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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov Key Features
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. […]. Based on feedback we heard in focus groups, usability tests and public surveys, the improved design of USCIS.gov follows four core principles: A customer-centric homepage that provides applicants with a 'one-stop shop' of immigration services information. Simplified navigation and improved search capability. Enhanced customer service tools including expanded case status information. Information that is written clearly and meets the needs of our customers."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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Fact Sheet: Public Charge
"Public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of inadmissibility and deportation. An individual who is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible to the United States and ineligible to become a legal permanent resident. However, receiving public benefits does not automatically make an individual a public charge. This fact sheet seeks to inform non-citizens about public charge determinations and help them to make informed choices about whether to apply for certain public benefits."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-10-20
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USCIS Clarifies Requirements for Agents Filing as Petitioners for the O and P Visa Classification
"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying for performing arts associations and their members the regulatory requirements for agents who file as petitioners for the O and P visa classification. […] USCIS has received inquiries from the public and at the Service Centers that reveal confusion regarding the circumstances under which an agent may file O and P petitions on behalf of multiple employers. […] Under 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2)(i) and 8 CFR 214.2 (p)(2)(i), O and P petitions may only be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S agent. Both the O and P regulations provide that if the beneficiary employee will work concurrently for more than one employer within the same time period, each employer must file a separate petition with the Service Center that has jurisdiction over the area where the alien will perform services, unless an 'established agent' files the petition. See 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2)(iv)(B) and 8 CFR 214.2(p)(2)(iv)(B)."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-10-07
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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov - What's Next
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. […]. From March to June 2009, USCIS surveyed a broad range of users regarding general functionality of our website through focus group discussions, usability tests, and public surveys. Based on these findings, the redesigned USCIS.gov website is more customer-centric, providing users with a 'one-stop shop' for immigration services and information. The new site features clear language that meets the needs of our customers, easier accessibility to customer service tools, simplified website navigation and improved search capability. […] USCIS is committed to making this site work for its customers and will actively manage the continued growth of the site to meet their evolving needs. USCIS personnel are already working on a series of future improvements and engaging with stakeholders to identify further enhancements."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov 'My Case Status'
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. […] Based on feedback we received from focus groups, usability tests and public surveys, the redesigned USCIS.gov website enhances our customer service tools and makes them more accessible. All of the tools are now available directly from the homepage. On the old USCIS website, 'Case Status Online' provided users with their case status information via the web. It allowed customers to create an account to receive automated emails when their cases were updated. Processing times of local offices and service centers were also available before the redesign, but these times were only displayed in a table on a different page of the site."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov 'Where to Start'
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. New to Our Website? Based on feedback we received from focus groups, usability tests and public surveys, the redesigned USCIS.gov website is more customer-centric, providing users with a 'one-stop shop' for immigration services and information. A new function on the homepage includes the 'Where to Start' tool, offering customers the ability to find information based on the status they hold and the benefit or information they seek. Before the redesign, customers described using the USCIS website as 'frustrating' and 'hard to navigate.' The new 'Where to Start' tool, located on the top left of the homepage, allows for easy, direct navigation to information."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov 'National Dashboard'
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. [...]. The 'National Dashboard' is a new function available on the redesigned USCIS.gov website. This tool will give customers insight into current USCIS form processing times. The new National Dashboard has an easy to read graph, giving customers the option of viewing volumes as a bar or line graph, that provides customers the ability to compare overall processing volumes and trends at the national and local level."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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FAQs: Fiscal Year 2009 Citizenship Grant Program
"Through the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 (Public Law 110-329), Congress created the Fiscal Year 2009 Citizenship Grant Program. This competitive grant program provides approximately $1.2 million of federal funding--in the form of 12 $100,000 individual awards--to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents (LPRs). […]. Following are answers to the most frequently asked questions [FAQs] USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] has received thus far. This document will be updated as deemed appropriate."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-05-14
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Naturalization Process for the Military
"USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] recognizes the important sacrifices made by non-U.S. citizen members of the United States armed forces and their families and is committed to processing their naturalization applications in a timely and efficient manner while providing exemplary customer service, maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, and the security of the process. Qualifying military service is generally in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and certain components of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2010-03-01
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Fact Sheet: Department of Homeland Security Exercise of Authority to Exempt Persons Associated with 10 Named Groups from Most Terrorist-Related Inadmissibility Grounds of the Immigration Law
"On June 3, 2008, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security exercised their discretionary exemption authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), permitting their respective agencies to exempt persons associated with ten named groups from most of the inadmissibility grounds of the INA related to terrorist activity. Notice of the Secretary's exercise of discretionary authority was published in the Federal Register of June 18, 2008 (pages 34770-34777). The ten groups covered by the exemption authority are: (1) Karen National Union/Karen Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA); (2) Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA); (3) Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD); (4) Kayan New Land Party (KNLP); (5) Arakan Liberation Party (ALP); (6) Mustangs; (7) Alzados; (8) Karenni National Progressive Party; (9) Appropriate groups affiliated with the Hmong; and (10) Appropriate groups affiliated with the Montagnards."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2008-11-25
