The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) assists individuals and employers in resolving difficulties they are experiencing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This page covers what CIS can and cannot help with and how you can submit a request for case assistance with the office.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, February 02, 2023:
FAQ: Criteria for national interest waiver || NIW for physical therapists || Multiple companies applying for H-1B Cap registration - H-1B lottery || Can H-4 visa (no EAD) holders take an unpaid internship? || Can H-4 EAD start a Business in any State? Can a relative's company file H-1B? || H-4 visa dependent children change of status to F-1 before 21 || Filing H-4 and H-1 simultaneously || Status of F-1 once H-4 is approved || Most efficient way to get EAD F-1 or H-4?
Release Date
02/08/2023
Starting February 10, 2023, self-petitioning abused spouses, children, and parents must file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the Nebraska Service Center instead of the Vermont Service Center.
Release Date
02/14/2023
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update when an immigrant visa number “becomes available” for the purpose of calculating a noncitizen’s age in certain situations under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).
Number 75
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March 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.
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March 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.
Visit our Visa Bulletin section for more information.
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
12/08/2021 10:43 AM EST
Edition Date: 12/08/21. Starting April 21, USCIS will only accept the 12/08/21 edition. Until then, you can also use the 06/13/17 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
Release Date
02/22/2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief (SSR)) who are work authorized under the SSR provisions of 8 CFR.
Discussion Topics:
FAQs: H-1B visa cap exemption - How does the 6-year rule work? || Will having EAD cards or petition approvals with gaps in the start and end date cause an issue?|| H-1B visa layoff options - Going to home country and applying for jobs, going through the lottery again, documents required to apply for a new visa to explain missing pay stubs and the contents of the documentation for termination contract sent by the company to the USCIS
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | May 2022 |
| Audit Review | March 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2022 |
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Rajiv Khanna Blog: http://www.immigration.com/blogs
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Rajiv Khanna Blog: http://www.immigration.com/blogs
ICE FAQs on the Administration’s August 18, 2011 announcement regarding a new process to ensure that immigration enforcement resources are focused on high priority cases.
The Department has replaced a PERM program Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding the use of an electronic or web-based national professional journal instead of a print journal when conducting recruitment for College and University Teachers as specified under 20 CFR 656.18.
Please check the attachment to read the FAQ.
This memorandum provides field guidance to all USCIS employees about their responsibilities regarding the priority processing of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, when filed by applicants who will soon loose supplemental Security Income(SSI) benefits because they have reached their eligibility time limit.
The Department has posted a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) to assist employers and others in understanding how the Service Contract Act (SCA) wages are used by the OFLC in issuing H-2B prevailing wage determinations.
USCIS policy memo on the self-petitioning eligibility of a battered or abused stepparent or adoptive parent of a U.S.C., and the eligibility for VAWA relief after termination of a step-relationship.
Please check the attachment to read USCIS policy memo.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule in Federal Register that establishes a Transitional Worker (CW) classification for workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The CW classification allows employers in the CNMI to hire nonimmigrant workers who are otherwise ineligible to work.