On August 29, 2025, USCIS announced that they are moving away from paper payments. Starting October 28, 2025, you’ll need to pay fees either by ACH debit (Form G-1650) or credit card (Form G-1450). All other forms of payment are …
USCIS Implements New Parole Fee
Starting October 16, 2025, DHS announced that most people granted parole into the U.S. must pay a $1,000 fee (with exceptions). You’ll only pay after USCIS or another agency approves parole, not when you file your application. This fee is …
DHS Ends Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization
On October 29, 2025, USCIS announced that after October 30, 2025, work authorization will no longer be automatically extended just by filing the renewal application. Applicants must file early to avoid gaps in work authorization, as DHS is increasing vetting …
USCIS Implements Pause on Final Decisions of All Form Types for Nationals from Travel Ban Countries
On November 27, 2025, USCIS announced that they are tightening immigration vetting by factoring in risks tied to applicants’ countries of origin, following a violent incident involving an Afghan national. USCIS will now consider country-specific factors when deciding any applications …
DHS Ends Humanitarian Parole Process and Terminates Family Reunification Parole Programs
On December 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that they are ending all family reunification parole (FRP) programs for people from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, along with their immediate family members. This is scheduled …
USCIS Updates Photo Policy
On September 12, 2025 USCIS updated its photo reuse rules. Now, the agency will only reuse a photo taken at a previous biometrics appointment if it’s less than 3 years old at the time you file. Previously, photos could be …
USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed On or After Nov. 1, 2023
On June 11, 2025, USCIS announced that effective immediately, a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record that was signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the I-485 application …
Notice To Appear (NTA) Policy Expansion
On February 28, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum which expanded the circumstances under which the USCIS is permitted to issue a Notice To Appear (NTA) to a noncitizen. A Notice to Appear (NTA) …
Alien Registration Requirement
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, to ensure that people comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302), and that failure to …
COVID-19 Vaccination Not Required
As of January 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for applicants applying for an adjustment of status. Previously, the USCIS would deny any application that did not …