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Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2009 Citizenship Grant Program
"Through the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 (Public Law 110-329), Congress created the Fiscal Year 2009 Citizenship Grant Program. This competitive grant program provides approximately $1.2 million of federal funding--in the form of 12 $100,000 individual awards--to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents (LPRs). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), through this competitive grant program, will provide funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve one or more priority immigrant groups in areas of the United States that contain a large representation of the country's immigrant population. The funding will be used to expand the number of people served by citizenship preparation programs that incorporate activities to assist legal permanent residents improve English language skills, gain knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics), and prepare for the naturalization application and interview process."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-03-12
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Fact Sheet: USCIS Selects Recipients for the FY 2009 Citizenship Grant Program
"On Sept. 17, 2009, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that 13 organizations have been selected to receive federal funding to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents (LPRs). This funding will also expand outreach on U.S. citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and available educational opportunities and resources."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-17
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Fact Sheet: Department of Homeland Security Implements Exemption Authority for Certain Terrorist-Related Inadmissibility Grounds for Cases with Administratively Final Orders of Removal
"Under section 212(d)(3)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the Secretary of Homeland Security may conclude in his sole unreviewable discretion to not apply certain of the terrorist-related grounds of inadmissibility at section 212(a)(3)(B) of the INA. As of Sept. 8, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began implementation of the Secretary's exercise of his exemption authority for certain terrorist-related inadmissibility grounds under section 212(d)(3)(B)(i) of the INA for cases issued administratively final orders of removal by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2008-10-23
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Fact Sheet: Premium Processing Service for Certain Form I-140 Petitions Begins March 2, 2009
"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expand Premium Processing Service for designated Forms I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker to include alien beneficiaries who have reached or are reaching their limitation of stay in H-1B nonimmigrant status. Currently, only certain alien beneficiaries who are in H-1B nonimmigrant status at the time of filing may request Form I-140 Premium Processing Service."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-02-24
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Fact Sheet: E-Verify Strengthening the Employment Eligibility Document Review Process for the Nation's Employers
"E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the program."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-01-08
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Fact Sheet: USCIS.gov Redesign Highlights
"On June 25, President Obama announced that in the next 90 days USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] would launch a vastly improved USCIS.gov public website to help customers navigate the immigration system and remain up-to-date regarding their case status. USCIS has committed to delivering on this promise by incorporating both internal and external stakeholder feedback. From March to June 2009, USCIS surveyed a broad range of users regarding general functionality of our website through focus group discussions, usability tests, and public surveys. Groups surveyed in this process included national and local stakeholders, customers and USCIS employees."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2009-09-22
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Memorandum: Procedures for Implementing the Waiving of the Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance for the Naturalization of Aliens having Certain Disabilities
"This memorandum provides comprehensive policy guidance on procedures for conducting examinations and waiving the oath of allegiance for naturalization applicants with disabilities."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-06-30
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Memorandum: The 'Adjudicate Orphan Status First' Pilot Program
"The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance in adjudicating the Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I-600A) and the Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I-600) where the sending country or child identified is from a participating country in the 'Adjudicate Orphan First' pilot program. This memorandum should be read in conjunction with pertinent regulations."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-06-04
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Memorandum: Processing Derivative Refugees and Asylees under the Child Status Protection Act
"This memorandum provides guidance for the implementation of the Child Status Protection Act overseas. It addresses the processing of both derivative refugees and asylees."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Petrucelli, Michael J.
2003-07-23
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Memorandum: Introducing revised Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and New Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322
"The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) has significantly revised Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and has created a new Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322. The revised Form N-600 and new Form N-600K reflect the recent Child Citizenship Act (CCA) and the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Act amendments to the requirements for acquisition and derivation of U.S. citizenship by foreign-born children."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-06-23
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Memorandum: Processing Fingerprint Checks Prior to the Filing of Form I-600 Abroad [April 7, 2003]
"The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance in processing FBI fingerprint checks subsequent to the approval of the Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, Form I-600A, and prior to the filing abroad of the Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, Form I-600. This memorandum should be read in conjunction with the Memorandum, Fingerprint Check Integrity When Adjudicating Orphan Petitions dated February 14, 2003 (attached). The procedures outlined in this memorandum shall be implemented immediately."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2009-04-07
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Memorandum: Expedited Handling of Special Immigrant Religious Worker Petitions before the October 1, 2003 Sunset Deadline
