We have a new Lockbox Filing Location Updates webpage for customers to keep track of the updates we make to lockbox filing locations. You can use this page to easily see which lockbox form filing locations we have updated and when we made the update. This page will be updated regularly but we always encourage you to check the “Where to File” section of your form’s webpage for the most current information on where to mail your form.

Read more: USCIS Creates New Webpage for Lockbox Filing Location Updates.

On Aug. 12, USCIS issued guidance in the Policy Manual temporarily extending the validity period of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.

USCIS has prioritized employment-based adjustment of status applications during every step of its processing and adjudication during this fiscal year. We continue to make processing and resource allocation decisions to increase the pace of adjudications and limit the potential for employment-based visa numbers to go unused. If you are applying for a Green Card in an employment-based category and we issued you a Request for Evidence (RFE) for your Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, you should respond as soon as possible so we can finalize a decision on your adjustment application.

If we sent you an RFE because your Form I-693 had expired after two years, but it is valid under the temporary extension to four years and you meet the requirements, please respond to the RFE by citing, printing out or otherwise mentioning this policy alert.

On Aug. 5, 2021, President Biden issued a Memorandum to the Secretary of Homeland Security authorizing DED and employment authorization for 18 months for eligible individuals. USCIS will issue a Federal Register Notice as soon as possible to implement the president’s memorandum.

We understand you may have questions about DACA and the recent court decision in State of Texas et al. v. United States of America et al., 1:18-CV-00068 (S.D. Texas July 16, 2021). We have updated our website to help answer some of your questions about the decision, including how it may affect your current DACA and work authorization, or any requests for DACA or related benefits.

To learn more, visit our Additional Information re: July 16, 2021 DACA Texas II decision page. 

On July 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas held that the DACA policy “is illegal.” The Court granted summary judgment on plaintiffs’ Administrative Procedure Act (APA) claims; vacated the June 15, 2012 DACA memorandum issued by former Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano; remanded the memorandum to DHS  for further consideration; and issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the government’s continued administration of DACA and the reimplementation of DACA without compliance with the APA. The Court, however, temporarily stayed its order vacating the DACA memorandum and its injunction with regard to individuals who obtained DACA on or before July 16, 2021, including those with renewal requests.

Consistent with this order, DHS will continue to accept the filing of both initial and renewal DACA requests, as well as accompanying requests for employment authorization. However, pursuant to the July 16, 2021 order from the Southern District of Texas, DHS is prohibited from granting initial DACA requests and accompanying requests for employment authorization. Also consistent with that order, DHS will continue to grant or deny renewal DACA requests, according to existing policy. If you have questions about this decision or want to learn more, visit our Additional Information re: July 16, 2021 DACA Texas II decision page.

The 2019 Public Charge Final Rule is no longer in effect, and DHS will partner with federal agencies to ensure impacted individuals are aware.

Read more here: Public Charge Letter to Interagency Partners.

• March 10: The Public Charge Final Rule

We are no longer applying the August 2019 Public Charge Final Rule. On March 9, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit lifted its stay of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ Nov. 2, 2020, decision which vacated the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule nationwide. USCIS immediately stopped applying the Public Charge Final Rule to all pending applications and petitions.

For more information, see our main public charge webpage, our public charge litigation page, and DHS’s news release.