USCIS is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities, including temporary signature flexibility. The Services has made the temporary signature flexibility, first announced March 20, 2020, permanent as of July 25, 2022. It is making other flexibilities such as RFE response times, available through Oct. 23, 2022. The Service is establishing these measures to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors during this global epidemic. more »

Statement from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, July 1, 2013: “After the June 2013 Supreme Court decision holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly. To that end, effective immediately, I have directed USCIS to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse.” USCIS Same-Sex Marriage FAQ Update of August 7, 2013, is below. more »

On February 9, 2012, USCIS announced that eVerify Self Check, a free online service of E-Verify that allows workers to check their own US employment eligibility status, is now available in all 50 US states, Washington, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. more »

On August 17, 2011, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum regarding B-2 Visa Status changes and extensions for cohabitating partners, including same-sex partners and same-sex spouses, and other nonimmigrant household members. more »

DHS outlined various policy, operational, and outreach efforts to promote start-ups on August 2, 2011. With these, DHS aims to fuel the US economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent who otherwise can create US jobs, form start-up companies in the United States, and/or invest capital in areas of high unemployment. more »

On May 13, 2011, USCIS launched I-9 Central, a new online resource center dedicated to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov, Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free website provides one-click access to various resources, tips and guidance on the completion of Form I-9 and on the Form I-9 process. more »

USCIS has proposed a new H-1B visa registration system for cap-subject H-1B visa petitions. The H-1B registration system will require H-1B employers to file a registration for each H-1B visa petition with USCIS. Only registered employers may file H-1B petitions. Employers may only file for  registered H-1B Visa Beneficiaries. USCIS will set aside a 2 week H-1B registration period in March of each fiscal year. They will provide public notice of that H-1B visa registration period well in advance. more »

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a self-checking version of their E-Verify Employment Verification System tool. DHS created the E-Verify Self Check (Department of Homeland Security/United States Citizenship and Immigration Services—SORN DHS/USCIS—013 E-Verify Self Check System of Records) to assist US individuals in verifying their own legal US work authorization. more »