In response to a lawsuit that opposed the abrupt changes
Mar 13, 2025
Written By: Alison Moodie
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has granted a 30-day grace period for prior versions of immigration forms, including those for green card and naturalization applications. This decision follows a lawsuit that challenged the agency’s sudden rollout of updated forms without advance notice.
Which Forms Are Affected?
The grace period applies to several key forms, including:
⁍Form I-485 – Application for Adjustment of Status (Green Card)
⁍Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization
⁍I-485 Supplement A & J – Additional information and job offer confirmation
⁍I-134 – Declaration of Financial Support
⁍I-192 – Application for Advanced Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant
⁍G-325A – Biographic Information
⁍I-918 – Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
⁍I-131 – Application for Travel Documents
Why Did USCIS Change Its Policy?
USCIS introduced new versions of these forms in January and initially required applicants to use them immediately. However, the sudden change led to confusion among applicants and immigration attorneys, raising concerns about processing delays and denials for those who unknowingly submitted prior versions.
In response, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and law firm Benach Collopy LLP filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the lack of a transition period unfairly impacted applicants. Following the lawsuit, USCIS updated its policy to allow a 30-day grace period, during which both prior and new versions of the forms will be accepted.
Changes in the New Forms
The updated forms include various changes:
⁍Terminology Shift: USCIS reverted to the term “alien” instead of “noncitizen,” aligning with Trump-era immigration policies.
⁍Gender Options Limited: The new forms recognize only “male” and “female” as gender choices, removing nonbinary or other gender identity options.
What This Means for Applicants
Applicants must ensure they use the correct version of their immigration forms. Until the grace period ends, USCIS will accept both prior and new versions. After the 30-day period, only the updated January 20, 2025, editions will be valid.
Immigrants and attorneys should check USCIS’s website regularly for updates on form editions and deadlines to avoid processing issues.
What’s Next?
USCIS has confirmed that the grace period applies to forms updated on February 24, March 3, and March 4. After this transition period, the agency will enforce the mandatory use of the new forms.
If you are preparing to submit an immigration application, double-check your form version before submitting your application.
