Policy
USCIS Tightens Immigration Benefit Request Process
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new policy to reduce frivolous immigration benefit requests by reinforcing evidence standards.
uscis.gov
Staff reporter at The Visa Queue, covering Immigration.
Getting help
Kansas City Man Sentenced for Orchestrating U-Visa Fraud Scheme
A 37-year-old Mexican national received a 21-month prison term after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that staged robberies to help illegal immigrants fraudulently obtain U visas, a program meant for genuine crime victims.
Processing & backlogs
USCIS Introduces Mandatory Electronic Filing for Immigration Forms
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to require electronic filing for certain immigration forms, citing national security and efficiency benefits.
Policy
Court Ruling Allows Non-Governmental Organizations to Participate in US Naturalization Ceremonies
A US District Court has issued a stay on a USCIS policy change that would have barred non-governmental organizations from participating in administrative naturalization ceremonies.
Processing & backlogs
USCIS Identity Checks Lead to Arrest of Former Latvian Reality TV Contestant with Violent Criminal History
A former reality TV contestant from Latvia with a violent criminal history has been arrested in the United States after USCIS identity checks uncovered his illegal status.
Visa categories
US Justice Department Files Record Number of Denaturalization Cases Against Naturalized Criminals
The US Justice Department has filed a record 25 denaturalization cases against naturalized US citizens accused of serious offenses, including attempted murder, spousal abuse, and child sex offenses.
Getting help
US Government Seeks to Revoke Citizenship of Man Who Procured U.S. Citizenship Under False Identity
The U.S. government has filed charges to denaturalize a man born in India for using a false identity to become a U.S. citizen.
Processing & backlogs
USCIS to Introduce Updated Forms I-539 and I-765 with No Grace Period
USCIS will release revised versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026, to comply with a new final rule. Older editions will be rejected from that date, with no grace period allowed.
Getting help
Miami Man Accused of Fraudulent Immigration Certification Scheme
A Miami resident has been charged with fraud and identity theft for allegedly impersonating a deceased doctor to help naturalization applicants bypass U.S. citizenship test requirements. The case is part of a larger national healthcare fraud takedown.
Processing & backlogs
USCIS Helps Dismantle Decade-Long Marriage Fraud Network
Eleven individuals have been indicted for orchestrating a large-scale sham marriage scheme that facilitated fraudulent immigration status for foreign nationals, primarily Chinese citizens. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) played a key role in the investigation, which involved over 1,000 fake marriages and payments of up to $100,000 per arrangement.