28 January 2025

USCIS sunsets settlement agreement mandating bundling the adjudication of I-539 and I-765 applications filed by H-4 and L-2 spouses

Effective 18 January 2025, the settlement agreement reached in Edakunni, et al. v. Mayorkas, No. 21-cv-393-TL (W.D. Wash.) has expired. This signifies that U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer be required to simultaneously adjudicate Form I-539, Application to Change or Extend Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, applications submitted by H-4 and L-2 visa holders with their spouse’s H-1B and L-1 petitions. While the expiration of this agreement does not require that USCIS discontinue bundling adjudication of these case types, it is reasonable to expect that the agency will do so.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY Law LLP group, and attached below, provides additional details.

* * * * * * * * * *

Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2025-0340