TPS Designated for Ukraine, Afghanistan, and South Sudan: On March 2, 2022, DHS announced its redesignation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan for a period of 18 months. On March 3, 2022, and on March 16, 2022, DHS made its announcements for TPS designations for Ukraine and Afghanistan, which were also designated for 18-month initial periods. For Ukrainian nationals, to be eligible for TPS, they must be present in the U.S. since March 1, 2022. For Afghan nationals, they must be present in the U.S. since March 15, 2022.
Biden Administration Lifts Immigration Visa Sanctions on Laos: On February 8, 2022, the Biden Administration lifted another Trump-era restriction that will open up a pathway for an estimated 2,000 Laotians to be reunited with their families.
USCIS Urges Eligible Applicants to Switch Employment-Based Categories: On February 18, 2022, USCIS issued an announcement encouraging eligible applicants to consider requesting the transfer of their underlying basis of their adjustment of status to the first or second employment-based preference categories. The overall employment based annual limit for FY 2022 is approximately twice as high as usual, because it includes some additional 140,000 unused family-sponsor visa numbers from FY 2021.
Department of State Proposes Fee Increase on Certain Nonimmigration Visas: On December 29, 2021, the Department of State released a proposed rule to be published in the Federal Register proposing fee increases for tourist visas, employment-based visas, student and exchange visas, crew and transit visas, foreign media representatives, border crossing cards, and fees for the waiver of the J-1 visa two-year foreign residency requirement.
New CBP Process for Issuance of I-94s for Land Entrants: CBP issued a general notice that it is now issuing electronic rather than paper I-94s at land ports of entry except in limited circumstances. (Electronic I-94s have been issued for entry by air for years now. ) A Form I-94 is needed by all visitors except U.S. citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. Travelers are issued an I-94 during the admission process at the port of entry. CBP advises that travelers planning to enter via a land border may apply for an I-94 in advance, saving time while at the port of entry later.