"Subclauses (II) and (III) of section 101(a)(27)(C)(ii) of the INA [Immigration and Nationality Act] provide for the admission as 'special immigrants' for those who qualify as professional or other religious workers in a religious vocation or occupation. These provisions, which were originally enacted in 1990 and have been extended multiple times, have a current sunset date of September 30, 2003. Aliens who qualify for special immigrant status under these two categories of religious workers must either adjust status or immigrate on or before September 30, 2003. This also includes the accompanying spouses and children of such religious workers. On or after October 1, 2003, qualifying religious workers cannot immigrate under this provision. This sunset date however, does not apply to the continuing permanent definition of 'special immigrants' covered by subclause (I) which include those individuals who enter solely for the purpose of carrying on the vocation of a minister of a religious denomination."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-07-18
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Memorandum: Effect of Grandparent's Death on Naturalization under INA Section 322
"This memorandum establishes the interpretation of Section 322(a)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [INA], 8 U.S.C. § 1433(a)(2)(B), that all officers of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services are to follow in adjudicating applications for citizenship under Section 322. This interpretation is to be followed in all cases that are pending on the date of this memorandum, as well as in cases filed on or after that date. For cases adjudicated before the date of this memorandum, directors should consider this memorandum to be a sufficient basis to grant an otherwise untimely motion to reopen or reconsider a previous decision. INA Section 322 provides for the expedited naturalization of the alien child of a citizen, if the alien child is 'residing outside of the United States' and meets the relevant requirements of Section 322. One requirement is that the citizen parent must have 'been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years.' INA § 322(a)(2)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1433(a)(2)(B). If the citizen parent cannot meet this requirement, the alien child may still qualify if the citizen parent's own citizen parent can meet the physical presence requirement. Id. § 322(a)(2)(B), 8 U.S.C. § 1433(a)(2)(B)."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-04-17
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Memorandum: Processing Fingerprint Checks Prior to the Filing of Form I-600 Abroad
"This guidance was intended to assist both the adjudicating officers and the prospective adoptive parents by PAPs allowing for the fingerprint clearance period to more closely mirror the I-600A validity period. It has been brought to our attention that there may be some instances when it would be more beneficial for prospective adoptive parents to be fingerprinted at the time of filing the I-600A, even if the home study does not accompany the submission. If the prospective adoptive parents indicate that they will be adopting from a country when it does not usually take a substantial amount of time to complete the adoption, then it may be best to schedule fingerprinting at the time of filing the I-600A."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2003-05-13
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Fact Sheet: USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card
"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card--commonly known as the 'Green Card'--to incorporate several major new security features. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2010-05-11
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Interoffice Memorandum: Interim Guidance for Processing Form I-140 Employment-Based Immigrant Petitions and Form I-485 and H-1B Petitions Affected by the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) (Public Law 106-313)
"The purpose of this memorandum is to provide field offices with interim guidance on: (1) Processing Form I-140 petitions and Form I-485 applications in connection with the I-140 portability provision of §106(c) of AC21; (2) Adjudication of H-1B petitions in connection with the 7th year extension provisions of § 106(a) of AC21; (3) Adjudication of H-1B petitions in connection with the 7th year extension provisions of 104(c) for aliens subject to per country visa limitations; and (4) Adjudication of H-1B petitions in connection with the H-1B portability provisions of § 105 of AC21; This interim guidance will only be in effect until regulations that are currently in progress are published as a final rule. The proposed rule may take a more restrictive position than this memorandum. Please note that the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) will not be updated at this time."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2005-05-12
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Interoffice Memorandum: Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID)
"This memorandum provides guidance to adjudicators on whether to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) under current regulations at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8). The memorandum on RFEs of May 4, 2004 is rescinded."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2005-02-16
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Interoffice Memorandum: Determinations of Good Moral Character in VAWA-Based Self-Petitions
"On October 28, 2000, the President signed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA), Pub. L. 106-386. Title V of the VTVPA is entitled the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act (BIWPA), and contains several provisions amending the self-petitioning eligibility requirements for battered spouses and children contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA or the Act). Those provisions were established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA). The purpose of this memorandum is to inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicators at the Vermont Service Center (VSC) of the change in the law concerning determinations of good moral character made in connection with VAWA-based self-petitions (Forms I-360)."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2005-01-19
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Interoffice Memorandum: Clarification of Certain Eligibility Requirements Pertaining to an Application to Adjust Status under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
"This memorandum clarifies certain eligibility requirements pertaining to an application to adjust status (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) under section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act). In particular, this memorandum clarifies issues pertaining to a 'derivative' of a grandfathered alien, when an application for labor certification serves to grandfather an alien, and multiple filings for adjustment of status under section 245(i)."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.
2005-03-09
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Interoffice Memorandum: Extension of Status for Conditional Residents with Pending or Denied Form I-829 Petitions Subject to Public Law 107-273
"This memorandum supplements previously issued interim guidance regarding statutory changes made by Public Law 107-273. Pub. L. 107-273 affects adjudication of Forms I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, and Forms I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions. See June 10, 2003 policy memorandum, issued by Janis A. Sposato, entitled Amendments Affecting Petitions for Alien Entrepreneur (EB-5) Adjudication. This supplemental memorandum provides guidance on the extension of status for certain conditional residents with a pending or denied Form I-829 petitions that are subject to Pub. L. 107-273, and incorporates by reference certain provisions in the March 3, 2000, policy memorandum issued by Michael A. Pearson, entitled AFM Update: Immigrant Investor Petitioner -- Form I-829 Adjudication (EB-5 Memo # 9). This supplemental guidance is effective immediately."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Yates, William R.; Cuddihy, Joseph
2005-01-18
