Ksena Karelina Freed From Russian Prison
Ksena Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russia citizen, was freed from Russian prison in a prisoner exchange after she had received a lengthy sentence for making a $52 donation to a charity conducting humanitarian work in Ukraine.
Invocation of Alien Enemies Act Against Tren de Aragua
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation applying the Alien Enemies Act to Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua who are neither U.S. citizens nor LPRs.
Revised Form I-129 Takes Effect on January 17, 2025
The USCIS is replacing the 04/01/24 edition of the Form I-129 with a new edition that reflects recent changes to the H-1B program. The new form takes effect on January 17, 2025.
EOIR Announces 25 New IJs in March 2022
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the investiture of 25 new Immigration Judges on March 25, 2022.
Additional 22,000 H2B Visas Made Available for FY-2021 For Certain Employers In Need
The DHS and DOL made 22,000 temporary nonagricultural guest worker visas for FY-2021 with 6,000 reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
17 New Immigration Judges Take the Bench in April 2021
In April 2021, 17 new immigration judges took the bench, including a number of administrative judges at the Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center.
USCIS Completes H1B Initial Electronic Registration Process
The USCIS announced on March 30, 2021, that it received enough H1B registrations to reach the FY 2022 H1B Cap.
USCIS Returns to 1999 Public Charge Rules
The DHS announced that it will not defend the new public charge rule of the Trump Administration in court, thus reverting to the 1999 public charge rule.
Supreme Court to Review Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule
The Supreme Court will review the Trump public charge rule, but it is unclear whether the Biden Administration will seek to defend the rules.
34 New Immigration Judges Sworn in During October and December 2020
In October 2020 and December 2020, the DOJ appointed a combined 34 new immigration judges to serve on a combined 24 immigration courts.
