USCIS

USCIS Aids Immigration Fraud Investigation Leading to Indictments

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assisted an investigation in New York that resulted in the indictment and arrest of four individuals for alleged immigration fraud. The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and false impersonation of U.S. officials, with over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions identified.

Immigration Fraudster Arrested Working as Corrections Officer

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the arrest of Morris Brown, a Liberian national working as a Minnesota corrections officer, for serial immigration fraud. Brown allegedly overstayed his student visa, made false claims to U.S. citizenship, and committed marriage fraud.

DHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Asylum Seeker Screening

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule to strengthen the screening of asylum seekers and reduce fraudulent claims for work authorization. The proposed changes aim to decrease the incentive for meritless applications, thereby reducing processing times and the asylum backlog.

Salvadoran Child Molester Denaturalized and Ordered Deported

USCIS announced that a Salvadoran national, Isidro Arcenio Alvarado, has been denaturalized and ordered deported from the US after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining citizenship. Alvarado concealed his criminal history, including child molestation charges, on his naturalization application. This action is part of Operation False Haven.

USCIS Rescinds Expedited Naturalization for Certain SSI Beneficiaries

USCIS has rescinded its policy guidance for expedited naturalization processing for certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. This change impacts individuals who were previously eligible for expedited processing under a settlement agreement related to the Kaplan v. Chertoff case.

USCIS Implements New Immigration Parole Fee

USCIS has issued policy guidance implementing a new immigration parole fee, as established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This fee applies to all aliens paroled into the United States on or after October 16, 2025, unless an exception applies.

USCIS Updates EAD Validity Periods for Certain Categories

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect changes in Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity periods for specific categories, as mandated by recent legislation. These changes apply to pending or newly filed requests on or after July 22, 2025.

USCIS Updates VAWA Program Integrity Guidance

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual guidance for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program to restore program integrity and combat fraud. The changes clarify eligibility requirements and evidence expectations for self-petitioners, particularly in response to increased filings from non-traditional demographics and recent fraud convictions.

DHS, DOJ Rule on Asylum Eligibility for Security and Health Risks

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued a final rule, effective December 31, 2025, that withdraws certain outdated amendments from a 2020 rule. This action retains the ability to consider public health risks as a security bar to asylum and withholding of removal during public health emergencies.

USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees Due to Inflation

USCIS is increasing fees for premium processing services to account for inflation, as authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. The new fees, effective March 1, 2026, will help fund adjudication and naturalization services. Specific fee increases are detailed for various petition and application types.