WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today launched the Border Wait Time app making it easier for travelers to plan their trip across the border. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status at land ports of entry allowing travelers to make an informed decision of where and when to cross the border. Wait times for pedestrian and passenger and commercial vehicle crossings are broken down by lane type (standard, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, etc.). Travelers can download the app for free from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing an email address for state juvenile courts and child welfare agencies to submit general questions about the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. You can also submit requests for a USCIS representative to talk to your organization about the program. The address is: USCIS-IGAOutreach@uscis.dhs.gov.
We discussed: Working concurrently with H-1 cap exempt and quota employers, immigration issues if we have a special needs (cerebral palsy) child, applied B-2 to main status while F-1 is expiring, Section 245(k) and illegal work, DETAILED DISCUSSION OF I-140 REVOCATION IMPLICATIONS INCLUDING AC21, impact on H-1 of reentry on advance parole, Section 13 green card for diplomats, who can co-sponsor affidavit of support I-864, proving cross chargeability, transfer of priority dates for a future job approval
The Department has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for each state, based on the Farm Labor Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The AEWRs are the minimum hourly wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment for a particular agricultural job and area, so that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected.
Pursuant to REAL ID regulations, beginning December 1, 2014, federal agencies may not accept State-issued driver's licenses or identification cards for official purposes from individuals born after December 1, 1964, unless the license or card is REAL ID-compliant and was issued by a compliant State as determined by DHS.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Sandy of certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief that may be available to them.
USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits. Eligible individuals may request or apply for temporary relief measures, including:
When using the new visa appointment site, what should my client list in the mandatory field that asks for the "Request Number"?
When a visa applicant sets up a user account in the appointment system, an 8-digit identifying number is assigned to the applicant. When logged into the appointment system, this "Request Number" appears in white against a red background in the upper right hand corner of the screen in parentheses after the applicant's e-mail address:
What is USCIS’s policy on using evaluations of foreign degrees for Green Card purposes?
USCIS has verified that the education evaluation system that it regularly uses to evaluate the equivalency of foreign degrees to a US degree is the AACRAO EDGE database (edge.aacrao.org/). While alternate education evaluations can be submitted to USCIS, they must be documented with evidence as to why the alternate evaluation should be considered instead of the EDGE evaluation.
Online registration for the DV-2014 Program began on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concluded on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4). DV-2014 entrants will be able to check the status of their entries as of May 1, 2013 through Entrant Status Check (ESC) on the E-DV website. Review the DV Instructions below, as well as the Press Release.
Rajiv and his employees are very prompt and are always very friendly to begin with, so the whole experience dealing with them as a client is very informal and stress free. I would recommend Rajiv's Law Firm to everyone who wants their immigration journey to be tranquill/easy going.
I had been called for interview on 23rd Aug at Dhaka USA embassy. I am a DV 2012 applicant from Bangladesh and my DS-230, 122 form and pgotograph was received by KCC on 24th July 2012. 9th August I received 2NL and my interview was 23rd Aug.
My interview was so far good. I was able to submit all papers/documents that they have asked. After the interview Consular Officer said "you will get visa. your interview is successful. but we need time to complete our official work. This is Normal."
I have finally got the good news and picked my visa today. I was interviewed on 4th June and picked the visa today on 4th September. I was Interviewed at Islamabad Embassy as an Afghan national.
Note: I have got to tell you something that the embassy will not send you email or phone call if your visa is approved. Instead call Department of state and check your case status there. They give frequent answers and have updated case information. That is what I did.
Thanks for the support of all of you.
Number 51
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
An applicant whose Form I-131 is filed and currently pending at a USCIS Service Center may go to a local office to apply for an expedited Advance Parole in case of an emergency. Have there been any changes to the process in which the applicant presents a copy of the receipts for the I-131 (and the underlying applications), documentation proving the emergency, filing fee, and two photos?
There has been no change to this policy. USCIS requires documentary evidence of the emergent situation, as well as supporting documentation indicating that the applicant has a pending application.
If a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) needs proof of LPR status, USCIS provides an ADIT stamp in the passport.This is not done often because the card is usually manufactured and delivered very quickly for newly approved applicants. However, for those in removal proceedings, the ADIT stamp is still needed.For those without passports and for those with expired passports, in the past, USCIS issued the ADIT stamp and a seal on an I-94 card to which a photo of the LPR was attached. Has there been a change to this process?Can an attorney with a G-28 attend with an INFOPASS on behalf of the client for ADIT stamp issuance? Is there any requirement for the client to be physically present?Does it make a difference if the LPR has been ordered by an Immigration Judge to be removed but an Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is still pending? (The person is still an LPR until the BIA decision).
There have been no changes to this policy. USCIS does not issue ADIT stamps routinely as the applicant should be receiving I-551s within several weeks.
What is the USCIS approach to an application for Naturalization that shows that the applicant has continually resided in the U.S. for several years in addition to the statutory period, but might have had a prior extended absence after becoming an LPR?
These applications are decided on a case-by-case basis.
How does USICS handle a situation when, during a marriage-based adjustment application, it transpires that there might have been an eligibility issue with the Naturalization application of the U.S. Citizen (USC) spouse petitioner? For example, it is discovered that divorce proceedings had been initiated after the naturalization application was filed,but prior to the interview and the divorce was finalized soon after the oath, and eligibility being based on three years of residence in marital union with USC. What factual issues arise and what is the standard for proceeding with an action for denaturalization?
If USCIS determines that an applicant for naturalization was not eligible to naturalize, the evidence is obtained and submitted to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel for determination of denaturalization.
If there is a knowing misrepresentation in a naturalization application, as opposed to a simple failure to disclose, would this lead to removal proceedings in addition to denaturalization?
It might. If Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel proceeds with denaturalization and is successful, removal proceedings may be instituted.
With regard to any removal risk, how would USCIS view a voluntary recanting of an intentional misrepresentation in a naturalization application? For example, what if the beneficiary brings the issue to USCIS’s attention and formally withdraws the misrepresentation, thereby subjecting him/herself to denaturalization?
USCIS would submit the case to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel for determination.
I am in the US in F-1 status. I just received a job offer and the company is ready to sponsor my H-1B. When can we apply for my H-1B visa?
If the employer is exempt from the quota, they may apply at any time. If they are subject to the quota, they can file the H-1B petition to reach USCIS no earlier than April 1, 2013, with a requested start date of employment no earlier than October 1, 2013.
Frequently asked question (FAQ) document regarding extensions and other reasonable case-accommodations in light of the damage done by Hurricane Sandy, affecting the H-1B, H-2A, H-2B and the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM).
I don't have the words to express how wonderful I think this law firm is. We have been working with Rajiv and his teams for the past 2 years and we will be a lifetime client! It is a pleasure to work with people who are so lively and fun and know their stuff. I was thinking..."how & why do you tell someone who is EXCELLENT at what they do that they are greater than even they think?" Then I thought even Superman needs to know he's doing a great job! Thank you for all you do for us Rajiv etal. We are your BIGGEST FANS!!!