Home > Magazine > Immigration > Immigration News Briefs

Immigration News Briefs

Provided by Humera Subhani

July 2021

Restrictions eased for the fully vaccinated

Due to updated guidance from the CDC, USCIS has updated its visitor policy. Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a face covering. Individuals two years old and older who are not fully vaccinated must still wear a face covering. To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine.

USCIS has eased other requirements for fully vaccinated individuals who do not have Covid-19 symptoms. Those who have returned from domestic air, international air or cruise ship travel in the past 10 days may enter USCIS facilities if they are fully vaccinated. Individuals who have been in close contact (within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with anyone known to have Covid-19 in the previous 14 days may also enter USCIS facilities if they are fully vaccinated.

Policy updates for several processes

USCIS has issued new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve request for evidence (RFE) and notice of intent to deny (NOID) guidance; and increase the validity period for initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.

Criteria for expedited processing

Under the updated expedite criteria policy, benefit requestors and USCIS officers are provided further guidance on when expedited processing may be warranted. Expedited processing is a special-situation service that USCIS considers for benefit requestors who urgently need their request for immigration benefits adjudicated. USCIS reviews such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Requests for notices of intent to deny

USCIS is returning to the adjudicative principles of a June 2013 memo that instructed agency officers to issue an RFE or NOID when additional evidence could potentially demonstrate eligibility for an immigration benefit. As part of the updated policy, USCIS is rescinding a July 2018 memo that permitted agency officers to deny certain immigration benefit requests instead of first issuing an RFE or NOID.

This updated policy will ensure that benefit requestors are given an opportunity to correct innocent mistakes and unintentional omissions. In general, a USCIS officer will issue an RFE or NOID when the officer determines additional information or explanation may potentially establish eligibility for an immigration benefit.

Employment authorization documents

USCIS will increase the current one-year validity period on both initial and renewal EADs to two years for certain adjustment of status applicants. This guidance was issued due to ongoing processing delays affecting the completion of adjustment of status applications. Renewing EADs in this category is generally free, and USCIS received nearly 370,000 adjustment-related employment authorization requests in fiscal year 2020.

APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR JULY 2021

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Nov14	15Nov14
2A	Current	Current
2B	15Sep15	15Sep15
3rd	01Nov08	01Nov08
4th	15Aug05	08Feb07

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	Current	Current
2nd	01Jun11	Current
3rd	01Jan13	Current
Other	01Jan13	Current
4th	Current	Current
5th	Current	Current1B

DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - JUNE 2021

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15May16	15May16
2A	01Jun21	01Jun21
2B	22Sep16	22Sep16
3rd	22Aug09	22Aug09
4th	01Dec05	01Oct07

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	Current	Current
2nd	01Dec11	Current
3rd	01Feb14	Current
Other	01Feb14	Current
4th	Current	Current
5th	Current	Current1B