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Immigration News Briefs

Provided by Humera Subhani

June 2023

Pandemic asylum restrictions lifted at border

The Associated Press reported that the border between the U.S. and Mexico was relatively calm in May, offering few signs of the chaos that was feared following a rush by worried migrants to enter the U.S. before the end of pandemic-related immigration restrictions. Less than 24 hours after the rules known as Title 42 were lifted, migrants and government officials were still assessing the effect of the change and the new regulations adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration to stabilize the region.

“We did not see any substantial increase in immigration this morning,” said Blas Nunez-Neto, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security. He said the agency did not have specific numbers.

The Biden administration has said the revamped system is designed to crack down on illegal crossings and to offer a new legal pathway for migrants who often pay thousands of dollars to smugglers to get them to the border. Migrants are now essentially barred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they did not first apply online or seek protection in the countries they traveled through. Families allowed in as their immigration cases progress will face curfews and GPS monitoring.

Biometrics suspension for certain I-539 applicants

USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status. The previously announced suspension, which was initially in place until May 17, 2023, has been extended through September 30, 2023.

Stampless entry pilot program extended

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has simplified entry into the United States by instituting an automated I-94 process for most nonimmigrants arriving by air and sea. What began as a pilot program in certain ports of entry in April 2022, has become standard procedure across all US ports of entry. CBP has discontinued stamping passports with an entry stamp when foreign nationals enter the U.S. Instead, each time foreign nationals enter the country, CBP creates an online, electronic entry record to record the entry, known as the I-94 record. The I-94 electronic record serves as the official record of entry into the U.S. The issuance of a stamp in the passport is now at the discretion of CBP.

Travelers may and should access their I-94 Arrival/ Departure Records on the CBP website soon after they enter the U.S. to ensure the accuracy of the information. To obtain the information the site requires the foreign national’s name, date of birth, and passport number. The record found on the site documents each traveler’s nonimmigrant’s status, approved length of stay in the United States, and departure information. Because errors are not uncommon, there is the option of submitting an online request for corrections of the I-94 record through the CBP system. Alternatively, travelers may contact a local CBP office directly and request a deferred inspection to correct errors made at the time of entry.

APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR JUNE 2023

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Dec14	15Dec14
2A	08Sep20	08Sep20
2B	22Sep15	22Sep15
3rd	08Dec08	08Dec08
4th	15Sep05	08Apr07

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	01Feb22	Current
2nd	01Jan11	15Feb22
3rd	15Jun12	01Jun22
Other	15Jun12	01Jan20
4th	01Sep18	01Sep18
5th	01Apr17	Current1B

DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - JUNE 2023

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	01Jan17	01Jan17
2A	Current	Current
2B	01Jan17	01Jan17
3rd	08Feb10	08Feb10
4th	22Feb06	01Feb08

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	01Jun22	Current
2nd	01May12	01Dec22
3rd	01Aug12	01May23
Other	01Aug12	01Feb20
4th	01Oct18	01Oct18
5th	08Dec19	Current1B