U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced the launch of a redesigned Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) with new security features that will reduce fraud—part of USCIS’ ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration system. USCIS began using redesigned certificates at all offices today, and the agency anticipates that over 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year.
Purpose
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence because they may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: August 20, 2025
Synopsis
A new USCIS policy on Good Moral Character (GMC), effective August 15, 2025, raises concerns despite its seemingly flexible approach. While it aims for a "holistic" review, applicants may now face a higher burden to prove their worthiness beyond just lacking a criminal record.
For more information on this article, please see the attachment below.
Release Date
08/20/2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is restoring robust screening and vetting processes to detect aliens seeking to defraud or abuse the immigration system, including aliens who make false claims to U.S. citizenship. USCIS is also actively increasing public awareness among aliens and the public about the consequences of committing immigration fraud. Aliens who use false information or deceitful practices to unfairly obtain immigration advantages will face serious consequences.
The proposed regulation represents the most significant change to student and exchange visitor immigration in over 40 years. As stated in the preamble:
"DHS proposes to amend its regulations by changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period." (Page 1)
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form G-845 Supplement, Verification Request
08/12/2025 01:46 PM EDT
Edition Date: 08/12/25. Starting Oct. 27, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 08/12/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/08/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form G-845, Verification Request
08/12/2025 12:36 PM EDT
Published by: The Times of India - August 29, 2025
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/dhs-regulation-seeks-to-tighten…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Fundamentally, the regulatory process provides one of the most direct ways for individuals to influence government policy. When agencies like the Department of Homeland Security propose new immigration regulations, they are required, by law, to seek public input and respond to significant and relevant comments. This is not merely a formality—agencies have been successfully challenged in court when they fail to consider and respond adequately to well-crafted public comments.
Release Date
08/29/2025
New form allows payment of filing fees, services via secure direct debit payments
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has implemented a new way to pay fees using electronic debit from a U.S. bank account. Effective immediately, individuals can make transactions directly to USCIS by completing and signing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, and filing it with their applications, petitions, or requests.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver
07/22/2025 02:50 PM EDT
Edition Date: 07/22/25. USCIS will also accept prior editions (or a written request). You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
07/31/2025 02:10 PM EDT
Edition Date: 07/31/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
Release Date
08/01/2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that will enhance the capability to screen and vet family-based immigrant visa petitions. This update explains requirements and adjudication of these petitions, including eligibility criteria, filing, interviews, and decisions.
Release Date
08/04/2025
Policy enhancements aim to prevent aliens who are males from being authorized to participate in women’s sports in the United States
Can H-1B Workers Work Remotely from Outside the USA? The Legal Reality vs. Enforcement Practice
The remote work revolution has fundamentally changed how we think about employment, but for H-1B workers, the question of working from outside the USA, for example, India, creates a complex web of legal and practical considerations. This article addresses the most pressing questions we receive from H-1B workers and their employers about remote work abroad, cutting through the confusion to provide practical guidance.
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | May 2024 |
| Audit Review | N/A |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2025 |
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and free for life. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and free for life. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Number 6
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
USCIS and allied agencies responsible for immigration are using information on social networking sites (such as Facebook) to track the activities and postings made by immigration benefits applicants/beneficiaries for evidence of fraudulent activity. While, on principle I agree with deterring fraud, but the "big brother" stance of USCIS is deplorable. Beware folks - big brother is watching. Something you post even in jest may not be that funny in the hands of a govt. officer whose career is dedicated to finding fraud.
On August 13, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-230, which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. The law, which already in effect, requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions.vUSCIS has clarified certain matters that employers should bear in mind.
Questions and Answers
Q. To which petitioners does the new fee apply?