Release Date: June 29, 2017
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Departments of State and Justice, will begin the implementation of certain travel restriction provisions in the President’s Executive Order: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States at 8 pm EDT today.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today the expansion of Global Entry eligibility to citizens of India. Global Entry, a CBP Trusted Traveler Program, allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Indian citizens can begin applying for Global Entry through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) website. India becomes the 11th country overall whose citizens are eligible to enroll in Global Entry.
Number 8
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during August 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.
Discussion Topics, Thursday 13 July 2017:
FAQ: Evidence or documents created after the filing of a petition || H-4 EAD when an I-140 is revoked after 180 days || Can a green card be started on F-1 status? || New regulations, effect on layoff after I-140 approval || Reentry permit to preserve green card and extensions || I-94 given for a shorter duration at the airport than the petition approval date ||
Other: Deportation for crimes || Changing status after marriage in the USA || Revocation of I-140 after 180 days || Effect of minor violations on immigration status || Filing H-1 amendment, etc. || Removal of condition, Form I-751 || Multiple I-94 issued || Changing status when a change of status petition is pending || PERM - effect of variation in job description/requirements || Getting a copy of I-140 by filing FOIA with USCIS || Applying for change of status to H-1 || Calculating deadlines for RFE response falling on holidays || Changing status from H-1 to F-1, etc.
USCIS will release the latest Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17. Employers will be able to use this revised version or continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through Sept.
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17. Instructions for how to download Form I-9 are available on the Form I-9 page. Employers can use this revised version or continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through Sept. 17. On Sept. 18, employers must use the revised form with a revision date of 07/17/17 N.
On June 26, 2017, the United States Supreme Court issued an order agreeing to hear the Administration’s appeals of two rulings by Federal Appeals Courts regarding Executive Order 13780 and partially granting the government’s request to stay the lower courts’ injunctions. We will keep those traveling to the United States and partners in the travel industry informed as we implement the order in a professional, organized, and timely way.
USCIS announced on July 19, that it has returned all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in our computer-generated random selection process. USCIS previously announced on May 3, that it completed data entry of all selected cap-subject petitions.
The deadline for eligible nationals of Haiti (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is Monday, July 24, 2017. The limited 6-month extension of the TPS designation for Haiti runs from July 23, 2017, through Jan. 22, 2018.
Foreign visitors to the U.S. arriving via air or sea no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
Premium processing will resume for petitions that may be exempt from the cap if the H-1B petitioner is:
* An institution of higher education;
* A nonprofit related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education; or
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Update to Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
07/24/2017 12:00 AM EDT
New edition dated 06/13/17. Starting 09/22/2017, we will only accept the 06/13/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition.
Grants will support citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents
Lawful permanent residents who file the online Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, without assistance from an attorney or accredited representative, can now file their form and upload evidence entirely on a mobile device. The redesign of the online Form I-90 also allows lawful permanent residents to navigate the site more easily, making the process of renewing or replacing Green Cards more convenient.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to specify that every naturalization applicant must provide biometrics regardless of age, unless the applicant qualifies for a fingerprint waiver due to certain medical conditions.
For detail information, please read attached document.
Discussion Topics, Thursday 27 July 2017:
FAQ: Does H-4 require a prior USCIS approval for visa stamping? ||I-485 applicant holding multiple jobs on EAD
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
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
01/20/2025 09:15 AM EST
Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting July 3, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
I am reasonably sure that many people would be interested in learning about the new 5% remittance bill for non-US citizens and non-nationals. It's part of the big beautiful bill, so does it have a chance of getting passed? Is there a component of tax credit back for non-citizens (It says it has a tax credit back for taxpayers, but does not specify if they have to be US citizens/nationals or not) - if so, what % of it is reimbursed?
This would affect all countries, but India and Nigeria would be the most impacted. The media in both countries are covering it, but they are not mentioning the tax credit. We request that you shed more light on this bill and assist us with the possibilities, dates, and details.
Passage of the Bill: It's unlikely to pass the Senate in its current form, despite passing the House. Such provisions often face significant opposition when bundled into larger bills, and there's limited political support for a tax specifically targeting non-citizens sending money home.
Tax Credit Eligibility: Generally, non-citizens are not eligible for most US tax credits, particularly those intended for citizens or permanent residents. While specific tax credit eligibility is complex and depends on individual circumstances and the credit itself, the expert notes that a tax credit component for non-immigrants would defeat the bill's apparent purpose.
While applying for a B2 extension for job search, if I mention that despite giving so many interviews, I have not been able to get a job offer, will it increase or reduce my chances of approval?
Admitting to an unsuccessful job search on a B-2 visa extension application is unlikely to negatively affect approval, and honesty is always recommended. While not explicitly required, it's a logical and natural detail to include in your extension request, especially since your initial B-2 was likely for job searching.
When seeking an extension, you should:
Providing specific details about your job hunt adds credibility to your petition.
Currently, I'm on H1-B with an employer. My last working day with them would be on May 31st, 2025. I've already completed my grace period in the past, which was Sep 1st, 2024 - Oct 31st, 2024. I went back to my country and came to the US with my current employer. Now, I'm still looking for a new employer, and I don't think I can find one within this week. Can I still file for a B1/B2 visa and stay in the country without an employer from next week, May 31st, 2025? Can I be unemployed during the process time? Will there be any consequences?
No, you can potentially stay on a B-2 visa after H-1B employment ends, even if you've used a grace period before.
Here's why: The 60-day H-1B grace period renews with every new H-1B approval (extension, amendment, or transfer). Therefore, if you received a new H-1B approval with your current employer, you would have a fresh 60-day grace period.
During this grace period, you can file for a B-2 (visitor) visa to remain in the US. You are not considered unlawfully present until your B-2 application is denied. However, it's crucial to consult an immigration lawyer for personalized advice.