Office of International Education and Development

US Immigration Updates

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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

ICE guidance on international students taking online classes during COVID-19
Travel
Other
F-1 student
May 31, 2022
May 15, 2023

USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants
Other
F-1 student
H-1B
Dependent
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2023

Updated COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for J-1 Exchange Visitors
Travel
Employment
Other
J-1 student
J-1 scholar
April 22, 2022
June 30, 2023

DHS Designates Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months

  • Department of Homeland Security designates Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status from April 14, 2022 to October 14, 2023. 
  • Citizens of Cameroon who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of April 14, 2022 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
April 14, 2022
October 14, 2023

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 Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS. 
  • Individuals applying for TPS under the Afghanistan designation must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the 18-month initial registration period that runs from May 20, 2022, through Nov. 20, 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 
Employment
Other
F-1 student
J-1 student
J-1 scholar
H-1B
Permanent resident
Dependent
DACA
May 20, 2022
November 20, 2023

DHS Designates Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months
Employment
Other
F-1 student
J-1 student
J-1 scholar
H-1B
Permanent resident
Dependent
DACA
October 20, 2022
April 20, 2024

DHS Designates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months

  • USCIS has automatically extended the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) previously issued under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Venezueladesignation.
  • EADs covered by this extension are valid through March 10, 2025 and will list: An expiration date of March 10, 2024 or September 9, 2022 on the EAD, and A category code of A-12 or C-19.
  • You can find more information in the advance copy of the Federal Register notice explaining this EAD extension. The official version of the Federal Register notice will be available on USCIS’s TPS Venezuela page (en español).
  • If your EAD is covered by this automatic extension, you can use your existing EAD through March 10, 2025 as evidence of your permission to work.
Employment
Other
F-1 student
J-1 student
J-1 scholar
H-1B
Permanent resident
Dependent
DACA
March 9, 2021
March 10, 2025

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