Discussion Topics, Thursday 19 October 2017:
FAQ: Pros and cons of adjustment of status and consular processing for green card || Applying for green card while holding H-4 status; applying for green card and permanent residence for another country simultaneously ||Changing status from tourist or business visa (B1 or B2) within the United States|| How to read the visa bulletin? || What type of questions can be asked in consular or adjustment of status interview for employment based applicants || Effect of a speeding ticket on green card or naturalization/citizenship || Effect of moving abroad while still on H-1B visa || Denial of H-1B on Level 1 wage issue || Doing business on H-4 EAD. Other: Family-based green card for an H-1B holder || Filing concurrent H-1B for family-owned business || Relationship between maintaining US permanent residence and expiration of green card || I-94 correction through the CBP || H-4 visa/status issues || H-1B laid off || H-4 EAD to H-1 || H-4 EAD issues, etc.
WASHINGTON — Under updated policy guidance (PDF, 97 KB), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DC
October 24, 2017
Based on Section 6(a) of Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” the U.S. government undertook a 120-day review of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to identify and implement additional security screening processes in order to uphold the safety of the American people.
As a result, the President has issued a new Executive Order that provides for the general resumption of the USRAP.
The following Immigration Policy Memorandum is now available in the Policy Memoranda section of the USCIS website:
USCIS generally process cases in the order they receive them. The link below provides you an estimate of how much time the office handling your case currently takes to process your type of application, petition, or request.
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2017
WASHINGTON – Based on a new information-sharing partnership between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), foreign nationals in certain categories or classifications can now apply for work authorization and a social security number using a single form – the updated Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):Update to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization10/02/2017 12:00 AM EDTNew edition dated 07/17/17. Starting 12/04/2017, USCIS will only accept the 07/17/17 edition.
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2017
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa extension of stay petitions. Premium processing is now available for all types of H-1B petitions.
Discussion Topics, Thursday 5 October 2017: FAQ: Current immigration/visa options for entrepreneurs || Immigration consequences of a denial of entry at the airport || Status of H-4 EAD litigation/suit ||
Other: Status change while another application is pending (H-1, H-4) || RFE issued AFTER H-1 approval || I-485 Advance Parole staying in the USA after I-94 expiration || Change in job titles effect on green card and H-1 || VAWA for H-4 || Responding to level 1 wage on H-1 RFE || Timing etc. of green card application while H-1 is still in process || Citizenship, effect of non filing of taxes ||Applying for green card for step daughter || I-140 approval uncertain || Effect on H-4 EAD when H-1 loses job || H-4 EAD rule litigation || I-94 approval duration discrepancy || Time lines in green card || Level 1 wage issues
USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as hurricanes.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
The Trump Administration is ready to work with Congress to achieve three immigration policy objectives to ensure safe and lawful admissions; defend the safety and security of our country; and protect American workers and taxpayers.
Please check attached document for the executive summary.
Number 11
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November 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.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has determined that conditions in Sudan no longer support its designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after reviewing country conditions and after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials’ consultations with the appropriate U.S. government agencies. Acting Secretary Duke is extending benefits for beneficiaries of Sudan TPS for 12 months to allow for an orderly transition before the designation terminates on Nov. 2, 2018.
USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as natural disasters.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has posted additional data about the agency’s employment-based visa programs on its website. This new information reflects USCIS’ commitment to transparency in carrying out President Trump’s Buy American and Hire American Executive Order.
Datasets now available on the webpage include:
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has published Round 13 of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to H-2A Applications for Temporary Employment Certification under the 2010 Rule.
We received notice to come into Baltimore office for EAD 6 days before appointed time. Both were out of town on business on day of appointment, so followed instructions of informing them in writing and requesting new appointment date.
Didn't hear from them for more than 90 days, so made appointment on INFOPASS.
Arrived at 9am, called within 5 minutes to window - showed EAD application filing receipt and told to wait. 2 hours passed,
It was ~92 days since I applied at VSC and so decided to go to Boston for interim EAD.
Came at 6:20AM at entrance. 10 Guys ahead of us and by 7AM 20 guys behind us. Were promptly let in by guard at 7 AM. Was issued a ticket number after standing in line for a brief period. Then waited till 11:30 AM to get my 5 min at the counter. Officer was courteous and simply asked us for the relevant forms. He then gave the approval form to drop off with the person who makes the EAD card who took about 30 min to issue the card.
Myself and my wife applied for EAD on 12/13/2004. I got approved in a week but she did not get approval. So, We took the appointment at Newark, NJ at 7:45 AM on 04/22/2005.
We reached 970 Broad St, Newark ,NJ at 5 AM. No one was there and waited outside of the builing. People started coming after 6:15 AM. By 7:30 AM there were around 40-50 people around.