FAQ
How to Update Your Personal Information With USCIS
Changing Personal Information With USCIS If there are changes to your personal information that you need to update with USCIS such as your name and/or gender you have two potential options. If you have been scheduled for an interview at a USCIS Field Office, you can update your information at that interview. Otherwise, you can follow the procedures from the USCIS website, which are described below. Name Change If you would like to update the name reflected on your document, you must provide sufficient evidence of your name change, such as: — a court order; — marriage certificate; — divorce decree; or — other vital document record. For more information, see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization, Part K, Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization, Chapter 4, Replacement of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization. Gender Change As of March 31, 2023, you do not need to provide supporting evidence to change the gender listed on your immigration documents (with a limited exception). Note: As of April 1, 2024, USCIS provides the option “X” for gender in addition to “m” for male and “f” for female on the Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. USCIS has stated that this option will be coming to more of their forms in the future. If you want to update your gender information on a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship, you must still provide the required supporting documentation of the change, as listed in the Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document instructions (PDF, 263.39 KB). For more information, see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization, Part K, Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization, Chapter 4, Replacement of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization. Changing Your Personal Information on Immigration Documents The table below provides information on how to request a biographic change on a specific document. If your benefit request is still pending with USCIS, and you have not received a final decision notice or USCIS-issued document If you have already received your USCIS-issued document Employment Authorization Document (EAD) If you received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or interview notice: Provide the following in response to the RFE or at your interview:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you have an online account:Upload the following as new evidence to the pending application:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you do not have an online account:Email USCIS-updategenderinfo@uscis.dhs.gov and request to change your name or gender marker or both.If you are seeking to make a correction due to a typographical error, please visit the “How to Request a correction to your notice or document (based on USCIS error)” section on this page. This email only handles formal name or gender marker changes.If you have Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) related matter or T or U visa related matter:Refer to the Contact Us webpage (Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings section). Submit the following to USCIS:A new Form I-765;Applicable fees (see note);The EAD containing the incorrect information;A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).File online (if eligible) or refer to the filing locations for Form I-765 webpage for mailing address information if filing by paper.Note on fees: If you are requesting a replacement EAD for an eligibility category based on a pending Form I-485 filed after July 30, 2007, that you paid a fee for, then you do not need to pay the Form I-765 filing fee. Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) If you received an RFE or interview notice:Provide the following in response to the RFE or at the interview:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you have an online account:Upload the following as new evidence to the pending application:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you do not have an online account:Email USCIS-updategenderinfo@uscis.dhs.gov and request to change your name or gender marker or both.If you are seeking to make a correction due to a typographical error, please visit the “How to Request a correction to your notice or document (based on USCIS error)” section on this page. This email only handles formal name or gender marker changes.If you have Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) related matter or T or U visa related matter:Refer to the Contact Us webpage (Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings section). Submit the following to USCIS:Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);Applicable fees;The Green Card containing the incorrect information; andSupporting documentation to show what the correct information should be (see Form I-90 instructions (PDF, 361.11 KB) for examples).File online or refer to the Where to File section of the Form I-90 webpage for mailing address information if filing by paper. Travel Document (Such as an Advance Parole Document or Refugee Travel Document) If you received an RFE or interview notice: Provide the following in response to the RFE or at the interview:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you have an online account:Upload the following as new evidence to the pending application:A letter explaining the change requested; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).If you do not have an online account:Email USCIS-updategenderinfo@uscis.dhs.gov and request to change your name or gender or both.If you are seeking to make a correction due to a typographical error, please visit the “How to Request a correction to your notice or document (based on USCIS error)” section on this page. This email only handles formal name or gender marker changes.If you have Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) related matter or T or U visa related matter: Refer to the Contact Us webpage (Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings section). Submit the following to USCIS:A new Form I-131 (select the filing category for the type of travel document being requested);Applicable fees (see note);The travel document containing the incorrect information; andSupporting documentation of the change (if required).Refer to the filing addresses for Form I-131 webpage for mailing address information. (Online filing is currently not available for Form I-131.) Note on fees: If you are requesting a replacement Advance Parole Document and have a pending Form I-485 filed after July 30, … Read more
Administrative Closure vs Termination vs Dismissal
Immigration removal proceedings may conclude with relief granted by the Immigration Judge or removal ordered. Cases may not reach conclusion for reasons such as eligibility for other immigration benefits or changes in circumstances, leading to prosecutorial discretion or legal motion to end proceedings. Termination, dismissal, and administrative closure are distinct ways to conclude proceedings, each with unique legal implications and consequences for the respondent’s immigration status and potential future proceedings. Administrative closure, unlike termination and dismissal, allows for the possibility of re-opening the case and maintaining employment authorization.
