OCIVerse 🌍

BOSTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the apprehension of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts between March 18 and 23.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognizes two biological sexes, male and female.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services helped Homeland Security Investigations in a case of naturalization fraud, resulting in the indictment of Juan Antonio Ruiz, 47, a naturalized U.S. citizen.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in an investigation that resulted in a postal worker being found guilty by a federal jury on charges of mail theft and bank fraud that illegally netted him more than $1.6 million and lying to obtain U.S. citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services assisted in the investigation that led to the conviction of Jean Morose Viliena on three counts of visa fraud.

A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey returned a two-count indictment against a New Jersey man for falsely stating on an application for naturalization that he had never been associated with a terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.

USCIS received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2025. The filing dates for supplemental H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2025 are now available.

This month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced the results of a yearlong federal investigation into illegal firearm sales across Massachusetts. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a significant human smuggling investigation that resulted in the conviction of two men and the extradition of a third for their involvement in 53 deaths and 11 injuries in 2022.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services assisted in the investigation that led to the arrest of a Brazilian national for selling fake Social Security cards and Green Cards.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a Temporary Restraining Order in Maryland, et al v. United States Dep’t of Agriculture, et al, No. 25-cv-00748, Docket No. 43 (D. Md.) on March 13, 2025.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a recent Justice Department announcement of a Broward County resident arraigned on a federal indictment charging her with submission of a fraudulent asylum applications to USCIS.

A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients, following an investigation assisted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in the investigation of a San Luis Obispo County woman arrested on a federal criminal complaint last month.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in a case resulting in the sentencing of a Bronx-based former immigration attorney.

On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Contact Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 at 11:50 p.m. through Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern.

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025.

After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).