USCIS news
Announcements from the agency, newest first. Every item links to its own page.
5 days ago
USCIS Announces FY 2027 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a Federal Register notice that will increase certain H.R. 1 immigration-related fees for fiscal year 2027.
Read the announcement→
6 days ago
USCIS Adjusts EB-5 Fees to Cover Program Costs and Strengthen Integrity Measures
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to ensure EB-5 fees fully recover the cost of operating the program, meet statutory processing time goals, and support integrity measures such as audits and site visits.
Read the announcement→
6 days ago
USCIS Assists Florida Investigation Leading to Charges for Unlawful Voting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided critical assistance to investigations that resulted in charges against 16 aliens accused of unlawfully voting in Florida elections.
Read the announcement→
September 25, 2026
Romanian Alien Admits Conspiring to Commit Marriage Fraud
A Romanian alien admitted to conspiring with an American citizen to enter into a sham marriage so that she could obtain U.S. citizenship. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted the investigation.
Read the announcement→
September 11, 2026
Department of Justice Removes Alien Terrorist in First Use of United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court
In the first-ever case before the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), Nazira Haji Zada, 47, an Afghan national previously residing in Fort Worth, Texas, was removed from the United States after conceding that she is an alien terrorist.
Read the announcement→
September 11, 2026
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2027
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2027.
Read the announcement→
September 4, 2026
DHS Announces Rule for Certain Children Born in the United States to Foreign Government Employees
The Department of Homeland Security today issued an interim final rule amending its regulations to allow certain children born in the United States to foreign government employees who are not U.S. citizens to register as lawful permanent residents.
Read the announcement→
September 4, 2026
Court Order on Diversity Immigrant Visa Program Hold Policy
On Aug. 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Medani, et al., v. Trump, et al., 26-cv-6332 (NDCA), temporarily vacating PM-602-0193 pending further litigation. USCIS is ordered, “to the extent practicable and in good faith, to take all reasonable steps during the remainder of the Diversity Visa fiscal year to resume ordinary adjudication of plaintiffs’ pending adjustment of status applications without applying” PM-602-0193.
Read the announcement→
September 3, 2026
USCIS Opens New International Field Office in Ethiopia to Support Fraud Prevention
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening a new international field office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The office will begin operations on September 9, 2026, and will handle USCIS immigration matters in Ethiopia.
Read the announcement→
August 28, 2026
Recent Court Order on Hold Policies
On Aug. 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, 26-cv-04850-CRB (NDCA), enjoining PM 602-0192, and PM 602-0194.
Read the announcement→
August 24, 2026
DHS Proposes Additional H-1B Fee
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to establish a $103,265 fee for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption.
Read the announcement→
August 19, 2026
USCIS to Publish New Edition of Form I-485; Older Editions Will Be Rejected Starting Sept. 18
On Sept. 18, 2026, USCIS will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (edition date: 09/18/26).
Read the announcement→
August 18, 2026
USCIS Issues Guidance on Making Public Charge Inadmissibility Determination
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual explaining how the agency will determine whether an alien applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident is likely at any time to become a public charge.
Read the announcement→
August 12, 2026
USCIS Plays Key Role in Takedown of Decade-Long Marriage Fraud Ring
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in the indictment unsealed today charging 11 individuals with conspiring, over the course of more than a decade, to orchestrate more than 1,000 sham marriages.
Read the announcement→
August 12, 2026
Denaturalization Case Filed Against Man Who Procured U.S. Citizenship Under False Identity
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided crucial support to an investigation resulting in charges to denaturalize a man born in India for using a false identity to become a U.S. citizen.
Read the announcement→
August 11, 2026
Justice Department Files Record 25 Denaturalization Cases Against Naturalized Criminals Including Attempted Murderers, Spousal Abusers, and Child Sex Offenders
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Department of Justice in its filing of denaturalization actions against 25 individuals accused of serious offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Read the announcement→
August 10, 2026
USCIS To Require Electronic Filing of Forms: Strengthening National Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an interim final rule (IFR) that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate electronic filing, or e-filing, for certain immigration forms.
