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.

The Biden administration announced a new program to expedite immigration court cases for single adults caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Dockets will operate in five cities, aiming for resolution within 180 days to reduce backlogs. The process aims to swiftly impose consequences on those without legal claims and grant relief to those with valid claims. This effort is part of a broader strategy to address illegal immigration before the November elections. The Justice Department also submitted a final rule for efficient case management.

The 2023 SEVIS by the Numbers report revealed a significant rise in international student enrollment in the U.S., with 1,503,649 active F-1 and M-1 students. Key trends include a rise in students from India and China, a 36.9% increase in OPT students, and California hosting the largest number of international students.

The Department of State issued a record 5.2 million nonimmigrant visas in the first half of FY 2024, including 205,000 H-2A & H-2B visas, and about 25,000 employment-based immigrant visas, marking a 75% increase from 2019. Family based immigrant visas also increased, with 152,000 green cards issued to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, a record highest for this period. Additionally, nearly 134,000 J-1, 115,000 F-1 visas, and 4.1 million B-1/B-2 visas and border crossing cards were issued.

The U.S. Department of State has announced the 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery winners, selecting 55,000 applicants from millions of entries. Winners can check their status on the State Department’s DV Entrant Status Check portal. Selection does not guarantee a green card; winners must file Form DS-260, attend a visa interview, and pay required fees. All visas must be issued by September 30, 2025.