Weekly Immigration News Roundup: November 14
USCIS reopens online EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions
On November 14, USCIS quietly reopened online Form I-140 submissions for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW applicants. The federal agency has yet to announce this change, but several immigration attorneys and applicants say they can upload documents and pay the filing fee through the MyUSCIS portal.
Government shutdown has ended
On November 12, President Trump signed a spending package for FY 2026 that restored funding to most federal agencies through January 30. As a result, critical government functions can now fully resume, including ones important to U.S. immigration services.
DHS will scan all foreign nationals entering or leaving the U.S., including Green Card holders
Starting December 26, Border Patrol officers may require all noncitizens — including Green Card holders, children, and seniors — to provide biometrics when entering or leaving the U.S. In some cases, CBP could request DNA samples, facial/iris scans, or voice recordings at entry/exit points.
USCIS officially phases out checks, money orders
Back in August, USCIS announced that visa applicants had until October 28 to pay filing fees with checks and money orders. That deadline has now passed, and filers must now pay through ACH, debit, or credit card using Forms G-1650 or G-1450.
USCIS enhances SAVE voter verification system
On November 3, USCIS announced that its SAVE program now allows states to verify the citizenship of voters by inputting the last four digits of their Social Security number. Recently naturalized citizens interested in voting should go to their Social Security office to update their status.
Consular officers may deny applicants with health conditions like obesity
Several news outlets have reported that an November 6 internal cable from the State Department says consular officers may begin denying people with chronic health issues. The cable may signal a policy change that would give unfavorable decisions to visa applicants with previously admissible conditions.
