Office of International Education and Development

US Immigration Updates

US Immigration Updates

What is this database?

This resource is a searchable database of US immigration updates impacting members of the Appalachian community. This is a general information summary database of select immigration updates and is not intended to be comprehensive.

This table is updated weekly on Mondays.

Please contact issso@appstate.edu if you would like to suggest an update or if you have questions or concerns regarding your specific situation.

Title	Topic	Population impacted	Effective start date of guidance	End date of guidance
DHS extends Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan The Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing that it is automatically extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for South Sudan, effective May 3, 2022 through Nov. 3, 2023. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US.	Travel Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	May 3, 2022	November 3, 2023
DHS Redesignates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. Citizens of Ukraine who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US since March 1, 2022 are eligible for TPS under Ukraine's designation. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US.	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	August 18, 2023	April 19, 2025
Electronic I-20s now Acceptable Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)now allows international student advisors to send (email) and sign I-20s electronically. Students must still print their I-20 and use a hard copy for travel.	Other	F-1 student Dependent	November 1, 2021	Ongoing
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Response time to Requests for Evidence and Others This flexibility ended on March 23, 2023 and is no longer in effect. USCIS will accept responses to Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny (see website for full list) that are received by USCIS within 60 calendar days of the due date set in the request or notice for any notice that is dated between March 1, 2020 and March 23, 2023; USCIS will not take any action. For example, if you receive a Request for Evidence with a due date of October 1, 2021, you now have an additional 60 days (until November 30, 2021) to respond to this Request for Evidence.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	December 30, 2021	January 23, 2023
Consular Offices May Waive In-Person Visa Interview Requirement for certain F, J, M Applicants Conusular offices may waive the visa interview requirement for F, M and academic J visa applicants for the remainder of 2021. Some restrictions apply; see full announcement for details and contact your local embassy for eligibility.	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar	September 15, 2021	December 31, 2021
DHS extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan The Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing that it is automatically extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan through Dec. 31, 2022. On March 1,2022 - Sudan was redesignated until September 1, 2023. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US.	Travel Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	September 13, 2021	December 31, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Immigrant Medical Exam Based on CDC recommendations, a COVID-19 vaccine is now a required part of the immigrant medical exam for those who are eligible to receive a vaccine. Some exceptions apply.	Other	H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	August 25, 2021	Ongoing
Extended Flexibility for Certain OPT Applicants Students who timely filed their I-765 application for OPT or STEM OPT between October 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021, and then later received a rejection, may refile their OPT applications by November 30, 2021. For applications received through October 31, 2021, applicants can file the I-765 up to 120 days before the program end date (normal regulations require applications to be filed no more than 90 days before the program end date).	Employment Other	F-1 student	October 1, 2020	October 31, 2021
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal Update A federal court found DACA unlawful. The government cannot grant new DACA applications. But existing DACA recipients are allowed to retain their grant of DACA and apply for renewal All individuals whose DACA requests were granted prior to this decision will continue to have and be eligible to renew DACA Frequently Asked Questions available, as well as Reminders to DACA Recipients and Employers in Spanish and English	Immigration/Visa status Employment Other	DACA	July 16, 2021	Ongoing
DHS Designates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security designates Somalia for Temporary Protected status from September 18, 2021 to March 17, 2023 Citizens of Somalia who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of September 18, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Somalia's designation. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	September 18, 2021	March 17, 2023