Congress Authorizes DHS to expand Premium Processing Program with passage of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act

As part of the most recent continuing resolution funding government operations through December 11, 2020, Congress passed the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act.  The new law authorizes DHS to expand the premium processing program to include several new benefit types, including immigrant petitions for multi-national managers and self-sponsored national interest waivers.  The Act also calls on DHS to add to the premium processing program applications to change or extend status, employment authorization, and any other immigration benefit application DHS deems appropriate.  While increasing the number of application types eligible for premium processing, the law also increases the premium processing fee and processing timeframes.  The law is effective immediately but requires implementation by DHS.  Accordingly, it may take several weeks to months before newly designated application types are allowed to access premium processing.