I-94
What is a Form I-94? Form I-94 is the DHS Arrival/Departure Record issued to aliens who are admitted to the U.S., whoare adjusting status while in the U.S. or extending their stay, among other things Foreign visitors to the U.S. no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online. CBP now gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. Now at the land border, travelers will be issued I-94s electronically and will no longer receive a paper I-94 stub. CBP encourages travelers requiring an I-94 to use the CBP One™ mobile app or the CBP I-94 website to apply for their I-94. For Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers, an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is now required for entry and must be obtained prior to arriving at the U.S. land border. VWP travelers are encouraged to use the I-94 website or CBP One™ mobile app to apply for an I-94 in advance. How do I find my I-94? Check the passport you used the last time you entered the United States or check the I-94 website. What does an I-94 number look like? A Form I-94 is needed by all visitors except: U.S. Citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. Travelers will be issued an I-94 during the admission process at the port of entry. Beginning in May 2019, I-94 numbers will be alphanumeric. Currently, I-94 numbers are 11 digits long and only contain numbers. I-94 Website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov The I-94 website has four sections: 1.) applying for a new (provisional) Form I-94; 2.) providing you with your most recent I-94 admission record from 1983 forward for most classes of admission (or parole), and indefinitely for certain classes, such as diplomats and those admitted under the Compacts of Free Association; 3.) displaying your most recent 10 years of travel history; and 4.) querying your compliance with your current period of admission for some nonimmigrant classes. What to do if your I-94 is “Not Found” online If you tried to retrieve your I-94 from the Official online system and you receive a response that your I-94 is “Not Found”, read the following questions to help you check for mistakes and try to enter the information again: 1. Did you enter your first and last name the same way it appears on your passport? 2. Did you enter the passport number that appears on the upper right hand side of your passport? 3. Did you enter your country of citizenship (country that issued the passport, not where you currently live)? 4. If you entered your first and middle name and it is not found, try one name or the other. Also try entering your first and middle name in the first name box. *Do not use dashes or hyphens when filling out the form on the I-94 website. If you’re still not able to locate your I-94, please contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Traveler Communications Center (TCC) by clicking on the “Ask Us A Question” tab below. Select the correct topic for your issue as well as any related issues. We will attempt to respond to you within 72 hours. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue an updated Entry/Departure Record Form I-94 on a Notice of Action Form I-797, to those who applied for and received an extension of stay, change of status, or requested replacement of the original I-94 issued by CBP. USCIS issued I-94 documents are not entered into the CBP online I-94 database, which is why your USCIS issued I-94 cannot be found and viewed. You can use the USCIS issued Entry/Departure Record Form I-94 on the Notice of Action Form I-797 as evidence of your current legal status in the United States. Asylees Most asylum seekers should have received a handwritten or stamped I-94 upon entering the U.S., and may not be able to retrieve I-94 information online.
