On July 31, DHS announced a final rule on the USCIS fee schedule. The rule adjusts fees that we charge for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests to help recover the full operating costs of our services. The rule becomes effective Oct. 2, 2020. For more information, see our news release.

USCIS is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program that will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. These grant programs are mandated by Congress and funded with appropriations rather than the agency’s operating funds. 

• Read the press release.
• Visit uscis.gov/grants for more information.

Please see the announcement and memorandum issued by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf. More information will soon be available.

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual with clarifying guidance on the deployment of investment capital under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

On Jul. 15, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is consolidating existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the discretionary analysis required in the adjudication of certain benefit requests, including certain applications for employment authorization. Visit uscis.gov/policy-manual for more information.

“Monday’s presidential proclamation temporarily restricts certain categories of visas from being issued to protect jobs for American workers while our economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19. This does not affect those currently working in the U.S. on valid H-1B or similar visas. The proclamation also does not prevent individuals in possession of valid visas prior to the effective date of the proclamation from entering or re-entering the country, if they have been abroad, provided they have not otherwise rendered themselves inadmissible. The U.S. will continue to honor these already valid visas as we help American workers get back on their feet.” – USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow

On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order, which seeks to create higher wages and employment rates for U.S. workers and to protect their economic interests by rigorously enforcing and administering our immigration laws. It also directs DHS, in coordination with other agencies, to advance policies to help ensure H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid beneficiaries. USCIS is working on a combination of rulemaking, policy memoranda, and operational changes to implement the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order. We are creating and carrying out these initiatives to protect the economic interests of U.S. workers and prevent fraud and abuse within the immigration system.