The Biden-Harris Administration announced measures on June 18, 2024, to speed up employment-based nonimmigrant visas for U.S. college graduates with job offers. The new guidelines will help consular officers recommend waivers of ineligibility faster, making it easier for eligible individuals to receive their work visas.

USCIS has extended the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan through March 9, 2025. Affected individuals will receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action. Current beneficiaries must re-register to maintain their TPS benefits. DHS previously extended re-registration periods for submitting TPS applications.

On June 3, 2024, the US President signed a Proclamation under the Immigration and Nationality Act, suspending the entry of certain noncitizens at the southern border due to emergency circumstances. The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice issued an Interim Final Rule to address asylum eligibility and entry conditions. The rule takes effect on June 5, 2024.

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to allow certain Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petitioners to file Form I-360 in person at a USCIS field office if they have less than two weeks before their 21st birthday. This policy, effective March 30, 2023, aims to address filing challenges due to juvenile court delays. For others, Form I-360 must be filed by mail.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the designation of Myanmar for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from May 26, 2024, to November 25, 2025. Existing beneficiaries must re-register within the 60-day period to retain TPS. Additionally, Myanmar is redesignated for TPS, allowing new applicants who have resided in the U.S. since March 21, 2024, to apply.

The Office of Children’s Issues is addressing concerns from Poland about missing post-adoption reports from U.S. parents. These reports are crucial for ensuring intercountry adoption remains viable. The State Department urges parents to submit timely reports to support Poland’s positive experience with U.S. adoptions. Reports are required annually for three years and then every three years until the child turns 18.

On September 8, 2023, the DOJ proposed rescinding the enjoined December 2020 Final Rule, which limited the authority of immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals. After public comments, the rule is finalized with minor changes to maintain the current status quo, aiming to improve case efficiency and protect due process. This final rule takes effect on July 29, 2024.

Starting May 6, 2024, USCIS will process all Forms I-730 for follow-to-join refugees at the International Operations Division instead of the Asylum Vetting Center. Pending petitions will be automatically transferred to improve efficiency in family reunification. Petitioners will receive transfer notices and must ensure their mailing addresses are up-to-date. Filing locations remain unchanged at the USCIS Texas Service Center.

On March 14, 2024, Angola acceded to the Hague Adoption Convention, which will take effect on July 1, 2024. As the 106th nation to join, Angola commits to protecting the best interests of children in intercountry adoptions. The U.S. Department is assessing whether U.S. adoptions from Angola can proceed under this convention.

Ahead of Joint Task Force Alpha’s third anniversary, the Justice Department announced expanded measures to dismantle human smuggling operations and enhance immigration prosecutions. Since 2021, JTFA has significantly increased smuggling prosecutions and arrests. New initiatives include financial rewards for information, increased penalties, and resource realignment to target high-priority smuggling networks across Central America and the U.S. border.

Effective May 22, 2024, USCIS has updated guidance on family-based immigrant visa petitions, including Forms I-130 and I-360. The updates clarify procedures for correcting approval notice errors, requests for consular processing or adjustment of status, and routing of approved petitions. Petitioners must accurately provide the beneficiary’s address and processing preference to avoid delays.

The Justice Department sued Oklahoma over a new immigration law that fines and jails undocumented migrants, arguing it violates the Constitution. The law, effective July 1, allows arrest and imprisonment of noncitizens without U.S. permission. The suit follows similar actions against Texas and Iowa. Critics, including the ACLU, argue it promotes racial profiling and criminalizes immigrants.