U.S. Immigration Law Acronyms
Acronyms ACC Assistant Chief Counsel Government attorneys that represent the Department of Homeland Security, ICE at EOIR removal proceedings. A Number A File “A” Number or “A” File is short for alien number or alien file. Every foreign national inside of the United States who has had contact with USCIS, ICE, or CBP will be issued an identifying A number, which will be used by the government as their file number and is how one can track their case or find information about their immigration matters. AF Aggravated felony AOS Adjustment of Status Changing status from a nonimmigrant or no status to that of legal resident. This is the process by which a non-citizen obtains a green card when they are already in the United States. AP Advance Parole Advance parole travel document BIA Board of Immigration Appeals CBP Customs and Border Enforcement A government agency created as part of the Department of Homeland Security Act in 2003. It replaced the legacy INS. CBP is primarily focused on border security and customs inspections at port of entry (like airports) as the name suggests. CBP does operate internally within the United States sometimes in states that are nowhere near any international borders. CBP is a sub agency of DHS. CAT Convention Against Torture Article three if the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is last resort form of a relief for a person who fears they will be in danger if they return to their home country. If the person is unable to obtain Asylum or Withholding of Removal, CAT will not confer any immigration benefit but the U.S. Government will not deport a person to their country of nationality if that person would be in danger there. This not discretionary and it cannot be denied to an alien with criminal convictions. The agency that handles immigration appeals from the EOIR Immigration Court. CIMT Crime involving moral turpitude DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program launched in 2012. For more information, go to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals 2017 Announcement page. DED Deferred Enforced Departure (see glossary of terms for more info) DHS Department of Homeland Security The largest government agency in the United States, DHS is massive with an annual budget of hundreds of billions of dollars. It was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and came into existence in 2003. It includes ICE, CBP, and USCIS, among other agencies that will be less important for the purposes of this wiki. DOJ Department of Justice EAD Employment Authorization Document A document to authorizes a person to legally take employment in the United States, commonly referred to as a work permit. ESTA ESTA Electronic System for Travel Authorization EOIR Executive Office of Immigration Review The immigration court. EWI Entry Without Inspection When a person crosses the border at location not so designated by the attorney general as a port of entry, and enters the United States without being formally inspected by immigration officials or without having a valid visa or travel document. FOIA Freedom of Information Act ICE Immigration & Customs Enforcement ICE is the enforcement branch of DHS. It is the agency that apprehends and prosecutes non-citizens accused of violating United States immigration law. ICE officers are who we contact when a person is apprehended by immigration. They handle the initial arrest and detention of non-citizens and the enforcement of the removal of non-citizens. ICE attorneys represent DHS in removal proceedings. IJ Immigration Judge Immigration Judge LPR Legal Permanent Resident A legal permanent resident is a foreign national who obtained an immigrant visa and has been granted residency in the U.S. allowing them to permanently reside in the United States. Commonly referred to as a “green card” NTA Notice to Appear The NTA is the document that initiates removal proceedings. ICE will serve the noncitizen with the NTA which will contain the factual allegations and charges against them and provide a date, time, and location, for them to appear in Immigration Court. ICE then files that NTA with the Court and removal proceedings are commenced. NOID Notice of Intent to Deny NOIR Notice of Intent to Revoke PD Prosecutorial discretion The legal authority of DHS/ICE to choose whether or not to take action against an individual for committing an offense, in the removal context to pursue their removal from the United States. PSG Particular Social Group Asylum can be granted to a refugee who has been or fears they will be persecuted on the basis of their political beliefs, religion, nationality, race, or particular social group. PSG is a sort of catch-all category for all other basis’s for which a person can be granted asylum. RFE Request for Evidence SIJS Special Immigrant Juvenile Status SIJS stands for “special immigrant juvenile status.” Special immigrant juvenile status is an immigrant visa program that provides a path to legal permanent residency to minors (under 21 and unmarried in NY and most other states) who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused by ONE or both of their parents and reunification with that parent is no longer possible because of said abandonment, neglect, or abuse. TPS Temporary Protective Status USC United States Citizen USCIS US Citizenship & Immigration Services USCIS is the branch of DHS that deals with the granting of immigration benefits. USCIS is not concerned with the enforcement of laws or removal of non-citizens from the USCIS (unless they are violent criminals, terrorists, or individuals with very serious criminal convictions. VAWA Violence Against Women Act