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 GainWhen Will E-Verify Be Fully Restored After November 12, 2025 Shutdown?
E-Verify stayed offline after the November 12, 2025 government reopening with no confirmed restart date. Employers should retain I-9 records, avoid unauthorized partial checks, and prepare staffing and systems for…
Are There Penalties for Missed E-Verify Deadlines During the Shutdown?
During the October 1–7, 2025 outage, DHS suspended the three-business-day E-Verify rule and allowed catch-up until October 14,…
Delays in Green Card Interviews and Naturalization After Shutdown
USCIS remains operational after the October 1, 2025 shutdown, but Green Card interviews are delayed and naturalization ceremonies…
Post-Shutdown Onboarding and E-Verify: Timelines Through Oct 14, 2025
Following a 43-day E-Verify outage in 2025, employers must submit E-Verify cases for hires during the shutdown by…
Are EB-2 and EB-3 Priority Dates Safe During a Government Shutdown?
During a shutdown, USCIS continues fee-funded filings (I-140, I-485 if current) while DOL halts PERM and wage requests.…
Key E-Verify Flexibilities After the Oct–Nov 2025 Shutdown
After the October 1–8, 2025 outage, USCIS suspended the Three-Day Rule for that period and set October 14…
Shutdown Effects on USCIS Premium Processing Timelines for H-1B/L-1
USCIS maintains Premium Processing during the shutdown, but new H-1B petitions needing LCAs are frozen due to DOL…
What Happened to PERM Audits During the 2025 Government Shutdown
DOL resumed PERM processing on November 3, 2025, and issued a 33-day automatic extension for audit responses due…
Did USCIS Processing Slow During the 43-Day Shutdown Despite Fees?
The 43‑day government shutdown (Oct 1–30, 2025) slowed USCIS processing because DOL suspensions of LCAs and PERM created…
Estimating PERM Backlog Clearance After the November 2025 Shutdown
The DOL resumed FLAG operations on October 31, 2025, yet PERM processing remains backed up. Non‑audited cases average…