Guestbook Entry for Arul Palanivelu, United States
Name
Arul Palanivelu
Country
United States
State
ID
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Guestbook Entry for Rob Ray, United States
Name
Rob Ray
Country
United States
State
FL
AAO Processing Times (January - March 2021)
The AAO reports its processing times by form type, displaying the total number of completions for the quarter and the percentage completed within 180 days, which is our goal.
The administrative appeals process has two stages: initial field review and AAO appellate review.
Immigration Law
Immigration for Abused Spouse
U.S. citizens (USC) and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) may file immigrant visa petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of a spouse or child, so that these family members may immigrate to or remain in the United States. Sadly, certain cases exist where U.S. citizens and LPRs misuse their control of this process to abuse their family members. Consequently, most battered immigrants are fearful to report the abuse to the police or other authorities out of fear of losing their immigration benefits.
Green Card
USCIS to Celebrate Independence Day by Hosting Naturalization Ceremonies Across the Country
Agency is prioritizing naturalization ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic
Release Date: July 1, 2020
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is celebrating the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the great country by hosting naturalization ceremonies across the United States from July 1 through July 7. Despite the pandemic, USCIS continues to welcome new citizens, demonstrating American resiliency and the importance of independence.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
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 and petitioners who are responding to certain:
SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester
WASHINGTON – The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications Monday to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to publish the procedures and responsibilities in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule.
Temporary exemptions for the fall 2020 semester include:
PERM Processing Times (as of 6/30/2020)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | March 2020 |
| Audit Review | September 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2020 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Applying Discretion in USCIS Adjudications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today consolidated existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding officers’ application of discretion in adjudications.
Visa Bulletin - August 2020
Number 44
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during August for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
July 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs: Covid-19/Coronavirus applying for B-2 status || Working from Canada on or off H-1b || How can I qualify for EB-1C/International Managers or Executives ||
OTHER: STEM OPT EAD || Travel on I-539 || AC21 portability || Day trading on H1b (I-140 approved) or on H4? || Can I withdraw the COS to H4 once my H1b is approved? || Green Card expiring, filing I-90? || Disorderly conduct arrest record in the I-485 form || Entry restrictions on visitor visa || Reckless ticket and oath ceremony || Immigration processing delays || Pay on H-4 EAD expiry || Travel to India while the i-539 application is pending ||
USCIS Clarifies Guidance on Initial and Further Deployment of Investment Capital
USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual with clarifying guidance on the deployment of investment capital under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. It addresses the deployment of capital by a new commercial enterprise before jobs have been created. It also further explains the deployment of capital after an immigrant investor meets the program’s job creation requirements.
USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
WASHINGTON—Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule (PDF) that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests to ensure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recovers its costs of services.
Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee funded. Fees collected and deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account fund nearly 97% of USCIS’ budget.
AAO Processing Times (April - June 2020)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 35.22% | 1431 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 78.57% | 14 |
| I-129H1B | Nonimmigrant Specialty Occupation Worker |
Agency
Immigration Law
A Visa Overview
Note that the “A” Visa, G Visa, and NATO Visa are similar diplomatic visas. The “A” Visa applies to diplomats and foreign government officials, and their assistants; the G Visa applies to national representatives to international organizations; the NATO Visa applies to NATO representatives, staff, and families. Anyone in the diplomatic field may wish to review the descriptions for all three of these visas.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Visa Bulletin For May 2021
Number 53
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Medicals for I-485
As I had said in our last community conference call, our office inquired. A USCIS officer advised not to submit medicals without an RFE. He said wait for the RFE or bring them to the interview.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions
Release Date
04/27/2021
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
Rajiv's Article - The US will continue with its 2020 student immigration policies. Here's what that means for you
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 28, 2021
Synopsis
New or Initial F and M students who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020, will not be able to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant student for the 2021-22 academic year if their course of study is 100 percent online.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - H-1B visa extensions will be smoother as Trump-era memo is revoked
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 28, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, “Business entities make plans based on consistency and predictability – not being able to rely on the availability of professional workers was not conducive to business nor to non-citizen workers.”
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Document Verification Request Supplement
04/08/2021 07:54 AM EDT
Starting June 28, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 04/08/21 edition. Until then, you can also use the 05/29/18 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
04/08/2021 07:36 AM EDT
Community Conference Call, April 29, 2021. Presented by: Rajiv S. Khanna (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
FAQ: Options for potential H-4 dependent visa holder continuing their employment in India || Applying for a green card while on F-1 Student status or OPT
Travel from India to USA Banned
6 May 2021
As of today, there are no updates from the government beyond what was on the US Consulate website
On 30 April 2021, President Biden placed a restriction on travel to the US.
H-1B and CPT