USCIS Aids in Conviction of Two Men, Extradition of Third in 2022 San Antonio Alien Smuggling Tragedy

SAN ANTONIO – 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. As part of the investigation, USCIS combed hundreds of immigration records and conducted electronic database searches to verify victim and subject identities.

Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, and Armando González-Ortega, 55, were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in the tragedy. The two men, along with others, smuggled approximately 66 individuals into the United States inside a tractor trailer that lacked functioning air conditioning. As temperatures soared, many of th

USCIS Updates Policy to Recognize Two Biological Sexes

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

Consistent with the Jan. 20, 2025, executive order, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, USCIS is returning to its historical policy of recognizing two biological sexes.

"There are only two sexes — male and female," said DHS Assistant Secretary for Pub

FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

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). We have randomly selected enough beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations projected as needed to reach the H-1B cap and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected beneficiaries that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for such beneficiaries.

Registrants' online accounts will display a registration status. For more information, visit the <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations/h-1b-electronic-registration-process" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2b760e97-882e-421

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2025 and Filing Dates Now Available for Supplemental Visas

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.

H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2025

USCIS received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2025. March 5, 2025, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date on or after April 1, 2025, and before Oct. 1, 2025. We will reject new cap-subjec

Visa Bulletin May 2025 Predictions

For official April 2025 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-april-2025.aspx

Please see May 2025 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries):

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	08APR16	08APR16	08APR16	15APR05	01AUG12
F2A	22JAN22	22JAN22	22JAN22	01JUN21	22JAN22
F2B	01AUG16	01AUG16	01AUG16	01MAR06	01FEB12
F3	15MAY11	15MAY11	15MAY11	08MAR01	15APR03
F4	22AUG07	22AUG07	01JUL06	08APR01	15FEB05

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01NOV17	01NOV17	01NOV17	01MAY06	08JUN15
F2A	22NOV24	22NOV24	22NOV24	22NOV24	22NOV24
F2B	15FEB17	15FEB17	15FEB17	22JUN07	08NOV13
F3	01OCT12	01OCT12	01OCT12	22JUN01	22OCT04
F4	22APR08	22APR08	08OCT06	22MAY01	01APR08

USCIS Probationary Reinstatements

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. USCIS has made every effort to contact all impacted individuals who were terminated by USCIS on February 14, 2025. If you believe that you fall within the Court's order and have not been contacted, please reach out to uscis-ochco@uscis.dhs.gov. Please provide a password protected attachment that provides your full name, your dates of employment at USCIS (including date of termination), and one other identifying factor such as date of birth or social security number. If available, please attach the termination notice. If you are identified as an individua

April 2025 Visa Bulletin

For March 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-march-2025.aspx

For analysis of April 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-analysis-april-2025.aspx

April 2025 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from April 1 to April 30 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15MAR16	15MAR16	15MAR16	01JAN05	15JUL12
F2A	01JAN22	01JAN22	01JAN22	15MAY21	01JAN22
F2B	22JUL16	22JUL16	22JUL16	01JAN06	22JAN12
F3	01APR11	01APR11	01APR11	15JAN01	22MAR03
F4	01AUG07	01AUG07	15JUN06	15MAR01	01JAN05

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR06	22APR15
F2A	15OCT24	15OCT24	15OCT24	15OCT24	15OCT24
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR07	01OCT13
F3	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	22SEP04
F4	01APR08	01APR08	01OCT06	30APR01	01JAN08