On March 29, 2022, USCIS announced that they are taking action to reduce backlogs and processing times.  This includes the the setting of a new internal cycle time goal for various types of petitions.  "These goals are internal metrics that guide the backlog reduction efforts of the USCIS workforce and affect how long it takes the agency to process cases. As cycle times improve, processing times will follow, and applicants and petitioners will receive decisions on their cases more quickly." (Graphic to the Right illustrates the internal goals)

In addition, USCIS is expanding premium processing to Form I-539, I-765 and the I-140. Specifically, the expansion of premium processing to the I-140 will relate to EB-1C (multi-national executives and managers) and EB-2 immigrant classifications for advance degree holders or NIW (national interest waiver exceptional ability cases. 

Furthermore, USCIS is working towards a streamlined process by which Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are processed by USCIS. The goals is to expand the extension of validity periods for certain EADs and providing expedited work authorization renewals for certain classifications. 

The full announcement can be found here.