Key points:

• The USCIS website indicates that no prior versions of the forms are acceptable, with the exception of Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) which the agency appears to continue to accept older versions of.
• The American Immigration Lawyers Association issued a statement saying AILA has “reached out to USCIS and made it clear that it should have given notice to stakeholders and to demand a grace period during which prior form versions could be submitted.” AILA added that USCIS is “aware that there may be older editions of the forms that have already been completed and are in the queue to be mailed and/or filed. USCIS said that it will be flexible and will apply discretion when receipting forms, rather than rejecting them outright.”

Forms for which new versions were released Friday include:

BAL Analysis: The release of the new forms was unannounced and an unusual move on the part of USCIS. BAL continues to seek information on the matter and will keep clients updated when new information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contactBerryApplemanLeiden@balglobal.com.

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