Direct Consular Filing of I-130's

Question details

Regarding direct consular filing of I-130's, under what exigent circumstances does the Consulate accept jurisdiction of I-130 Immediate Relative Petitions for consular review?

The State Department says that consulates will accept I-30 direct filing requests for immediate family members (spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen) in rare circumstances.  For example, where the U.S.

Revised I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

The current edition is dated 06/13/13. (USCIS will accept editions dated 06/22/12, 11/23/10, 06/14/10, and 02/19/10 until September 16, 2013. After September 16, 2013, USCIS will only accept the 06/13/13 edition.)
Purpose of Form :
To petition to bring your fiancé(e) (K-1) and that person's children to the U.S. for marriage to you or to bring your spouse and that person's children (K-3 and K-4 visas, respectively) to the United States to complete processing for permanent resident status (under the LIFE Act and Amendments of 2000).

Interview Protocol

Question details

May a third party (spouse, sponsor, etc.) accompany an applicant to an interview for a Nonimmigrant or Immigrant Visa?

The State Department says that on the Immigrant Visa side, the petitioner may accompany the beneficiary if the petitioner is in the Consulate city at the time of the interview.  The interviewing officer will speak to the petitioner only if he/she determines it is n

Applying for H-1B Renewal

Question details

I am applying for an H-1B renewal. Do I really need to submit all of the same documents, diplomas, client letters, and so on, again?

USCIS treats each petition as a new case and requires a complete set of documents, as if it is the first time you petitioned.

DOMA and Same-sex Marriages

Question details

Does the USCIS recognize same-sex marriages?

A statement issued by Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, appears to clear the way for immigration of same-sex spouses.  She said: "After last week's decision by the Supreme C

Written Testimony of USCIS Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations

Written testimony of USCIS Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Associate Director Joseph Langlois for a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security hearing titled “Border Security Oversight, Part III: Examining Asylum Requests” Release Date: July 17, 2013

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