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.
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented its new Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system for the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Starting Oct. 1, employers who file an H-2A application for a temporary labor certification in FLAG will only receive the certification electronically.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 3, 2019
FAQ: When should we file Supplement J for AC21 || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Filing an I-485 for a junior position when already promoted || Expediting H-4 EAD || Is there a correlation between processing times and priority dates? || Traveling while H-4 EAD extension is pending.
OTHER: 60 days grace period between H-1B petitions || Options for alleged OPT/CPT violations || Requiring pay stubs from a retired Veteran || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Is there a deadline for filing I-485 after PD is current || Financial issues in sponsorship || Public charge rule || Refiling N-400 || Applying for H-1B extension while outside the USA || H-1B/EAD options || EB-1A changing jobs/multiple categories green cards pending || Indian OCI cards, etc.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Published by : The Times of India, Mumbai - Article by: Lubna Kably - Date: October 14, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified requirements regarding the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released preliminary fiscal year 2019 agency statistics, accomplishments and efforts to implement President Trump’s agenda. These preliminary statistics highlight important immigration trends and illustrate the work accomplished by USCIS in FY 2019. The agency will publish final, verified FY 2019 statistics later next month.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 17, 2019
FAQ: Filing I-485 through a new employer, if the old priority date gets current || Compelling Circumstances EAD || Converting from H-1B to H-4 and back again || How long is an I-140 approval valid?
OTHER: Public charge issues || L-1A, EB-1C issues correlation with H-1B || Expunged criminal conviction and naturalization || Changings jobs after getting green card || H-4 EAD || Traveling while Supplement J is pending || SOW MSA for H-1B || Reapplying after a denied H-1B || J-1 HRR || Changing employers while I-140 is pending || Public Charge || H-1B for a higher job || Buying health insurance. etc.
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.
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
USCIS is updating the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) to provide a sample notice of filing an Application for Permanent Employment Certification (ETA Form 9089) that complies with all regulatory requirements. The Policy Alert is available here:
To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, USCIS will begin producing on Oct. 24 a new security-enhanced U.S. travel document, which is a booklet that looks similar to a U.S. passport and serves dual purposes. The travel document can serve in place of:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, by removing the means-tested benefit criteria that was previously used as a factor in determining whether an applicant was exempt from paying for filing fees or biometric services. Individuals may still request a fee waiver if their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or they demonstrate financial hardship.
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative of all completions | 85.30% | 2245 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 4 |
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that petitioners can now complete and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, online. Online filing allows aliens to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case, and receive notices from USCIS.
Fee Increase Consistent with the Consumer Price Index
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2019
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced beginning on Dec. 2, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions.
I want to share with you our unbelievable story how we got our interim EAD at Bloomington INS office in Minneapolis, MN
1. We have our EAD renewal pending at VSC since 9/18 and the current one is going to expire end of this month.
2. Our application for EAD renewal was delayed by major distractions, circumstances and poor planning.
3. We had no chance of getting the EAD renewal before the current one expires and we were in difficult situation of loosing the jobs if we dont hv EAD (it is a different story that I save it for another day).
I-765 filed online 09/10/03 (Basis I485 filed on Sep'02 and approved I-140 on Dec'02) Went to BOSTON USCIS office on Dec 9th, 2003 (91st day)Current EAD expires on 12/10/03 (working on EAD)
Timeline:
6:00AM: Arrived and found there are around 20 people ahead of me.
7:00am: Entered building and told that I am there are EAD extension. I was asked for I-765 notice (it is exactly 91st day after filing)and asked me to fill a new I-765 form and got a "E" number.
Wanted to share my experience about issuance of interim EAD at Dallas office. I had filed EB-2 NIW petition and I485/765 concurrently in June. Since I did not hear from USCIS, went to Dallas office on Nov 20 at 8 am; got our number ticket by 9am; hwent in and sat down. The nos dont really go in order, but we got called about 12.45; the officer just wanted receipt notices of I485 and I 765; she called TSC to confirm pendency of the applications and then came back and said she will issue 8 month interim EAD's for my wife and me.