I am hearing word that some USCIS offices are requiring extra paperwork and extra fees in order to change people’s status from NSN to SN. Families are being required to file form 290B, and to pay $585 to do so.
So far I’m aware of families in VA and PA who have been required to do [...]

I posted a few weeks ago about agencies saying different things about who is eligible for the free I-171H extension and who is not. Now I’m hearing from various people who have asked their USCIS office directly, here is what I’m getting:

Some USCIS offices are telling people who expire after July 31st that they are [...]

It appears we need some more clarification from USCIS.
There is some discussion about who is eligible for “one free renewal”. At least one agency is telling their families that only those who pay the new, higher fee, are eligible. They say that the increased cost accounts for the free renewal.
Other agencies are saying anyone [...]

The USCIS website is stating they are going to allow “one free extension of your I-600A by filing a new I-600A without fee before the first expires.”
I guess that softens the fact that fees go up as of July 30th.
You can download a PDF showing everything here.
I’m guessing I won’t get a refund from [...]

I reported several weeks ago that the consulate had informed agencies they would no longer be setting appointments for people without a valid I-171H.
This appears to have been changed. For those families in process for a new I-171H, they can now get a consulate appointment but will be required to sign some sort of a [...]

Has anyone heard anything about a possible rate increase?
I’ve got a couple of rumors that one may be about to happen.