On March 8th, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, published a new form that must be submitted in an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Starting March 22, 2019, a new version of Form I-539 must be submitted for all future extensions or changes of status. Form I-539 is an application used by many non-citizens to extend their stay in the United States or change their nonimmigrant status to another. This application is often used by visitors, collegiate students, vocational students, and work visa holders. Starting March 22, 2019, Form I-539A must also be filed in many circumstances when the primary applicant has a family member present and in possession of a similar visa or nonimmigrant status. Important highlights to the changes are listed below: Visa categories that require submission of Form I-539A include: So what does the newly implemented form mean for applicants and why the change? According to USCIS, the agency will now be collect fingerprints for all change or extension of status applicants, even for those under 14 years of age, to verify applicants’ identity and to ensure they are the rightful owners to the benefit. Biometrics will be taken on all applicants who submit the updated Forms I-539 and I-539A. Immigration attorneys have raised a handful of immediate questions that USCIS has yet to answer. For instance, if the primary applicant is located in one part of the United States, but his or her co-applicant family members are located elsewhere, where will the co-applicant take his or her fingerprints? USCIS states that it will be collecting fingerprint data for all change or extension of status applicants pursuant to Executive Order 13780, Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States. USCIS states that fingerprint data, or “biometrics,” allows them to verify every non-citizen’s identity. USCIS also contends that fingerprinting will strengthen its ability to make a decision in these applications, will help protect fraud or harm to the United States, and will ensure the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
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