, applicants who did not file their Naturalization / U.S. Citizenship Application (N-400) [2], at least 6 months before their Green Cards expire, were required to renew their green cards by filing an I-90, as well. Even those N-400 Applicants that filed more than 6 months before the green cards expired did not receive an extension automatically, they would have to obtain an ADIT extension on their green card or an extension stamp in their passport during an appointment with USCIS.
USCIS Issues Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees
On January 3, 2023, USCIS proposed a fee rule to increase some of the Immigration filing fees [3]. Several of the new proposed filing fees will see increases over 50% and USCIS will favor filing petitions online with lower filing fees than the fees that will be required when filing applications by mail. This proposal is currently in the 60 day comment period, after which USCIS will decide whether to proceed with the proposal as is, modify it, or withdraw it.
Given that filing fees will likely increase, if you are eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident status (Green Card), or to petition for a family member’s residency or the residency of an employee, or to file for any other immigration benefit; it would be beneficial to apply as early as possible at the current filing fees before they change. Also, it is always advisable to review eligibility with an immigration attorney before filing any immigration application to avoid potential issues.
Our Boston Immigration lawyers [4] at FitzGerald Law Company will gladly help you determine if you are eligible to apply for an immigration benefit for yourself or on behalf of someone else. Our attorneys can also help you with the entire application process to ensure the applications are properly prepared and that the supporting evidence presented is appropriate to support your petition, to avoid unnecessary delays or denials. Call our office today to request a consultation with one of our experienced Immigration attorneys at 617-523-6320, or request an appointment online [5].
USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion
On January 12, 2023, USCIS announced that it is implementing the final phase of the premium processing expansion [6] for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the categories EB-1 (for Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Multinational Manager and Executives) and EB-2 (for those possessing advanced degrees or exceptional abilities).
USCIS stated that beginning January 30, 2023, they will accept the Form I-907- Premium Processing (faster application processing for an additional fee) for the following applicants:
- All pending E13 multinational executive and manager petitions and E21 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petitions; and
- All initial E13 multinational executive and manager petitions and E21 NIW petitions.
Also, as announced in March last year, USCIS will expand premium processing to certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). In April, USCIS plans to expand premium processing to include F-1 students seeking OPT and those seeking STEM OPT extensions, who are filing an initial Form I-765. USCIS will announce the exact dates for each group in February.
If you would like help with your immigration matter, call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys (Read /View our outstanding client reviews and testimonials [7] ), at 617-523-6320 (ext. 0). Our Boston personal injury lawyers [8] and criminal defense attorneys [9] can also assist you or your family member with any personal injury or criminal matter.