On August 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for Parole-in-Place (PIP) under President Biden’s Keeping Families Together (KFT) program. According to USCIS, the KFT program is an effort to promote the unity and stability of families, increase the economic prosperity of American communities, and reduce strain on limited U.S. government resources, and further national security, public safety...

On July 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the implementation of a new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) process for nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who have approved I-130s filed by U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) family members in the United States. These countries join Cuba and Haiti, who already have FRP processes in place since 2007, and 2014 respectively. For the past...

USCIS announced limited relief for people that have been affected by the recent earthquakes in Japan, Ecuador, and Burma. USCIS has softened some of their rules in certain cases when demonstrating need based on the earthquakes. Some examples of relief include: Changing or extending status in certain cases, even if status may have already expiredRe-parole if previously granted paroleExpedited handling of certain travel documentsExpedited handling of certain types of work permitsLarger...

As part of the President’s administrative program to expand immigration benefits under current law, two important aspects related to research and development in the United States are included. First, DHS Secretary Johnson directed USCIS to issue guidance or promulgate regulations to clarify the standard for which a National Interest Waiver might be granted. A National Interest Waiver permits certain non-residents to seek lawful permanent residency without an employer sponsor if they...