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
Change of Status to F-1 Students No Longer Need to Submit "Bridge the Gap" Applications USCIS announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (for example, for B, H-4, J, or L) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 change of status (COS) application is pending. Under the previous policy, applicants needed to maintain status up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their Form I-20, Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which required them to file extensions, or an initial COS and subsequent extensions ensuring that they would not have a “gap” in status. Now students can file a change of status and may remain in the US while their application is pending, without needing to continue to apply to extend their previous status.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar Dependent DACA	July 20, 2021	Ongoing
I-9 Updates for Refugees and Asylees USCIS updated language to include reminders for employers that asylees and refugees may present acceptable documents in their possession	Employment	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Dependent DACA	July 19, 2021	Ongoing
F-1 Students from Yemen eligible to apply for Severe Economic Hardship (special work authorization + reduced course load) F-1 students whose country of citizenship is Yemen are eligible to apply for authorization to work off-campus, work more than 20 hours/week, and take less than the full-time required course load Undergarduate student could enroll in 6 credits/ semester instead of the required 12 credits/semester; graduate students could enroll in 3 credits/semester instead of the required 9 credits/semester	Employment Other	F-1 student	September 4, 2021	March 3, 2023
DHS Designates Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security designates Yemen for Temporary Protected status from September 4, 2021 to March 21, 2023 Citizens of Yemen who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of September 4, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Yemen'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 4, 2021	March 3, 2023
DHS Designates Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Department of Homeland Security designates Haiti for Temporary Protected Status from May 21, 2021 to December 31, 2022 Citizens of Haiti who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of May 21, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Haiti'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 Department of Homeland Security re-designates Haiti for Temporary Protected status from August 3, 2021 to February 3, 2023	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	May 21, 2021	December 31, 2022
F-1 Students from Burma eligible to apply for Severe Economic Hardship (special work authorization + reduced course load) F-1 students whose country of citizenship is Burma/Myanmar are eligible to apply for authorization to work off-campus, work more than 20 hours/week, and take less than the full-time required course load Undergarduate student could enroll in 6 credits/ semester instead of the required 12 credits/semester; graduate students could enroll in 3 credits/semester instead of the required 9 credits/semester	Employment Other	F-1 student	May 25, 2021	November 25, 2022
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants Applicants filing Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, and E nonimmigrant status are no longer required to submit biometrics with their application	Other	F-1 student H-1B Dependent	May 17, 2021	May 17, 2023
DACA and International Students Eligible for COVID-19 Financial Relief The Biden administration reversed a previous policy that barred F-1 international students, undocumented college students, and other immigrants from receiving federal education relief grants to pay for expenses during the coronavirus pandemic; those individuals are now eligible for receiving COVID-19 relief grants. The funds can be used for housing, food, and childcare.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student DACA	May 12, 2021	Ongoing
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online F-1 students can now apply for OPT online. Online filing allows applicants to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case anytime from anywhere, and receive notices from USCIS online instead of waiting for them in the mail. Certain individuals applying for an EAD card for other applications may also file the I-765 online Applicants can still submit paper applications to USCIS	Employment	F-1 student Permanent resident	April 12, 2021	Ongoing
DHS eases work rules for some Syrian, Venezuelan F-1 students Syrian and Venezuelan students in F-1 status may request work authorization, work an increased number of hours, and reduce their courseload while maintaining F-1 status.	Employment Other	F-1 student	April 22, 2021	September 30, 2022