Guestbook Entry for Sameer, United States
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Sameer
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United States
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Texas
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USCIS Updates Process for Accepting Petitions for Relatives Abroad
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.
Public Charge Inadmissibility Final Rule: Revised Forms and Updated Policy Manual Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published revised forms consistent with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including USCIS, will implement on Feb. 24, 2020. Beginning Feb. 24, 2020, applicants and petitioners must use new editions of the following forms below (except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court):
USCIS Response to the 2019 Coronavirus
USCIS is actively monitoring the effects of the public health emergency related to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak on agency operations.
Rajiv's News Clips - US policy that restricted international students’ re-entry blocked - Times of India
Published by : The Times Of India - Date: February 08, 2020
Students cannot be in unlawful presence, says the court
International students can breathe a sigh of relief. The USCIS has lost another case against its attempts to assault legal immigration. A federal court has held that its attempts to create artificial, three year or ten bars from reentry by students into the USA are illegal.
Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration
Question details
I have an approved I-140 with priority date of June 2013 from Employer "A". I moved to employer "B" in 2018 and extended my H1-B till June 2021. He is currently processing my labor for new application. Meanwhile, I got offers from "C" and "D". "C" is an established firm and is well aware of the immigration process. "D" is a small business enterprise started about 2 years ago and haven't sponsored any employee yet.
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Does withdrawing a timely filed application/petition with the USCIS lead to unlawful presence?
Question details
1. Can I just withdraw the whole petition? and go out of the country and travel back on H4
2. Will withdrawing the "Extension+Amendment" petition without responding to the RFE make my presence UNLawful for the last 11 months. (I-94 Expired Dec 2018 last year) because I worked on the client on their new address without an approved amendment?
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Visas for same-sex partners from countries where such marriage is not allowed
Question details
My partner is a teacher and was granted a J-1 visa on September 25, 2019. We've been together under one roof for 5 years and undergone the rite of Holy Union since same-sex marriage is not honored in the Philippines. I would like to seek advice on the best possible way on how to go to the US. Should I still push through with the J-2 visa application or as a tourist or visitor?
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges
Question details
I am planning to sponsor Visitor Visa for my sister,she was diagnosed with Down syndrome when she was 1 year and she is now 45 yrs old.
Considering her condition, i would like to know what additional documentation is required for visitor Visa B1/B2 apart from I130, letters to consulate & bank statements.
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Feb 6, 2020, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs:
- H-4 visa stamping - problems with H-1B
- Sponsoring family based green card while living outside the US
- When is H-1B amendment required?
- Getting EB-1C based green card by moving out for one year
- Obtaining birth certificates
Feb 20, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs: Feb 20, 2020 Community Call
- I-140 issues - getting a copy of approval notice, leaving employer when I-140 approved less than 180 days
- Impact on H-4 - H-4 EAD if the H-1B holder changes jobs
- Promotion while PERM is pending or approved
- Birth Certificates
What happens if you overstay your I-94
Question details
Parents came to the USA on a B-2 Visa in March 2021. I have requested an I-539 extension in August 2021 due to COVID and they stayed till Jan 2022. Eventually the extension got denied. Is this a problem?
FAQ Transcript
The government will say as one has overstayed their I-94, they will now be subject to section 222(g). If you overstay your I-94 the visa stamp on your passport is automatically canceled, so you have to apply for a new visa. For more details on this issue, visit my author page on The Economic Times.
EB-2 green card process for Chinese born
Question details
How much time does the EB-2 green card process take for a Chinese born?
FAQ Transcript
For the Chinese born, it is getting more difficult. It is definitely longer for people who are born in India and shorter for China born so far as of this month.
Can you work on H-4 Visa?
Question details
Can you work on H-4 Visa?
FAQ Transcript
Not without an employment authorization which comes only at a certain level of maturity of your spouse's green card.
Layoffs - H-1B Visa Update
Question details
Question 1: The company has laid off the employee but have put them on payroll until March 2023. In this case, can the employee travel internationally and will he be able to re-enter the USA?
Question 2: Is it the right time to move to the USA from India on H-1B since one is beginning to hear a lot of layoffs took place in big MNCs?
FAQ Transcript
Answer 1: Do not travel until you get a job as you could have problems when you come back.
Answer 2. : If you are working for a big MNC then you need to think about it. But if you are working for a smaller company or a company that is not affected by the layoffs (example the healthcare industry) then you do not need to worry.
Traveling while H-1B and I-140 approved
Question details
Is it not recommended to travel outside USA when you are on H-1B and I-140 filed and approved ?
FAQ Transcript
Absolutely no problem, you can travel.
H-1 visa stamping and Dropbox appointment
Question details
I have Dropbox appointment in India and going alone. My husband has a valid I-797A but an expired visa. Will that affect my stamping?
FAQ Transcript
I do not know. It depends upon which way they are feeling on the day you go. Earlier there was no problem but now in some cases they have insisted you must have an H-1 visa stamp.
Reentering with F-1 visa again
Question details
A friend of mine went to the U.S. on F1 last year but due to some personal problems she came back home but she wants to go to the U.S again this year to a different university. Will there be a problem to get F1 again?
FAQ Transcript
Depends upon individual cases. Difficult to say.
U.S. Immigration work authorization act changes in 2023
Question details
Is there a possibility of getting approval for H-4 visa work authorization act this year?
FAQ Transcript
Nothing is going to happen on immigration this year.
Pending I-485 gives you the right to stay in the United States
Question details
My I-140 and I-485 is pending, my OPT has expired. Can I stay back in the U.S until I get my green card EAD ?
FAQ Transcript
Sure, because you have your I-485 pending. Having a pending I-485 gives you the right to stay in the United States.
Visiting Canada on F-1 visa status
Question details
Can I visit Canada with a valid F-1 Visa or do I need to take another visa ?
FAQ Transcript
If you are on F-1 status, you can definitely go to Canada.
F-1 change of status and H-4 expires
Question details
If I were to file for F-1 but my H-4 was going to expire would I have to file for an H-4 extension?
FAQ Transcript
No. So if within the life of your H-4 you apply for F-1 change of status and if the H-4 expires that's fine. By the way, H-4 allows you to go to school. As soon as you file for the F-1 you should be able to continue going to school. Also check with your DSO.
L-1 Layoffs
Question details
If someone is on L-1 and got laid off, what are the alternatives?
FAQ Transcript
Pretty much the same as H-1. 60 days grace period and if you still cannot find a job, leave the country or convert to student status if you want to go to school or B-1/B-2 if you want to just wait it out and look for jobs.
How to Submit a Case Assistance Request
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.
I would highly recommend the services of Rajiv Khanna for any immigration issues. They were successfully able to process my green card even though I had stopped working for the sponsoring company for about a year.