The month of April 2022 was an extremely busy month for USCIS, and by extension, immigration lawyers.
Here is a brief summary of announcements from USCIS in April 2022:
USCIS Implemented Risk-based approach for Conditional Permanent Resident Interviews - April 7, 2022. A noncitizen who obtains permanent resident status based on a marriage that began less than two years before obtaining that status receives permanent resident status on a conditional basis for two years. To remove the conditions on permanent resident status, family-based CPRs generally must file a Form I-751 within the 90-day period before the two-year anniversary of when they obtained CPR status. With this new policy, USCIS can now choose to waive the in-person interview with USCIS if there is no indication of fraud or misrepresentation in supporting documents, there are no complex facts or issues to resolve, and there is no criminal history that would render the CPR removable.
USCIS designates Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months - Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of April 14, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.
DHS announced the registration process for TPS for Ukraine and Sudan - The TPS registration process began on April 19, 2022. To be eligible, Ukrainian nationals must have had continuous residence since April 11, 2022. Sudanese nationals must have had continuous residence in the United States since March 1, 2022.
USCIS Provides Information on Uniting for Ukraine - On April 21, the United States announced Uniting for Ukraine, a key step towards fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. They will also be eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS.
For more information on these announcements from USCIS, or to set up a consultation regarding your specific immigration legal situation, please contact us by clicking the button below.