Rajiv's Comments in the News - Green card holders stuck in India need to prove US ties
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 17, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Latest News
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online
Release Date
04/12/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
Visa Services Update
Visa Services Operating Status Update from DOS
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective Mar. 31, 2021)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
This temporary guidance was set to expire March 31. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended the Form I-9 flexibility policy an additional 60 days until May 31, 2021.
USCIS Confirms Elimination of “Blank Space” Criteria
Release Date
04/01/2021
USCIS confirmed that for all forms it has reverted to the form rejection criteria it applied before October 2019 regarding blank responses.
In 2019, USCIS changed the form rejection criteria for:
FY 2022 H-1B Cap Season Updates
Release Date
03/30/2021
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed
Updated Guidance on P-1A Internationally Recognized Athletes
Release Date
03/26/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updated guidance for adjudicating requests for P-1A nonimmigrant classification for internationally recognized athletes.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
Release Date
03/24/2021
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors who are responding to certain:
DHS Withdraws ‘Affidavit of Support’ Proposed Rule
Release Date
03/19/2021
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the withdrawal of the affidavit of support proposed rule, consistent with DHS’s commitment to reduce barriers within the legal immigration system that placed increased burdens on American families wishing to sponsor individuals immigrating to the U.S.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers
03/10/2021 10:29 AM EST
Starting April 19, 2021, we will only accept the 03/10/21 edition. Until then, you can also use the 06/18/20 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker
03/10/2021 10:25 AM EST