USCIS Forms Update Notice
recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Update to Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition; New Edition Dated 11/08/19.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
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AAO Processing Times (October - December 2019)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative of all completions | 49.70% | 1827 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 4 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 62.22% | 45 |
| I-129H1B |
Agency
Immigration Law
Treaty Termination Ends Certain Visa Eligibility for Iranian Nationals
USCIS today announced (PDF) that, due to the Oct. 3, 2018, termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran, Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor changes or extensions of status based on the treaty.
Rajiv's News Clips - US court sets aside plea, IT service companies will need to file more evidence when hiring H-1Bs
Published by : The Times Of India - Date: January 23, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
Arlington based, Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com views that the policy memo threatens not just a few H-1B cases but the very existence of several IT service and consulting companies, because of the atmosphere of high uncertainty of approval of H1B applications.
Jan 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, January 23, 2020
FAQ: Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges || Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration || Impact of 214(b) denial || Requirements for obtaining green card under EB-1C, International Managers and Executives ||
OTHER: NVC fees issues || USC relocating to India while green card petition for parents is pending || Is original I-140 approval required for priority date transfer? || Effect of subsequent H-1B, H-4 approval on current H-1B, H-4 case || Additional review of a pending I-140, delay || USCIS processing times estimate || 221(g) Administrative processing for H-1B visa || CSPA logistical problems || Carrying cash in and out of the USA || Incorrect DS-160 || List of cap exempt employers || Naturalization of children
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/31/2019)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2019 |
| Audit Review | April 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2019 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Adjusts Process for Managing EB-5 Visa Petition Inventory
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a process change for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, from a first-in, first-out basis to a visa availability approach.
This new operational approach aligns with other visa-availability agency adjudications processes, is more consistent with congressional intent for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and increases fairness in the administration of the program.
USCIS Issues Updates to Biometrics Collection Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updates to its Policy Manual that address mobile biometrics services and fingerprint waivers.
USCIS requires biometrics from individuals who submit applications, petitions, and requests for certain immigration benefits. USCIS uses biometrics to verify identity, produce secure documents, and conduct required criminal and national security background checks.
Mobile Biometrics Services
USCIS Announces Public Charge Rule Implementation Following Supreme Court Stay of Nationwide Injunctions
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (“Final Rule”) on Feb. 24, 2020, except for in the State of Illinois where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court as of Jan. 30, 2020. Under the Final Rule, USCIS will look at the factors required under the law by Congress, like an alien’s age, health, income, education and skills, among others, in order to determine whether the alien is likely at any time to become a public charge.
USCIS Announces Implementation of H-1B Electronic Registration Process for Fiscal Year 2021 Cap Season
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it has completed a successful pilot testing phase and is implementing the registration process in the next H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee.
Rajiv's News Clips - Indian IT's H-1B visa woes could worsen in 2020
Published by : ETtech From the Economic Times - Date: January 03, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
“There is more than a little apprehension that the process could be muddled up because of technological or workflow errors made by the government,” said Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com.
For more on this news please see the attachment.
EB1 - Outstanding Researcher
We won this case for the applicant based on his exceptional research record evident by his numbers of publications and invited presentations. At the time of filing, the applicant's research work had been cited over 100 times which is indicative of the high-quality, highly regarded work that he does. Referees noted that this applicant was one of the very small percentage of scientists who achieve the highest level of success in their given field.
Profession/Occupation
EB2 - National Interest Wavier (Physician in Medically Underserved Area
We won a case for National Interest Waiver for a Physician working in a medically underserved area. We provided a five year contract, copy of his J-1 Waiver approval, numerous experience letters, a letter from the Department of State and documentation to reflect statistics of health professional shortage in the area.
Profession/Occupation
Green Card
EB2 - National Interest Waiver
We won this case as the applicant was noted to be a critical component to the success of various projects and had a very large impact on the research program. Referees described this applicant's talents to be rare and difficult to replace by U.S. workers. Her original and pioneering research made her uniquely qualified to further this intrinsically important research which greatly effected the nation as a whole.
Profession/Occupation
Green Card
EB1 - Outstanding Researcher/Professor
We won this case for the applicant who had over twelve years research and teaching experience. He was considered a critical component to the success of his current project. At the time of filing, the applicant had over 22 publications in prestigious, international scholarly journals. The applicant's significant contributions had been cited by other renowned researchers in his field. His Ph.D. work was highly regarded and noted to be admired by several leading experts.
Profession/Occupation
EB1 - Outstanding Researcher
This applicant had over twelve years of research experience. We noted the applicant's international reputation in the fourteen recommendation letters submitted. The applicant was a member of a prestigious professional society membership of which requires noted achievements in the field. We provided evidence of the extensive presentations the applicant made due to his level of expertise in the field.