POLICY & ANALYSIS

Policy updates

Follow U.S. immigration policy, filing changes and official announcements.

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Citizenship & naturalization2023-08-25

Access to Voter Registration Services during Naturalization Ceremonies

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding access to voter registration services during administrative naturalization ceremonies. As of August 31, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is rescinding PA-2025-21, Voter Registration at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies, and the related provisions. The USCIS Policy Manual version effective June 28, 2017, found in Volume 12, Part J, Chapter 5, Sections F and H, is reinstated.

Policy update

Family & children2023-08-24

Sought to Acquire Requirement Under the Child Status Protection Act

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that USCIS considers the recent February 14, 2023, policy change to be an extraordinary circumstance that may excuse the “sought to acquire” requirement under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in particular situations.

Policy update

Employment & work visas2023-08-16

Physician National Interest Waivers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to confirm the evidentiary requirements for physicians seeking a national interest waiver of the job offer requirement based on work in an underserved area or at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility.

Policy update

Family & children2023-08-11

Bona Fide Determination Process for Qualifying Family Members of U Nonimmigrant Victims of Qualifying Crimes

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to provide that USCIS may review and determine if a qualifying family member’s petition for U nonimmigrant status is bona fide, and if already filed, adjudicate their Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765), once the principal petitioner receives a Bona Fide Determination (BFD), even if the principal petitioner has not filed Form I-765.

Policy update

General policy2023-08-01

Statelessness

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address stateless noncitizens present in the United States. This guidance becomes effective October 30, 2023.

Policy update

Green cards & adjustment2023-07-20

Incorporating Guidance on Applicability of the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to help applicants for adjustment of status more easily identify whether they are subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update

General policy2023-07-06

Application Support Center Reschedule Requests and Missed Appointments

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address procedures related to biometric services appointments at an Application Support Center (ASC).

Policy update

Work authorization & students2023-06-14

Employment Authorization Documents Based on Compelling Circumstances

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address eligibility criteria and standards for applications for employment authorization involving compelling circumstances.

Policy update

General policy2023-06-08

Nonimmigrant Exchange Visitor (J) Visa Classification

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the nonimmigrant exchange visitor (J) visa classification, including USCIS’ role in the adjudication of waivers of the 2-year foreign residence requirement and change of status requests under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update

General policy2023-05-31

Removing Outdated Alert Box and Revising Part Title

This technical update to Volume 7 removes an alert box that was superseded by the Policy Manual update on October 6, 2022. This technical update also removes “EB-4" from the title of Volume 7, Part F and makes related conforming edits.

Policy update

General policy2023-05-04

Removing Guidance Related to the 2020 Civics Test

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to remove references to the 2020 version of the civics test.

Policy update

Family & children2023-04-21

Citizenship for Adopted Children

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how citizenship and naturalization provisions apply to adopted children.

Policy update

Policy updates

Access to Voter Registration Services during Naturalization Ceremonies

Sought to Acquire Requirement Under the Child Status Protection Act

Physician National Interest Waivers

Bona Fide Determination Process for Qualifying Family Members of U Nonimmigrant Victims of Qualifying Crimes

Statelessness

Incorporating Guidance on Applicability of the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

Application Support Center Reschedule Requests and Missed Appointments

Employment Authorization Documents Based on Compelling Circumstances

Nonimmigrant Exchange Visitor (J) Visa Classification

Removing Outdated Alert Box and Revising Part Title

Removing Guidance Related to the 2020 Civics Test

Citizenship for Adopted Children

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