posted on: January 15, 2021
Starting in January, we will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action. LPRs file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when their Green Cards expire […]
posted on: January 12, 2021
On Thursday, USCIS announced the final rule that will modify the H-1B cap selection process, amend current lottery procedures, and prioritize wages to protect the economic interests of U.S. workers and better ensure the most highly skilled foreign workers benefit from the temporary employment program. Modifying the H-1B cap selection process will incentivize employers to offer […]
posted on: January 12, 2021
Per USCIS: As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, current postal service volume and other external factors, you may experience a delay of four to six weeks in receiving your receipt notice after properly filing an application or petition with a USCIS lockbox. These delays will not affect the receipt date which […]
posted on: December 24, 2020
On Friday, the DOJ finalized substantial changes to the process for immigration appeals. The rule will limit the ability of immigration appellate judges to hear cases on their own accord, impose a time limit on appeals, and create a mechanism for lower immigration judges to seek reversal of appellate judges at the BIA by petitioning a political […]
posted on: December 23, 2020
On Tuesday, USCIS announced updated guidance expanding the discretionary criteria USCIS officers use to determine whether to interview applicants filing Form I-485 based on refugee or asylee status. The updated criteria are within the parameters of USCIS’ regulatory authority to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether an interview is necessary to determine the admissibility of an alien […]
posted on: December 22, 2020
On Tuesday, the DOJ finalized policies that will narrow the window for migrants to apply for asylum and raise immigration court fees. The two policies, both set to take effect days before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated, mark the latest effort by the administration to make it more difficult – and more expensive – for foreign citizens […]
posted on: December 18, 2020
On Tuesday, DHS advanced a proposal to expand biometrics collections for immigrants and their American sponsors, amid criticism that the policy would threaten privacy rights. Under the proposed rule, released in September, the government would collect more types of biometric data from immigrants and from more people, including U.S. citizen sponsors and children. Currently, DHS […]
posted on: December 16, 2020
The Trump administration has used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to curtail many immigrant and nonimmigrant visa programs, including J-1 cultural exchange visitors. But with vaccines on the immediate horizon and a new Biden administration soon to take office, what should we expect for programs like the J-1 visa? Many visa programs have faced intense scrutiny […]
posted on: December 15, 2020
The Trump administration has finalized a sweeping regulation that will effectively end asylum protection in the United States. The regulation, which was proposed in June, is set to go into effect on January 11—only nine days before President Trump leaves office. If implemented, it will mean that very few people fleeing persecution will be able […]
posted on: December 14, 2020
On Friday, USCIS announced that an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the “Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program Interim Final Rule” (IFR). The Dec. 1 order prevents the IFR from taking effect, and also prevents DHS and USCIS from implementing the IFR. USCIS announced it will […]