Read the announcement→
August 6, 2026
USCIS Identity Checks Lead to Arrest of Former Latvian Reality TV Contestant with Violent Criminal History
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ robust screening and vetting uncovered an illegal alien and former reality TV contestant from Latvia with a criminal history that includes sexual battery, aggravated assault, and drug possession.
Read the announcement→
August 5, 2026
USCIS to Reduce Frivolous Immigration Benefits Requests by Reinforcing Evidence Standards
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying that benefit requestors should establish eligibility for an immigration benefit at the time they file a benefit request.
Read the announcement→
July 27, 2026
USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a rule change designed to reduce the backlog in the asylum system.
Read the announcement→
July 22, 2026
DHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug Dealers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted the Department of Justice (DOJ) with several recent denaturalization actions in U.S. district courts to revoke citizenship from 10 individuals accused of serious crimes, including sexual abuse of a child, health care and wire fraud, immigration fraud, and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Read the announcement→
July 17, 2026
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.
Read the announcement→
July 16, 2026
US Citizenship and Immigration Services Rescinds 2022 Public Charge Regulation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule rescinding the 2022 Biden-era regulation regarding public charge determinations, further aligning immigration law with Congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-reliant and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits.
Read the announcement→
July 1, 2026
USCIS Opens Asylum Office in Atlanta
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening an asylum office in Atlanta. Beginning July 8, 2026, the Atlanta Asylum Office will conduct interviews for affirmative asylum applicants at three locations.
Read the announcement→
June 26, 2026
Important Notice for Clients of Former Immigration Attorney Alexandra Lozano
On May 26, 2026, Alexandra Lozano resigned from the State Bar of Washington in lieu of discipline and is permanently barred from practicing law in Washington.
Read the announcement→
June 12, 2026
Justice Department Moves to Strip U.S. Citizenship from 17 Naturalized Sex Offenders, Fraudsters, Drug Dealers, and More
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Department of Justice in its recent filings of denaturalization actions in various U.S. district courts against 17 individuals accused of serious offenses—including sexual abuse of a minor, wire and bank fraud, and distributing drugs wholesale without a license.
Read the announcement→
June 12, 2026
Court Order on Hold Policies
On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued an order in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, et al. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, et al., 26-cv-00132-JJM-PAS (D.RI.), vacating PM 602-0192, PM 602-0194, and PA 2025-26.
Read the announcement→
June 5, 2026
USCIS Opens Asylum Office in San Antonio
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opened an additional asylum office location in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning May 28, 2026, aliens who filed for asylum with USCIS who reside in the jurisdiction of the Houston Asylum Office may be interviewed at either the Houston Asylum Office or the San Antonio Asylum Office.
Read the announcement→
May 28, 2026
DHS Automatically Extends Temporary Protected Status for Lebanon
The Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on the six-month automatic extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanon, from May 28, 2026, through Nov. 27, 2026. Under the TPS statute, if the secretary of homeland security does not decide whether a country still qualifies for TPS at least 60 days before the country’s TPS designation expires, its TPS designation is automatically extended for six months.
Read the announcement→
May 22, 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ Only in Extraordinary Circumstances
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the country.
Read the announcement→
May 19, 2026
USCIS Assists Federal Partners in Arrest of MS-13 Gang Member
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a critical role in the arrest of Jose Calles Henriquez, 24, an illegal alien from El Salvador and self-confessed MS-13 gang member.
Read the announcement→
May 14, 2026
USCIS and DOJ Take Steps to Denaturalize 12 Individuals for Concealing Terrorist Support, War Crimes, Espionage, Sexual Abuse, and More
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Department of Justice in its recent filing of denaturalization actions in various U.S. district courts against 12 individuals accused of serious offenses—including providing material support to a terrorist group, committing war crimes, and sexually abusing a minor.
