Overview
- DHS published a proposal on Oct. 14 to remove the regulatory deference in 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5), which would stop USCIS officers from giving weight to prior favorable I‑129 decisions and require employers to reestablish eligibility on renewals.
- On Oct. 14 DHS also finalized a rule ending automatic extensions of certain Employment Authorization Documents, meaning people whose EADs expire before a renewal is approved will generally have to stop working unless a narrow exception applies.
- USCIS implemented updated fees effective Oct. 16 and warned it will reject any filing postmarked on or after that date that includes an outdated payment amount, removing an informal grace for incorrect fees.
- USCIS has begun sending FBI privacy‑notice letters to some asylum applicants to explain biometric and biographic checks, and the agency says the letters are routine privacy communications rather than automatic adverse actions.
- DHS estimates the deference change could produce about 6,044 additional Requests for Evidence per year and increase employer compliance costs and case delays, the deference proposal is open for public comment through Nov. 13, and agencies warn these moves could lead to thousands of temporary work interruptions and higher employer hiring costs.