USCIS
Processing time trackers, fee schedule changes, form updates, and policy memos from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Covers service center operations, office closures, and adjudication trends.
Top questions about USCIS
Answers from VisaVerge guidesWhat new policies were introduced by USCIS in 2025?
New policies included stricter naturalization testing and the termination of multiple humanitarian parole programs.
Read: USCIS End-of-Year Review Highlights Rigorous Immigration Enforcement ActionsWhat enforcement approach did DHS and USCIS implement as of January 2026?
DHS and USCIS implemented a zero-release and mandatory detention approach as of January 3, 2026, pushing longer immigration detention and fewer releases while deportation cases move through the system.
Read: How Long Can Immigration Detention Last Before Deportation Under Current LawWhat actions were taken by federal agencies in January 2026 that affected immigration processes?
On January 14, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries effective January 21, 2026. On January 15, 2026, USCIS announced Operation PARRIS to re-examine refugee cases for fraud/security.
Read: Family Self-Departs U.S. After 11-Year Green Card Backlog ReckoningWhat actions should people take if they have a pending immigration application due to recent policy changes?
People with pending applications should know their rights, gather documents, contact legal help, check their status, and stay informed about updates from official sources.
Read: Debate Intensifies Over Military’s Expanding Role in Immigration PolicyWhat changes did the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announce in 2025?
USCIS announced inflation adjustments that increased premium processing fees, with Form I-129 increasing from $2,805 to $2,965 and Form I-140 rising to $2,965.
Read: UK Government Hikes Immigration and Visa Fees, Canada and Germany GainEB-2 India Backlog Holds at July 2013 in February 2026 Bulletin
EB-2 India remains stalled in the February 2026 Visa Bulletin with a Final Action Date of July 15, 2013. Processing times for I-485 applications range from 8 to 14 months,…
Key Differences between February 2026 Visa Bulletin vs January Explained
The U.S. Department of State released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin on January 5, 2026, revealing how immigrant…
H-1B Layoff Threat Sends PERM Process Into Chaos, Experts Warn
The U.S. is implementing major immigration reforms including a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visas, a wage-based selection…
Beyond the Travel Ban: Understanding USCIS Benefits Pause for Employers
A new USCIS policy implements an adjudicative hold on immigration benefits for nationals from 39 high-risk countries. The…
200 Immigration and Border Cases Filed in Week One of 2026
The Southern District of Texas filed 200 immigration criminal cases in early January 2026, emphasizing border enforcement. While…
New U.S. Citizenship Process Adds Harder Civics Test and Stricter Vetting
A Request for Evidence (RFE) is a common hurdle in the U.S. naturalization process, especially under new 2025…
H-1B Lottery 2026: Understanding the 4-3-2-1 Weighted Selection
A new DHS rule replaces the random H-1B lottery with a weighted system based on wage levels. Starting…
OPT Premium Delays Intensify Risk for F-1 Job Offers
Form I-765 allows F-1 students to apply for OPT and STEM OPT work authorization. Successful applications require a…
DHS Expands Operation PARRIS in Minnesota to Review 5,600 Refugee Claims
DHS has launched Operation PARRIS in Minnesota to enhance the integrity of refugee and green card cases. The…
USCIS Raises Premium Processing Fees to $1,780 (March 2026)
Effective March 1, 2026, USCIS will raise premium processing fees for Form I-907 to combat inflation. This service…