USCIS’ policy of tolling unlawful presence while an application is pending protects applicants from being forced to abandon pending applications upon the expiration of their status. Due to equitable tolling, applicants may remain in the U.S. legally for the duration of the application process, even after their previously approved status has expired.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) calls the Real ID Act a nationwide effort intended to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of identification documents that State governments issue. Dogged by controversies, the Act has been sitting under the hammer since 2005, when George Bush signed it into law. After more [...]