Meet “Emma,” a computer-generated virtual assistant who can answer your questions and even take you to the right spot on our website. Emma is named for Emma Lazarus, who wrote the poem inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty about helping immigrants. Inspired by her namesake, our Emma can help you find the immigration information you need.
What Can Emma Do?
Emma answers questions based on your own words; you don’t need to know “government speak”. She also knows a lot of common search terms. She can:
Provide immediate responses to your questions about all of our services.
Guide you through our website.
Find information based on the questions and search terms you use.
Emma is fluent in both English and Spanish, and she will always type out her answers. Below Emma’s answer, she might also offer information related to your question. If you have the sound on, she’ll also talk to you. (Currently, the sound feature is only available on our English website.)
Chatting with Emma is Easy
Getting Emma’s help is easy: just click the “Need Help? Ask Emma” link in the upper right corner of the page or the “Need Help” icon on the bottom of some pages. Emma works on desktop and laptop computers and mobile devices.
Emma’s development team is continuously refining her knowledge base to improve your experience. To send your feedback or ask for technical support, please email us at askemma@uscis.dhs.gov. Please do not send questions about your personal situation or case to this mailbox; instead, check your case status online or call us at 800-375-5283.
Learn More About Emma
To learn more about Emma and see examples of questions applicants are asking her, check out this short video: Hello, I’m Emma. How may I help you? (exit USCIS to YouTube).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent this bulletin at 09/29/2023 03:20 PM EDT
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it is extending and expanding previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. These actions will help Afghan nationals resettle, and in many cases, reunite with family in the United States by enabling USCIS to more quickly process their requests for employment authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), long-term status, status for immediate relatives, and associated services. We encourage you to use the webpages below to learn more about the eligibility details for each type of filing you may wish to pursue.
Certain Afghan nationals are eligible for the following fee exemptions and expedited processing, through Sept. 30, 2024:
Fee Exemptions
Re-parole applications and requests to renew employment authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) filed on Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed with USCIS from inside the United States on behalf of any Afghan national with an immigrant visa immediately available;
Form I-130, filed with USCIS in the United States on behalf of an Afghan national (beneficiary) with a visa immediately available, and any associated Form I-601; and
NH needs workers, and many immigrants are here already. We need to fix the system that can take on average from 2-10 years to apply and receive asylum status. Let immigrants contribute and support themselves during that time. More importantly, licensing immigrants would ensure they are trained and know the laws of the road, making our roads safer for all.
NH has both Hardship Licenses and Limited Privilege licenses, to allow people who have committed crimes to be able to support themselves, why not allow people just waiting for their asylum status to be do the same?
Weeklong celebration highlights naturalization ceremonies and new initiatives
WASHINGTON—U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by welcoming more than 6,900 new citizens in over 130 naturalization ceremonies across the nation between Sept. 17 and Sept. 22.“USCIS will continue to work in communities to raise awareness about citizenship in line with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “We believe that promoting citizenship and encouraging eligible immigrants to naturalize and fully participate in our democracy is a cornerstone of the agency’s work and illustrates the spirit of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a focus on the rights, responsibilities, and importance of citizenship.”On Sept. 17, the nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23). The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” Citizenship Day began in 1952, signed into law by President Harry Truman and, in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day – and Constitution Week – by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States, and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country. The Constitution plays a meaningful role in the lives of all Americans, but particularly for those who are Americans by choice. The Constitution not only establishes the rule of law, but it also creates the framework for an immigration system that enables immigrants to become citizens.Eligible lawful permanent residents go through a comprehensive, multi-step process to become U.S. citizens. The final step in the naturalization process is the most important one, the Oath of Allegiance.As part of Constitution Week, USCIS will be spotlighting naturalization ceremonies planned from Sept. 17 and Sept. 22. Following each naturalization ceremony, we encourage new U.S. citizens and their families and friends to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen, #ConstitutionWeek, and #WeThePeople.In addition to holding more than 130 ceremonies across the country, USCIS will also be highlighting multiple initiatives during Constitution Week, including the Citizenship Ambassador Initiative.Launched in July 2022, the Citizenship Ambassador Initiative collaborates with community leaders to promote naturalization in their local communities. Through the efforts of these ambassadors, USCIS has been able to extend its reach and promote naturalization to thousands of people in diverse locations throughout the country. Learn more about what the Citizenship Ambassador Initiative means to two current ambassadors: Pao Yang (Fresno, CA) and Luis Shephard (Boston, MA). For more about the initiative and introductions to all our ambassadors, visit the Citizenship Ambassadors | USCIS page.USCIS reaffirms its commitment to promoting citizenship and making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, we have taken several steps to support implementation of Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans. The following efforts occurred this year:On March 22, 2023, USCIS published guidance to provide that only applicants for naturalization under Section 328 or Section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces are required to file Form N-426, Revision of Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, along with their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.On April 4, 2023, USCIS published Venues for Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies, to clarify the types of venues USCIS may use for administrative naturalization ceremonies and the considerations for accepting offers to donate use of facilities.On April 21, 2023, USCIS published Citizenship for Adopted Children guidance to clarify how citizenship and naturalization provisions apply to adopted children.On Aug. 24, 2023, USCIS published Access to Voter Registration Services during Naturalization Ceremonies guidance to increase awareness and expand access to voter registration during naturalization ceremonies.For more information about USCIS’ Constitution Day and Citizenship Day activities, please see the USCIS Celebrates Citizenship Day 2023 Fact Sheet.For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook (/uscis), and LinkedIn (/uscis).
If you applied for asylum and your application has been pending for more than 150 days, you’re eligible to file for employment authorization with USCIS. To learn more and get started, visit: https://t.co/xHZXkmitym
