Guestbook Entry for SAMIR SHAH, United States
Name
SAMIR SHAH
Country
United States
State
OH
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Guestbook Entry for Aruna Disanayaka, United States
Name
Aruna Disanayaka
Country
United States
State
MD
Guestbook Entry for Ravikanth Akupatni, United States
Name
Ravikanth Akupatni
Country
United States
State
MI
Immigration for Abused Spouse
U.S. citizens (USC) and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) may file immigrant visa petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of a spouse or child, so that these family members may immigrate to or remain in the United States. Sadly, certain cases exist where U.S. citizens and LPRs misuse their control of this process to abuse their family members. Consequently, most battered immigrants are fearful to report the abuse to the police or other authorities out of fear of losing their immigration benefits.
Green Card
USCIS to Celebrate Independence Day by Hosting Naturalization Ceremonies Across the Country
Agency is prioritizing naturalization ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic
Release Date: July 1, 2020
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is celebrating the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the great country by hosting naturalization ceremonies across the United States from July 1 through July 7. Despite the pandemic, USCIS continues to welcome new citizens, demonstrating American resiliency and the importance of independence.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain:
SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester
WASHINGTON – The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications Monday to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to publish the procedures and responsibilities in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule.
Temporary exemptions for the fall 2020 semester include:
PERM Processing Times (as of 6/30/2020)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | March 2020 |
| Audit Review | September 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2020 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Applying Discretion in USCIS Adjudications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today consolidated existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding officers’ application of discretion in adjudications.
Visa Bulletin - August 2020
Number 44
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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
July 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs: Covid-19/Coronavirus applying for B-2 status || Working from Canada on or off H-1b || How can I qualify for EB-1C/International Managers or Executives ||
OTHER: STEM OPT EAD || Travel on I-539 || AC21 portability || Day trading on H1b (I-140 approved) or on H4? || Can I withdraw the COS to H4 once my H1b is approved? || Green Card expiring, filing I-90? || Disorderly conduct arrest record in the I-485 form || Entry restrictions on visitor visa || Reckless ticket and oath ceremony || Immigration processing delays || Pay on H-4 EAD expiry || Travel to India while the i-539 application is pending ||
USCIS Clarifies Guidance on Initial and Further Deployment of Investment Capital
USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual with clarifying guidance on the deployment of investment capital under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. It addresses the deployment of capital by a new commercial enterprise before jobs have been created. It also further explains the deployment of capital after an immigrant investor meets the program’s job creation requirements.
USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
WASHINGTON—Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule (PDF) that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests to ensure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recovers its costs of services.
Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee funded. Fees collected and deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account fund nearly 97% of USCIS’ budget.
AAO Processing Times (April - June 2020)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 35.22% | 1431 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 78.57% | 14 |
| I-129H1B | Nonimmigrant Specialty Occupation Worker |
Agency
Immigration Law
A Visa Overview
Note that the “A” Visa, G Visa, and NATO Visa are similar diplomatic visas. The “A” Visa applies to diplomats and foreign government officials, and their assistants; the G Visa applies to national representatives to international organizations; the NATO Visa applies to NATO representatives, staff, and families. Anyone in the diplomatic field may wish to review the descriptions for all three of these visas.
Nonimmigrant Visas
EOIR Issues Fact Sheet on the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO)
Executive Office for Immigration Review of the DOJ issued a fact sheet on its Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO). This office hears immigration cases related to employer sanctions, document fraud, unfair employment practices, and international marriage brokerage.
For detail information please check attachment.
E-3 Visas for Australian Citizens
We were retained by a corporate client to process several E-3 petitions for nationals of Australia. All of the visas were issued at the Australian consulates without any problem. One applicant has already entered the U.S is currently working on E-3 status. We have also submitted a petition for an E-3 amendment with USCIS, which was also approved without any issues.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Profession/Occupation
CIS Ombudsman Update to Resolve Pending Derivative Form I-485s Due to File Separation
This update will share information on current trends and issues to assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with USCIS.
FDNS (Fraud Detection and National Security) H-1B Investigations
FDNS H1B Assessment Overview and History:
Nonimmigrant Visas
Agency
Immigration Law
H-1B Benefit Fraud & Compliance Assessment
The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), a Division of the National Security and Records Verification (NSRV) Directorate, drafted this report, in collaboration with the other USCIS Directorates and the USCIS Office of Chief Counsel. All USCIS components reviewed the cases involving fraud or technical violations and the proposed enhancements to the H-1B program and concurred on the report.
For more information on this report please check the attachment.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
H-1B Program and Information Sharing with Homeland Security
This report from GAO describes: (1) how Labor carries out its H-1B program responsibilities; and (2) how Labor works with other agencies involved in the H-1B program.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Agency
Immigration Law
Review of the USCIS Benefit Fraud Referral Process
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) by amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978.
This report addresses the Fraud Detection and National Security program of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The program endeavors to detect and deter immigration benefit fraud. This report is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents.