Release Date 08/05/2026 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying that benefit requestors should establish eligibility for an immigration benefit at the time they file a benefit request. Generally, if a benefit requestor fails to demonstrate eligibility for a benefit or fails to provide all required initial evidence when filing an application, USCIS may deny their immigration benefit request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). USCIS form instructions specify all required initial evidence for every benefit request, giving requestors all the information needed to comply. This policy better aligns USCIS procedures with long-standing Department of Homeland Security regulatory authority and form instructions, helps restore integrity to the immigration system, and makes it more difficult for aliens to file frivolous benefit requests. This policy update amends the previous Biden-era policy, which encouraged officers to request evidence before denying a benefit request, even if the benefit requestor filed an incomplete application, failed to demonstrate eligibility for the benefit, or failed to provide the initial evidence that was clearly required at the time of filing. This prior policy allowed frivolous or substantially incomplete filings to slow USCIS processing for others waiting in line. The Biden policy also enabled benefit requestors to exploit the system by filing “placeholder” applications to gain associated immigration benefits, like employment authorization, while they waited for a decision on their case. USCIS has restored officers’ full discretion to deny a benefit request without first issuing an RFE or NOID in various situations. With this updated policy, USCIS can better allocate resources to efficiently make decisions and prevent meritless requests. The policy is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after Aug. 5, 2026, unless otherwise specified by regulations or USCIS policy. Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/05/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-reduce-frivolous-immigration-benefits-requests-by-reinforcing-evidence-standards

Release Date 07/27/2026 With this rule, USCIS can refer asylum applications to Immigration Judges without interviewing the alien WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a rule change designed to reduce the backlog in the asylum system. Currently, both USCIS and Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Judges adjudicate applications for asylum: USCIS adjudicates “affirmative” asylum applications for aliens who are not in removal proceedings, while Immigration Judges adjudicate “defensive” asylum applications for aliens who are in removal proceedings. Depending on the alien’s immigration status, USCIS will usually either adjudicate the application or refer it to an Immigration Judge, who will then conduct a new review of the application. This essentially allows an alien to get a second chance at asylum. The interim final rule allows USCIS to refer asylum applications to Immigration Judges without first interviewing the alien. This rule will shorten the total time that it takes asylum officers and Immigration Judges to adjudicate asylum applications. Among other reasons, USCIS is making this change to reduce the asylum backlog. “For far too long the asylum system has been exploited for purposes of delay and work authorization, not legitimate claims of protection,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “America’s asylum system exists to protect individuals who genuinely fear persecution and this rule will help ensure that resources are directed to the timely adjudication of those claims instead of to those seeking to use the system as a loophole.” “One of the greatest barriers to effective immigration enforcement is intentional delay by illegal aliens and the open borders attorneys who represent them,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival . “My office works every day with the immigration components of DHS to improve efficiency and fulfill the President’s mandate. The rule would do just that.” The new rule will go into effect immediately. USCIS will accept public comments and later issue a final rule responding to those comments. Last Reviewed/Updated: 07/27/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-rule-change-to-asylum-system-to-reduce-backlog

Release Date 07/17/2026 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.

Release Date 07/16/2026 WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule rescinding the 2022 Biden-era regulation regarding public charge determinations, further aligning immigration law with Congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-reliant and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual applying for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status is inadmissible to the United States if deemed likely at any time to become a public charge. The now-rescinded Biden-era regulation restricted which public benefits DHS could consider, limiting officers’ ability to review all relevant factors as intended by Congress. With this final rule, USCIS officers are empowered to assess all pertinent facts on a case-by-case basis for each applicant. “The Trump administration is upholding the rule of law and protecting American taxpayers from subsidizing aliens who may become dependent on public benefits. USCIS is committed to safeguarding the safety, security, and financial well-being of Americans,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler. The rule will take effect on Sept. 18, 2026. USCIS will publish a revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . Older versions of Form I-485 postmarked or submitted electronically on or after the effective date will not be accepted. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X , Instagram , YouTube , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

We last updated this page on June 24, 2026. This page does not contain a list of all USCIS offices. It lists only offices that are closed or have temporarily changed hours. Please check this page on the day of your appointment for any office closures or other important information. If you have appointments at more than one office (for example, a field office and an application support center), please check both sections to ensure the offices are open. We are not accepting walk-in visits right now. You must have a scheduled appointment before arriving at a USCIS office. For more information or help, please see our Contact Center page.

