USCIS announced that it is expanding its Premium Processing option to include certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions. Applications using Premium Processing will have action taken on the case within 30 calendar days. The filing fee for OPT and STEM O...
Immigration Newswire
Immigration law is composed of statutes, regulations, case law and non-binding agency guidance. The primary statute with which we deal as immigration attorneys is the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The regulations we reference are all included in various volumes of the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”). We primarily use 8 CFR, which is USCIS regulations; 20 CFR, which is Department of Labor regulations; and 22 CFR, which is Department of State regulations.
In addition, we cite to precedent decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Finally, the various federal agencies with which we deal provide frequent administrative guidance which is not binding but which governs their internal policies.
By providing you with the latest immigration legal news, we hope to offer practical insights into the ways various legal provisions are being construed by the government.
Changes in Work Authorization for L-2, E, and H-4 Dependents
On November 12, 2021 USCIS released a policy alert impacting work authorization for certain dependents of nonimmigrant status holders.
Changes to Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extensions
Effective May 4, 2022, USCIS introduced a Temporary Final Rule regarding automatic extensions for certain EADs. The Temporary Final Rule provides an additional 360-day automatic EAD extension period for certain categories that already benefit from USCIS’s prior 180-day automatic EAD extension. The Temporary Final Rule is in effect through October 26, 2023.