USCIS Addresses Work Permit Limbo With Longer Automatic Extensions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs), saving nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants from a lapse in work authorization. Automatic extensions will now go up to 540 days, a significant improvement from the previous 180-day period.
USCIS estimates that approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers across the U.S. would have been negatively impacted as a result of the lapse.
Medical Exams Will Remain Valid Indefinitely With New USCIS Guidance
USCIS announced that it has updated the guidelines for Form I-693 validity periods. All Form I-693 Medical Exams completed and signed after November 1, 2023 will now remain valid indefinitely. As of this date, Form I-693s no longer expire.
For all medical exams filed before November 1, 2023, the previous validity period of two years still applies. Learn more here.
U.S. Government in Talks With China Over Chinese Migrant Crossings
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are in high-level talks with the Chinese government over an increasing number of Chinese migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) figures, more than 24,000 Chinese nationals crossed in 2023 — a more than elevenfold increase from the previous year.
“We have been working with the People’s Republic of China to actually receive individuals whom we have determined are not eligible to remain in the United States,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.
USCIS Announces Third Gender Option on Naturalization Form
USCIS announced that a new third gender option “X” (defined as “Another Gender Identity”) will now be available on Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Form N-400 is the first USCIS form to include a gender option other than “Male (M)” and “Female (F).”
For all citizenship applicants filing Form N-400, the new 04/01/24 form edition will include the X gender option. Applicants filing this edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024 will have X available as a gender option on their Certificate of Naturalization once it is issued.