Discussion Topics:
H-4 to F-1 status change || Employer-sponsored EB1A || Portability under 221(g) || Expedite EAD request on Financial Hardship || Multiple H-4 processing in parallel for dependent along with Primary dependent H-1 Visa || H-1B Transfer issues
Published by : ETtech From the Economic Times - Article by: Ayan Pramanik & Priyanka Sangani - Date: November 05, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has indicted two men in a scheme to obtain lawful permanent resident status for South Korean nationals by submitting fraudulent visa applications that falsely claimed American businesses wanted to hire skilled foreign workers.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The registration fee is part of an agency-wide effort to modernize and more efficiently process applications to live or work in the United States.
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | July 2019 |
| Audit Review | February 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2019 |
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to adjust the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Immigration Examinations Fee Account fee schedule.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a proposed rule to deter aliens from illegally entering the United States and from filing frivolous, fraudulent or otherwise non-meritorious asylum applications in order to obtain employment authorization.
was there early in the morning 6am, entered line in orchard st taken inside at 8.00am, to 2nd floor office
- iEAD applications must have a duplicate application prepared with documents. they check before you get in
- make sure you have an address in NJ, they ask proof of residence in NJ to issue your documents, bring DL, utility bill etc to prove that.
- got the card the same day for 8 months,
- they lost our documents, then found them in the 3'rd office where your pictures will be taken
Discussion Topics, Thursday, November 14, 2019
FAQs:
Can H-1B lay off 60 days grace period be taken only once or can it be taken multiple times?
If one H1-B extension is filed and pending, can transfer to a new employer be filed? Is this safe?
If I move to H4 and my H4 is pending for approval, can an H-1B be filed? Is this safe ?
Procedure and time to get a green card for the spouse of a green card holder
Can we apply 2 H-1B transfers while my extension with same employer is in process with different client? If the extension is denied, will other two transfers will be denied?
AC21 portability before 180 days
OTHER: I have my I-140 approved and it has been over 6 months. If I change my job, do I need to go through the entire I-140 process again? || Withdrawing N400 || TN visa derivative for boyfriend || Naturalization, absence of 6 months || Using old H-4 visa stamp || L-1 amendment || EAD delays || F-1 visa stamping || Receipt lost
Number 36
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated data (PDF, 745 KB) on arrests and apprehensions of illegal aliens who requested Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Published by : Times of India - Article by: Lubna Kably - Date: November 22, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv Khanna, Managing Partner at Immigration.com told TOI, “For L-1B, under the statute, the beneficiary (proposed visa holder) is deemed to have specialised knowledge if he or she has ‘special’ knowledge of the company’s product and its application in international markets. An ‘advanced’ knowledge of the processes and procedures of the company also qualify.”
On Oct. 11, USCIS issued three adopted Administrative Appeals Office decisions to clarify requirements for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. USCIS is now updating the USCIS Policy Manual (PDF, 375 KB) to reflect those clarifications.
This update reaffirms and clarifies that:
USCIS issued a policy guidance (PDF, 382 KB) explaining how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifying when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status has been terminated. An immigration judge does not need to affirm the termination of CPR status before the alien can file a new adjustment of status application.
Published by : ETtech From the Economic Times - Article by: Priyanka Sangani - Date: November 22, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
The definition of 'specialty occupation' and the 'employer-employee' relationship were passed by a Statute by the US Congress and the DHS cannot change it, said Rajiv S Khanna, managing attorney at law firm Immigration.com.
WASHINGTON — The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) deployed 14 additional field representatives to territories across the country this week. The field representatives serve as liaisons between the nearly 9,000 U.S. schools that enroll international students and SEVP. The program, housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), certifies schools to enroll international students and protects national security by overseeing those students for compliance with U.S. laws.
WASHINGTON— Due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The following topics were discussed in today's community conference call. The video is attached below. Discussed: Abandonment of Green Card, OPT to H-1 change delay, immigration consequences of criminal conviction for misdemeanor (petty offense exception), N-470 to maintain residence, EB-2 filing, Investing in stocks while on H-1, delays and difficulty in entering the USA -- TRIP, H-4 visa stamping, getting married to a US Citizen while on H-1, marriage certificate, immigration reform, CSPA, Cross chargeability, Unpaid leave on H-1, H-1 visa stamping, NOIR for multiple H-1 filing through related companies, frequency of visits on B visa, employment verification letters in PERM.
On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.