As of December 16, 2024, asylum seekers in immigration court no longer need to mail the first three pages of Form I-589 to USCIS. DHS will reuse previously captured biometrics for most applicants, scheduling appointments only when necessary. USCIS will identify individuals requiring biometrics via EOIR data and notify them through appointment notices sent to the address on file.

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State updated the Exchange Visitor Skills List, affecting the two-year home country residency rule for J visa holders under INA 212(e). Visitors whose countries are no longer on the list are exempt unless funded by governments or in U.S. graduate medical training. Pending DS-3035 applications will be reviewed, and affected applicants will be notified.

USCIS will release a revised Form G-325A on January 6, 2025, with the edition date 10/24/24. Starting February 5, 2025, only this edition will be accepted. Updates include options to request employment authorization and a Social Security number directly on the form. Noncitizens must pay the Form I-765 fee or request a fee waiver, with no refunds for denied deferred action requests. The form now includes space to explain requests, removing the need for a separate written statement.

USCIS will release a revised Form I-129 on January 17, 2025, incorporating updates from the H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. The new 01/17/25 edition will replace the 04/01/24 version, with no grace period for transitioning. Petitions using the 04/01/24 edition will be rejected starting January 17, 2025. A preview of the updated form and instructions is available, but submissions using the new edition will only be accepted on or after the effective date.

USCIS has announced significant updates to Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, introducing changes that will affect all green card applicants filing for adjustment of status. The new edition, released on December 10, 2024, includes several important changes designed to reduce confusion among applicants and simplify the process.

DHS has finalized a rule permanently increasing the automatic extension of employment authorization and EADs from 180 to 540 days for eligible noncitizens who file timely renewals. This move supports employers, boosts economic growth, and responds to business community feedback for greater certainty.

DOS issued a final rule that makes updates to reflect a statutory change to the class of individuals who may qualify for Special Immigrant Visas including U.S. government employees. The rule is effective from December 10, 2024.

The Department has published a revised Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective December 9, 2024, for determining the applicability of the two-year home country physical presence requirement under INA section 212(e) for J exchange visitor visas. If a visitor’s country is not on the updated list, they are no longer subject to this requirement based on the Skills List. However, they may still be subject to the two-year rule due to U.S. or home government funding or graduate medical training in the U.S.

USCIS now requires Form I-693 (medical exam results) to be submitted with Form I-485 (green card application). Missing Form I-693 may lead to rejection. Applicants should plan ahead, complete the medical exam with approved doctors, and include the sealed results with their application.

USCIS has filled the FY 2025 H-1B cap of 65,000 regular and 20,000 master’s cap visas. With a new lottery system, applications dropped to 470,342 from 758,994 in FY 2024, with 29% selected. No more lotteries will be held, but cap-exempt petitions remain open. Employers should prepare for FY 2026 and check USCIS’s H-1B Cap Season page for updates.

DHS reported record removals in FY 2024, the highest since 2010. Following President Biden’s June 4 Proclamation on southern border entry, over 640 repatriation flights were conducted to 155+ countries, reducing Border Patrol encounters by 55%. DHS continues to expand removal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

DHS has introduced new categories for surviving spouses and children of U.S. government employees who died abroad, enabling eligible family members to obtain permanent resident status under recent laws. Key changes include 12 new classifications, like SS1 (surviving spouse or child) and GS1 (family of certain visa holders). These statuses grant lawful permanent residency and work authorization.