Read the announcement→
April 29, 2026
Cap Reached for Second Allocation of Returning Worker H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 27,736 H-2B visas made available for the second allocation of returning workers for fiscal year 2026 with start dates from April 1 to April 30, 2026, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (fiscal year 2026 TFR).
Read the announcement→
April 23, 2026
USCIS Efforts Lead to Two Guilty Pleas in H-1B Fraud Conspiracy Case
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ fraud detection efforts resulted in the guilty pleas of Sampath Rajidi, 51, and Sreedhar Mada, 51, to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced last week.
Read the announcement→
April 20, 2026
Belizean Woman Found Guilty of Naturalization Fraud
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in the investigation that led to a federal jury finding Ana Zahia Gonzalez, 46, guilty of naturalization fraud.
Read the announcement→
April 13, 2026
Justice Department Files Case to Revoke U.S. Citizenship of Mastermind Behind Multimillion-Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services helped investigate Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, a native of Nigeria recently named in a civil denaturalization complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Read the announcement→
April 10, 2026
USCIS Fraud Probe in L.A. Leads to Arrest of Criminal Alien
The vigilant fraud detection efforts of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services directly resulted in the arrest of Young Joo Ko, 59, of East Hollywood. Ko, a lawful permanent resident from South Korea, was charged in Los Angeles with fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents.
Read the announcement→
April 8, 2026
USCIS Assists in Arrest of Illegal Alien Charged in Fatal Truck Crash
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently played a critical role in the arrest of Dawood Hussain, an illegal Pakistani alien charged with felony vehicular homicide, after driving a commercial truck the wrong way on a Pennsylvania highway in October 2023.
Read the announcement→
March 31, 2026
FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year 2027 H-1B numerical allocations (known as the H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).
Read the announcement→
March 30, 2026
Update on USCIS’ Strengthened Screening and Vetting
Since taking office, President Trump has prioritized national security and public safety by implementing a series of executive orders and proclamations that mandate strict screening and vetting of foreign nationals seeking entry or immigration benefits.
Read the announcement→
March 20, 2026
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2026 and Filing Dates Now Available for Supplemental Visa Allocations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026.
Read the announcement→
March 2, 2026
DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security has posted a Federal Register notice regarding the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen.
Read the announcement→
February 26, 2026
USCIS Helps in Immigration Fraud Investigation Resulting in Indictments and Arrests in New York City
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided vital assistance during the investigation that led to a five-count indictment and arrests of four individuals.
Read the announcement→
February 24, 2026
Salvadoran Child Molester in North Carolina Denaturalized and Ordered Deported
A federal judge sentenced convicted child molester Isidro Arcenio Alvarado, 58, a native of El Salvador, to active prison time after he pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship. The judge also revoked his citizenship and ordered him removed from the United States.
Read the announcement→
February 20, 2026
USCIS Plays Key Role in Denaturalization Process to Begin for Former Mayor of the City of North Miami
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice led an investigation that has resulted in the filing this week of a civil denaturalization complaint in the U.S. District Court of Miami, Florida against former Mayor of the City of North Miami, Philippe Bien-Aime.
Read the announcement→
February 20, 2026
DHS Proposes Rule to Prioritize Americans' Safety by Strengthening Screening of Asylum Seekers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing a rule to reduce the incentive for aliens to file fraudulent asylum claims so they can obtain work authorizations.
Read the announcement→
February 13, 2026
Cap Reached for First Allocation of Returning Worker H-2B Visas FY 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 18,490 H-2B visas made available for the first allocation of returning workers of fiscal year 2026 with start dates from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2026, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2026 TFR).
Read the announcement→
February 13, 2026
DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen. The termination is effective 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
Read the announcement→
February 10, 2026
USCIS Assists in Marriage Fraud Conspiracy Investigation Resulting in 11 Indictments
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided key assistance during the investigation that led to a three-count indictment charging 11 individuals for their alleged roles in federal conspiracies related to marriage fraud and bribery.
Read the announcement→
January 30, 2026
FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4 and run through noon Eastern on March 19, 2026.
Read the announcement→