As of today, March 13, 2025, here are some significant recent developments in U.S. immigration:
USCIS Updates:
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Extensions: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended TPS for several countries:
- Ukraine: Extended for 18 months, from April 20, 2025, to October 19, 2026, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions preventing safe return. uscis.gov
- Sudan: Similarly extended for 18 months, from April 20, 2025, to October 19, 2026, owing to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions. uscis.gov
- Venezuela: Extended for 18 months, from April 3, 2025, to October 2, 2026, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions preventing safe return. uscis.gov
- El Salvador: Extended for 18 months, from March 10, 2025, to September 9, 2026, due to environmental conditions hindering safe return. uscis.gov
- H-2B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS announced that it has received enough petitions to meet the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025, with start dates on or before March 31, 2025. uscis.gov
Policy Changes:
- Social Media Disclosure Requirement: The White House has proposed a new requirement for immigrants applying for green cards, citizenship, and other benefits to provide their social media handles. This measure aims to verify applicants’ identities and assess potential risks to public safety. The public has a 60-day period to comment on this proposal. Boundless
- Gender Identity Options on Forms: USCIS has removed the “Another Gender Identity” option from key immigration forms, reverting to only “Male” and “Female” choices. This change aligns with the State Department’s elimination of the “X” gender marker on passports. Additionally, the term “alien” has been reinstated, replacing “noncitizen” and “foreign national.” These changes may present challenges for nonbinary and transgender applicants. Boundless