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.
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Oath letter
Just received the Oath letter (can't believe that it came so fast).
Citizenship and Naturalization
Guestbook Entry for Jayasree Datta, United States
Name
Jayasree Datta
Country
United States
State
CA
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.
H-4 and EAD
Question details
My wife has H-4 plus EAD. If my job details changes, will my wife's EAD will be affected?
As long as appropriate H-1 amendments are filed and you maintain status, the change in your job description has no effect on the H-4 EAD.
FAQ Transcript
I-140 approved - H-1B renewal
Question details
Using an existing approved I-140, can a H-1B be renewed any number of times, with new/multiple different employers, even without restarting any paperwork for GC with the new employer?
Yes, as long as the I-140 is not revoked.
FAQ Transcript
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
Guestbook Entry for Karthikeyan Velu, United States
Name
Karthikeyan Velu
Country
United States
State
CA
Comment
Mr. Khanna was awesome. He is our corporate attorney for Immigration needs, and his knowledge in various situations and addressing all your queries are awesome. All in his team, Diane, Fran, Heather are very knowledgeable and very good in all documentation process. Mr. Khanna advised my case of H1B GC processing in EB1C since I was a manager in the overseas entity, he provided right guidance and set clear expectations on the possible outcomes, and handed the situation very nicely. Diane, who was handling my case, excellent in followups, you don't need to ask anything, all the SR / queries were handled by Diane without me asking it. Very impressive. thank you Mr. Khanna , Diane, and team for your excellent role.
AAO Processing Times as of March 1, 2016
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Agency
Immigration Law
Visa Bulletin - April 2016
Green Card
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.
FAQs: Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
On February 26, 2015, USCIS hosted a teleconference about new regulatory changes, effective May 26, 2015, that extended eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of certain H-1B nonimmigrants wh
New Rules for STEM OPT Extension (Continually Updated, As Needed)
The new rule regulating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), becomes effective on May 10, 2016.
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.
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?
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.
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 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
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for Six Months
DHS extended the designations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional six months. Although there have been significant improvements in the conditions in all three countries since their designations for TPS in November 2014, the lingering effects of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and continued recovery challenges support this six-month extension. The extended designation is effective May 22, 2016, through Nov. 21, 2016.
US Work and Immigration Options for Foreign Professionals
US Work and Immigration Options for Foreign Professionals
A discussion with two members of our community
Can H-1 Visa Workers Do Business in the USA
Can H-1 Visa Holders Do Business in the USA?
A community discussion
New STEM Designated Degree Program list - ICE
The STEM Designated Degree Program list is a complete list of fields of study DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of study for purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension described at 8 CFR 214.2(f). Under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2), a STEM field of study is a field of study “included in the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs taxonomy within the two-digit series containing engineering, biological sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, or a related field.
Thanks a lot Mr. Khanna and Team for helping us with my mothers permanent residency application process. You guys are extremely helpful, diligent and professional. Mr. Khanna with his legal team helped in every step of the process of the permanent residency application. They helped prepare all the legal documents with all the relevant evidence and the case was approved without any hitches. I and my mother are extremely grateful for their help and we would definitely recommend your services to other friends and family in the future.