USCIS Reaches the H-2B Cap for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2016
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the
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Potomac Service Center Now Processing Certain Form I-765 Cases
On March 1, USCIS began transferring certain cases to the Potomac Service Center (PSC) from other service centers to balance workloads. The affected casework includes Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filed by F-1 and M-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 dependents.
USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning April 1, 2016
On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.
The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: April 2016
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa?
DHS Final Rule for F–1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and CapGap Relief
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the proposal would allow such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension would effectively replace the 17-month STEM OPT extension currently available to certain STEM students.
ICE Final Rule on STEM OPT will be Published on 3/11/16
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will publish a final rule Friday, March 11, 2016, to strengthen and enhance the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Texas Service Center Now Processing Certain Form I-765 Cases
USCIS recently began transferring certain cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Texas Service Center to balance workloads. The affected casework includes Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filed by an asylum applicant with a pending asylum application filed on or after January 4, 1995. The eligibility category for the application is (c)(8).
How You Will Be Affected If USCIS Transfers Your Case
USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunities
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. These are competitive grant opportunities for organizations that prepare permanent residents for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. The two programs will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. Applications are due by April 22.
Update to Form I-864P, Poverty Guidelines
USCIS posted an updated edition of Form I-864P, Poverty Guidelines, to their website. The new edition is dated 03/01/16, and previous editions should not be used.