The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its Policy Manual to align with recent regulatory updates for the T nonimmigrant status, or T visa, aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking. Published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024, the update seeks to enhance the program’s integrity and expedite support for eligible victims.

The changes, effective as of August 28, 2024, affect applications filed on or after this date, except in specific cases where prior eligibility criteria may still apply. Key revisions address several areas, including an expanded interpretation of “any credible evidence,” a trauma-informed approach to application review, and updates to definitions and reporting requirements for applicants.

USCIS also introduced a bona fide determination process for applicants, which could provide temporary deferred action and employment authorization. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit Form I-765 alongside Form I-914 for a streamlined review.

Further details on the updates are available in Volumes 3 and 9 of the USCIS Policy Manual. USCIS advises applicants to be vigilant against immigration scams and provides resources for locating legal services on its Find Legal Services webpage.

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