On August 8, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a second opportunity for notice and comment on the new USCIS Tip Form to collect information from the public regarding purported immigration fraud.
On April 16, 2019, ASISTA and the National Organization for Women (NOW) submitted a comment in opposition to the proposed USCIS Tip Form, as the form would be a tool for abusers and perpetrators of crime to weaponize the immigration system against survivors, with impunity. Read our comment here .
On February 15, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed form for notice and comment to collect information from the general public regarding purported immigration fraud. At ASISTA, we are particularly concerned about this Fraud Tip form as it represents another tool for abusers and perpetrators of crime to weaponize the immigration system against survivors, without consequence or repercussion. This is extremely problematic and dangerous, as abusers often use the threat of deportation as a tool to maintain power and control over survivors. We urge you and your organization to submit comments detailing your opposition to this proposed form. The comment period closes Tuesday, April 16th. ASISTA, ILRC and the Arab American Institute have developed a comprehensive fact sheet on the new USCIS Tip Form. In addition, you can use this template comment to speak out against this harmful form. We are grateful to ILRC, AAI, ACLU, AAPCHO, NIJC, CLINIC, and End Domestic Abuse WI for their contribution to these resources. Using the template as a starting point, we suggest agencies individualize their comments with their own reasons and experiences why the proposed rule would harm immigrant survivors and their families so that they may be counted as a unique submission . In addition, to the extent possible, your comment submission should be in your own words and based upon your agency’s concerns and interests. The goal is to maximize the number of unique comments to have the greatest impact. Deadline for submission is April 16, 2019. Comments can be submitted online at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCIS-2019-0001-0001 Please remember to review and clear any formatting before submission. Resources: USCIS Fraud Tip Fact Sheet Template Comment in Opposition to USCIS Tip Form
This Quick Reference Guide and Risk Assessment Worksheet is designed to accompany the longer Practice Advisory on Factors to Weigh When Considering a T visa. It provides a streamlined overview of key considerations and a practical tool for identifying potential risks, benefits, and client-specific concerns during case consultations.
Survivors hoping to earn U- or T-based adjustment of status must generally spend 3 years in U or T status and must be in valid U or T status when they apply to adjust. If a survivor falls out of status, they may be able to regain status by means of a nunc pro tunc extension of status application. This Practice Advisory describes how to submit a nunc pro tunc I-539 extension of status application and contains an annotated sample filing from a successful case. It warns that nunc pro tunc I-539s may not be filed if removal proceedings have commenced against the survivor.
This Practice Alert summarizes USCIS’s new extreme vetting policies, including broad adjudication holds, re-review of previously approved cases, and heightened discretionary scrutiny, and explains their serious implications for immigrant survivors seeking safety and stability. It also provides practical guidance for practitioners on preparing clients for the impact of these measures and on developing case strategies and potential legal challenges.
On January 23, 2026, the federal Trafficking Survivors’ Relief Act of 2026 (TSRA) became law. The TSRA provides a remedy for trafficking survivors to obtain relief from federal criminal records stemming directly from their exploitation. In enacting the TSRA, Congress acknowledged that trafficking survivors frequently acquire a criminal history as a result of their exploitation, which can be a barrier to employment, housing, education, and essential support services and make them more vulnerable to re-exploitation. This 2-pager describes the TSRA and its potential use by immigrant survivors of trafficking charged with or convicted of federal crimes.