Rescheduling Biometric Appointments
USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address procedures relating to requests to reschedule biometric services appointments at an Application Support Center (ASC) for good cause. The policy is effective as of June 6, 2023 and comments are due by August 7, 2023.
Safeguarding National Security
The Department of State has recently adopted new technology and enhanced coordination to reduce the number of visa applications that require administrative processing on security grounds while upholding strict national security protections. Since October 2022, most cases that would have previously required additional administrative processing were resolved immediately due to this measure without additional, time-consuming handling.
Florida Bans Driver’s License’s of Illegal Immigrants
Under a new immigration law in Florida, five state driver’s licences issued to undocumented immigrants will no longer be considered valid in the Sunshine State. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the licences from Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont can no longer be used if the driver is undocumented.
New U.S. Citizenship Test Proposed
USCIS intends to introduce a new citizenship test the next year, but advocates are concerned that the changes may hurt immigrants who speak little or no English. The new exam will have multiple choice questions and a speaking section, both of which, according to experts, need significantly higher levels of language proficiency and test-taking skill.
New I-140 Form by USCIS
On July 1, 2023, USCIS published a new I-140 form, which will go into effect from July 9, 2023. Additionally, the USCIS has expanded their premium processing services to include certain previously filed and newly filed I-140 petitions requesting E13 and E21 classifications.
Source: USCIS & AILA
