Ombudsman Update: Change of Address with USCIS
This Update provides helpful hints for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens on when to change your address with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and do it.
USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Earlier known as INS. USCIS is responsible for providing immigration benefits to applicants. Homepage http://wwww.uscis.gov
USCIS Investigation Questions
Following is a list of questions recently asked by a USCIS investigator of an H-1B employee working at a client site. If you are a member of our compliance group of employers, attend the free conference call scheduled for employers only on 7th July 2011. Membership in the group is by invitation only.
1. What is your name?
2. Can see your ID card?
3. How long you are in US?
4. Have you been visited your home country?
5. Who are you currently employed with?
6. How long have you been with your employer?
7. What is your job title?
8. What are your wages?
Government Shutdown -- impact on immigration law
If Congress is unable to reach an agreement regarding the budget on Friday, the government will close at midnight on Saturday April 9. From that time forward, only "essential" government workers remain on the job. Here is a breakdown by agency:
CBP: Inspection and law enforcement are considered "essential personnel" though they will probably have fewer officers on duty.
USCIS Implements H-1B and L-1 Fees
On August 13, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-230, which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. The law, which already in effect, requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions.vUSCIS has clarified certain matters that employers should bear in mind.
Questions and Answers
Q. To which petitioners does the new fee apply?
USCIS explains its types of site visits
USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) office has recently explained the three types of site visits that are currently being conducted:
1. Risk Assessment Program fraud study (RANDOM VISITS). This is a joint study by USCIS and ICE applicable to both family-based and employment-based cases. Cases are chosen for randomly for review and site visits usually after a case is approved. The purpose of this study is to build a profile of the types of cases where fraud is most prevalent.
USCIS Expedite Criteria
This issue has come up several times. Here is what USCIS says:
USCIS Considerations to expedite Cases
All expedite requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and are granted at the discretion of the Director. The criteria are as follows:
* Severe financial loss to company or individual
* Extreme emergent situation
* Humanitarian situation
* Nonprofit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States
AAO Processing Times (April- June 2025)
The AAO reports its processing times by form type, displaying the total number of completions for the quarter and the percentage completed within 180 days, which is our goal.
The AAO strives to complete its appellate review within 180 days from the time it receives a complete case record. Some cases may take longer than 180 days due to factors beyond the AAO’s control. For example, additional documentation may be needed to complete the record, or the case may be more complex and require additional review.
Immigration Law
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Laid-off H-1B workers face deportation notices despite 60-day grace period
Published by: The Economic Times - July 24, 2025
https://tinyurl.com/2x5kn9mv
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2026.
USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2026 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to:
USCIS Assists in Employment-Based Visa Fraud Investigation Leading to Federal Indictments
Release Date
06/17/2025
DALLAS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in supporting a federal investigation that resulted in the indictment of two Texas residents for their alleged involvement in a large-scale immigration fraud scheme.