POLICY & ANALYSIS

Policy updates

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

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Fees, forms & filing

November 5, 2025 - OFLC Announces Extensions and Emergency Procedures of Certain Application Processing Actions Impacted by the Government Shutdown

The Department recognizes the challenges that some employers are experiencing due to the cessation of processing activities by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) in response to the lapse in appropriations.  Due to the government shutdown, beginning October 1, OFLC ceased all application processing activities and suspended public access to its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system and SeasonalJobs.dol.gov registry of H-2A and H-2B temporary job opportunities. Consequently, employers were unable to prepare and submit requests for prevailing wage determinations or labor certifications using the FLAG system or take necessary action to upload or submit responses to correspondence issued by OFLC prior to the shutdown between October 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

Official announcement
Green cards & adjustment

Admission for Adjustment of Status under INA 245(a)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect the conclusion by the U.S. Supreme Court in Sanchez v. Mayorkas , 141 S.Ct. 1809 (2021) that a grant of U nonimmigrant status to an alien who is in the United States is not an “admission” for purposes of adjustment of status under section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

October 31, 2025. The Department of Labor Announces that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification has Resumed Application Processing

The Department of Labor has resumed processing of employer requests for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations for temporary and permanent employment in the United States. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification’s (OFLC) Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is now accessible and permits system users to prepare and submit new applications as well as submit and receive information associated with their applications pending a final determination. In addition, OFLC’s SeasonalJobs.dol.gov system, which is an online job registry of H-2A and H-2B temporary job opportunities, has been restored to full operational status.

Official announcement
Fees, forms & filing

Transition to Electronic Payments

This technical update incorporates the policy guidance that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced August 29, 2025, on the transition from accepting paper-based forms of payment to requiring electronic payment. This update involves the publication of two new forms, the Authorization for ACH Transactions ( Form G-1650 ) and Exemption for Paper Fee Payment ( Form G-1651 ). This guidance became effective October 28, 2025.

Policy update
Citizenship & naturalization

Revising Guidance on Naturalization Civics Educational Requirement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to implement the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test with some modifications (“2025 Naturalization Civics Test”), which helps ensure proper assimilation of lawful immigrants into the United States and promote a unified American identity and attachment to the Constitution, laws, and founding principles of the United States. This update also provides clarification on the requirements an alien must demonstrate to sufficiently establish knowledge and understanding of civics as required under section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update
Family & children

Family-Based Immigration: Spousal Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on qualifying spousal relationships for purposes of family-based immigrant visa petitions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update
Citizenship & naturalization

USCIS Updates Guidance on Military Naturalization

We are issuing guidance to explain that uncharacterized discharges that occurred on or after Aug. 1, 2024, do not meet the requirement of a separation “under honorable conditions” for former alien service members to naturalize under Sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Policy update
Citizenship & naturalization

Naturalization Guidance for Alien Service Members

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to explain why uncharacterized discharges no longer meet the requirement of a separation “under honorable conditions” for former alien service members to naturalize under Sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and to explain changes in process for former alien service members who had been receiving naturalization interviews and oath ceremony services at land ports of entry.

Policy update
Employment & work visas

H-1B FAQ

On Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation, "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," that took an important, initial, and incremental step to reform the H-1B visa program to curb abuses and protect American workers.

Policy update

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