Release Date 06/05/2026 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opened an additional asylum office location in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning May 28, 2026, aliens who filed for asylum with USCIS who reside in the jurisdiction of the Houston Asylum Office may be interviewed at either the Houston Asylum Office or the San Antonio Asylum Office. This additional location increases the Houston Asylum Office’s capacity to schedule and conduct affirmative asylum interviews. The physical and mailing addresses for the new San Antonio-based office are: Physical Address: 106 S. St. Mary St., 7th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 Mailing Address: 16855 Northchase Drive, 2nd Floor Houston, TX 77060 If you applied for asylum and USCIS schedules you for an asylum interview, carefully review your interview notice for important information about where to appear for your interview. See the Asylum Office Locator for more information about asylum office locations. For accessibility and accommodation requests, please visit our Disability Accommodations for the Public page. For more information about what to expect at your affirmative asylum interview, see our Preparing for Your Affirmative Asylum Interview webpage. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-opens-asylum-office-in-san-antonio Last Reviewed/Updated: 06/05/2026

Release Date 05/28/2026 The Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on the six-month automatic extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanon, from May 28, 2026, through Nov. 27, 2026. Under the TPS statute, if the secretary of homeland security does not decide whether a country still qualifies for TPS at least 60 days before the country’s TPS designation expires, its TPS designation is automatically extended for six months. Former Secretary Noem and Secretary Mullin, who was sworn in on March 24, 2026, were unable to make an informed determination on Lebanon’s TPS designation by the March 28, 2026 statutory deadline due to the dynamic and quickly unfolding events in Lebanon that required a new review of country conditions and impacted the ability to provide information for Secretarial consideration. A six-month extension allows existing beneficiaries of TPS Lebanon to keep their TPS through Nov. 27, 2026, if they still meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Employment Authorization Documents that were already issued under Lebanon’s TPS designation will automatically be valid through Nov. 27, 2026. Find more information about TPS at uscis.gov/tps . For more information on USCIS and our programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X , Instagram , YouTube , Facebook and LinkedIn . https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-automatically-extends-temporary-protected-status-for-lebanon  Last Reviewed/Updated: 05/28/2026

Release Date 04/28/2026 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing an interim final rule to implement immigration fees and requirements from the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act of 2025 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). H.R. 1 created new fees to increase funding for immigration enforcement operations and ensure aliens pay for immigration services. On July 22, 2025, USCIS published a Federal Register notice implementing a filing fee for Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal , and an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) to be paid each calendar year an asylum application remains pending. Annual Asylum Fee In an effort to satisfy the statutory mandate that DHS require payment of the AAF, the interim final rule establishes that if an alien does not pay the AAF within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject their pending asylum application. If an alien does not have legal status in the U.S., USCIS will also initiate the alien’s removal. If USCIS rejects an alien’s asylum application, the following additional consequences apply: USCIS will deny any pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , based on the asylum application; and Aliens who were approved to work based on the pending application will lose work authorization immediately. Additional Updates This rule also implements additional requirements outlined in H.R. 1: Form I-589 filing fee: USCIS will now keep the filing fee for Form I-589 if the agency rejects the form as improperly filed. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) employment authorization: USCIS is updating regulations limiting the employment authorization period for those under TPS to one year or the remaining TPS designation period, whichever is shorter. Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document , filing fee: The rule establishes a minimum $24 fee to file Form I-102, in addition to other required fees. The interim final rule is effective May 29, 2026. USCIS will reject any Form I-102 without the proper filing fee if it is postmarked on or after May 29, 2026. Additionally, USCIS will reject pending Form I-589 asylum applications for aliens who fail to pay the AAF effective May 29, 2026. DHS will receive public comments submitted on or before June 29, 2026. Last Reviewed/Updated: 04/28/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-announces-consequences-for-unpaid-annual-asylum-fees-unveils-new-hr-1-requirements

Release Date 02/13/2026 WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen. The termination is effective 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. Yemen was initially designated for Temporary Protected Status on Sept. 3, 2015, based on a determination that there was an ongoing armed conflict and that, due to that conflict, requiring nationals of Yemen to return would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. Following the initial designation, DHS extended or extended and redesignated Yemen for TPS in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. “After reviewing conditions in the country and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies, I determined that Yemen no longer meets the law’s requirements to be designated for Temporary Protected Status,” said Secretary Noem. “Allowing TPS Yemen beneficiaries to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interest. TPS was designed to be temporary, and this administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent. We are prioritizing our national security interests and putting America first.” TPS Yemen beneficiaries with no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States have 60 days to voluntarily depart the United States. We encourage aliens leaving the United States to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States. The app provides a safe, secure way to self-deport that includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $2,600 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration. After the effective date of the termination, the Department of Homeland Security may arrest and deport any Yemeni national without status once their TPS has been terminated. If an alien forces DHS to arrest and remove them, they may never be allowed to return to the United States. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-terminates-temporary-protected-status-for-yemen