On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive actions aimed at cutting down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritizing the deportation of criminals, not families, improving access to visas for high skilled researchers and entrepreneurs to grow the U.S. economy, and allowing for certain undocumented immigrants to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation as long as they pass a criminal background check and pay their previously owned taxes. The executive action will also include measures to reduce waiting lists for temporary work visas for skilled workers and for green cards for skilled workers.

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has issued several memorandums instructing USCIS and other agencies to implement these initiatives as soon as possible.

Over the coming months, USCIS and other agencies will produce detailed explanations, instructions, regulations and forms as necessary. Agency regulations will be subject to the notice and comment process, which allows for individuals and organizations to comment on proposed agency regulations. USCIS estimates that some initiatives and policies will be implemented over the next several months while some will take longer. Our office will be monitoring the upcoming developments in the law closely and updating our website with the latest information.