DHS Immigration Reforms: What "Outdated Provisions" Really Mean for EB-1A and EB-1B
Petition for Immigrant Worker Reforms
DHS/USCIS plans regulatory updates to EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-1B outstanding professor/researcher categories via the "Petition for Immigrant Worker Reforms" rule (RIN 1615-AC85). The official abstract signals intent to "modernize outdated provisions," but specifics remain absent as no NPRM has published by January 2026.
Official Abstract Breakdown
The Spring 2025 Unified Agenda abstract explicitly lists these aims for employment-based immigrant petitions (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3):
This language appears verbatim across multiple Unified Agenda editions (Fall 2024, Spring 2025).
Status and Timeline
Current Stage: Proposed Rule Stage (long-term actions); NPRM expected January 2026 per regulatory trackers.
Target Regulations: Primarily 8 CFR 204.5 (EB-1 criteria), plus 8 CFR 212.15 and 214.2.
No finalized changes exist; the abstract derives from public input sessions (e.g., 2021 Federal Register RFI).
Implications for Petitioners
Attorneys and applicants should monitor Federal Register for the NPRM, which will propose line-by-line revisions to EB-1A ten criteria and EB-1B requirements. Expect public comment period post-publication, potentially tightening or clarifying evidence like awards, publications, and judging roles. For Meritocrat.us users, this underscores the need for explainable AI tools aligned with evolving USCIS standards.