USCIS Launches Citizenship Public Awareness Initiative
National Effort Highlights Agency’s Free Citizenship Preparation Tools
Vermont Service Center of USCIS says RFEs Will Be Printed on White Paper after July 6
Due to changes in processing within the Vermont Service Center (VSC), Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued by the VSC will no longer be printed on yellow stock paper, but as of July 6, 2015, will instead be printed on white paper. As always, this document needs to be returned to the VSC with any evidence submitted in response to the request.
B-1 In Lieu of H-1 Visa
The H-1 quota cuts down 50% or more applications each year. Legally, employees of foreign companies or entities can try and obtain B-1 visa in lieu of H-1 visas as long as they fulfill the following criteria outlined by the US Department of State.
Each intended B-1 (in lieu of H-1) entrant must:
1. Hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree
2. Plan to perform H-1B-caliber work or training
Temporary Protected Status Registration Period Extended for Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the initial registration deadline for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from May 20, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2015, for eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in one of those three countries).
DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designation for Nepal
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks. As a result, eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Public Charge - Immigration Consequences of Receiving Benefits/Assistance
In tomorrow's community conference call, one of the community members has raised the issue whether receiving certain kinds of State benefits becomes an issue for immigration.
New "Visa" for Entrepreneurs - Significant Public Benefit Parole
USCIS is in the process of implementing a proposed “significant public benefit” parole program for entrepreneurs. This is one of the executive actions on immigration announced by President Obama on November 20, 2014.
USCIS states:
Under this proposed initiative, and based on the USCIS’s existing statutory parole authority, Department of Homeland Security may extend parole, on a case-by-case basis, to eligible founders of start-up enterprises who may not yet qualify for a national interest waiver, but who:
PERM Processing Times (as of 06/01/2015)
|
Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
|
|
Month |
Year |
|
|
Analyst Review |
November |
2014 |
|
Audit Review |
December | |
Agency
Green Card
Update to Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions
USCIS has issued an update to Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions. The new edition is dated 05/07/15.
Starting 08/15/15, USCIS will accept only the 05/07/15 edition. USCIS will accept editions dated 03/11/13 or earlier until08/14/15.
For a complete listing of updated forms, visit Forms Updates page.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for the Second Half of Fiscal Year 2015
On June 5, 2015, USCIS announced that it had reopened the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has now received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2015. June 11, 2015 was the final receipt date for new H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before October 1, 2015.