Newsletter Week of March 16
REAL ID Act Identification Requirements Delayed to 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) postponed the date on which all entry to federally controlled facilities, including commercial aircraft, will require identification compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Previously, the identification requirement had been set to take effect on May 3, 2023. The new deadline is May 7, 2025. DHS cited difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic created for states, territories, and the District of Columbia to produce compliant cards and for individuals to obtain them in moving the deadline.
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Mobile Biometrics Services
USCIS Policy Manual has been updated to address how they provide mobile biometrics services. The purpose of the new guidance is to reduce barriers for benefit requestors who are unable to attend appointments at Application Support Centers to provide biometrics, such as fingerprints, required for certain benefit requests. To view the policy changes, access the USCIS Policy Manual here.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023. In accordance with regulations, they determined it was necessary to use a computer-generated selection process intended to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of H-2B visa cap numbers available, without exceeding the FY 2023 cap. USCIS will continue to accept H-2B petitions that are exempt from the congressionally mandated cap, including current H-2B workers in the United States who wish to extend their stay.
