Guestbook Entry for Guneet Kohli, United States
Name
Guneet Kohli
Country
United States
State
NJ
Search
Visa Bulletin For August 2021
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.
For more on the visa bulletin click the link below:
Can Student Visa Holders Apply for a Green Card?
This article was submitted to and published in The Economic Times.
Link to Rajiv's Author Page in The Economic Times.
............................................................................................................................................................
08 July 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, July 08, 2021:
FAQ: I-140 Employment Authorization (EAD) in Compelling Circumstances || Criminal Charges in Immigration - Domestic Violence Laws and Risk in Applying for I-485
Visa Bulletin For August 2021
Number 56
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
Applicants for Change of Status to F-1 Student No Longer Need to Submit Subsequent Applications to ‘Bridge the Gap’
Release Date
07/20/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 COS application is pending.
F-1 students no longer need to file bridge petitions - USCIS policy change on COS
07/20/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 COS application is pending.
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Form I-140 When Requesting Premium Processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has expanded a previously announced pilot program at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for certain applicants applying for premium processing.
Filing Location Updates for Certain Forms I-131
On July 22, USCIS adjusted the addresses for certain applicants filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. USCIS has not changed any filing locations but have refined attention lines and ZIP codes to improve internal processes at the lockboxes. This address update affects:
22 July 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, July 22, 2021:
F-1 OPT and STEM OPT students obtain settlement in Li v USCIS case
The following settlement was reached in Li v. USCIS in favor of the OPT and STEM OPT applicant students suffering from delays and rejections:
USCIS Conducts Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted FY 2022 H-1B Cap Registrations
In March 2021, USCIS conducted an initial random selection on properly submitted electronic registrations for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap, including for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Per regulation, USCIS uses historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors to calculate the number of registrations needed to meet the H-1B cap for a given fiscal year.
Interim EAD Issuance at Los Angeles
I reached there around 4:30am. People were already lined up. First you have to get the form from one line and then wait in another line. Around 6:30am they asked people who are there for EAD to form another shorter line. I got the token and my no. was called around 8:30am. The required documents are :
1. I-485 receipt
2. I-765 receipt
3.information about any previous I-765, like receipt date
4. previous EAD Plastic card
5.California driver license and Passport for identification.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Went to Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card
I went to the Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card. This office no longer accepts walk ins as of two days ago. People can either make an appointment with the office on the web from home, or on site. The waiting time is approximately two weeks for an appointment. This is for any type of immmigration case.
Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD
"96 days after submitting the EAD application, Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD. Evidentially an appointment card had been mailed that same day.The appointment was set for 10 days later. Including 2 months wasted trying to get the initial appointment to submit the EAD application, it took 5.5 months to get this EAD renewal. The real tragedy was the loss a job and residual loss of income which lasted months. We will start this process again 6 months before this EAD expires. Hmm...that's pretty soon".
USCIS Response to Preliminary Injunction of Fee Rule
Release Date 09/30/2020
WASHINGTON-U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director of Policy Joseph Edlow issued the following statement in response to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining fee increases for citizenship and other immigration benefits.
Rajiv's News Clips - US to allow faster processing for certain categories of visas and green card - The Economic Times
Published by : The Economic Times - Date: October 01, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
“While the inclusions are welcome, the guarantee is not for a final approval or denial but their decision making the first time around,” said Rajiv S Khanna, managing attorney at immigration.com. “They often send back a request for evidence and after we respond, they have another 30 days to respond,” he said.
DHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Affidavit of Support Process
Release Date 10/01/2020
Proposal enforces long-standing law and protects American taxpayers
USCIS 2020 Fee Rule Preliminary Injunction
On Sept. 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Immigration Legal Resource Center et al., v. Wolf, et al., 20-cv-05883-JWS, preliminarily enjoined DHS from implementing or enforcing any part of the USCIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements rule.
While the rule is preliminarily enjoined, USCIS will continue to:
Rajiv's News Clips - US court blocks Trump ban on H-1B, L-1 visas - The Economic Times
Published by : The Economic Times - Date: October 02, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
“The reasoning behind the preliminary injunction is sound. The court found that the President was trying to change immigration law from the White House, over obeying the law as it is written by the legislature,” said Rajiv S Khanna, managing attorney at immigration.com.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance Regarding Inadmissibility Based on Membership in a Totalitarian Party
Release Date 10/02/2020
On Oct. 2, USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address inadmissibility based on membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party. Membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party is inconsistent and incompatible with the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, which includes pledging to “support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States.”
October 1, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs: Green card and other options for parents of US citizens || H-1B converting to H-4 and back to H-1B issues and options || H-1B and compelling circumstances EAD || How many years can I wait to file I-485 after priority date becomes current
OTHER: Two green cards processed simultaneously || Cap exempt H-1B || Impact of pay cut on H-1B and green card || Impact on priority of withdrawn I-140 || Travel to the USA during Covid-19 times || I-944 || School fee reimbursement from employer || Filing extension and change of status at the same time, etc.
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance Regarding Temporary Protected Status and Eligibility for Adjustment of Status
Release Date 10/06/2020
USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual clarifying whether temporary protected status (TPS) beneficiaries are eligible for adjustment of status under section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). INA 245(a) requires an alien to have been inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States, unless exempt from this requirement.
Rajiv's Article - View: Trump’s Immigration - Destruction, not disruption - The Economic Times
Published by : The Economic Times - Date: October 14, 2020
By Rajiv Khanna