U.S. Immigration Systems, Data, Status, and Concepts

Visa Revocation Basics

The basic sources and processes of U.S. nonimmigrant visa revocation.

Under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress can review and overturn certain regulations promulgated by an executive agency, such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, etc. Congress can use the CRA only to invalidate an agency final rule in

USCIS Restores Deference in EB Petition Extension Adjudications

A revision to USCIS Policy Manual 2 USCIS-PM A.4.B. restores a certain amount of deference to employment-based petition extension adjudications, and requires adjudicators to "obtain supervisory approval before deviating from a prior approval in their final decision." USCIS Policy Alert PA-2021-05

DHS Takes Steps to Implement Preferred Use of Immigration Terminology

A pair of memos from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provide guidance to the respective DHS bureaus on "the preferred use of immigration terminology within the federal government. The Administration’s view is also reflected in the U.S

USCIS Seeks Comments on Improving Its Regulations, Policies, and Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a request for information at 86 FR 20398 (April 19, 2021), titled Identifying Barriers Across Benefits and Services, with a 30-day comment period. "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comments from the public on how U.S

U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021

U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 On February 18, 2021, Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) introduced in the House H.R.1177, a bill To provide an earned path to citizenship, to address the root causes of migration and responsibly manage the southern border, and to reform the immigrant visa system, and

The Biden Administration Regulatory Freeze Memorandum

Memorandum: Regulatory Freeze Pending Review. January 20, 2021. Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, from Biden Chief of Staff Ronald Klain at the direction of President Biden. Published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 7424 (January 28, 2021). Sets varied temporary stops

DOL Interim Final Rule on OES and Prevailing Wage Determinations

On December 1, 2020, the October 8, 2020 DOL interim final rule was set aside by a U.S. District Court, and is no longer in effect. Related recent updates On January 14, 2021, DOL published a final rule titled Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain

DHS Proposed Rule on Definition, Collection, and Use of Biometrics

Update USCIS withdrew this proposed rule, in a Federal Register notice published on May 10, 2021. Background for reference purposes In a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2020, DHS proposed to change the way it defines, collects, and uses biometrics. Read the proposed

Executive Order 13891 on Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents

Status: Revoked. President Biden's Executive Order 13992 of January 20, 2021, published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 7049 (January 25, 2021), revoked former President Trump's Executive Order 13891. Background, for reference purposes On October 9, 2019, former President Trump issued Executive