Discussion Topics, Thursday 19 October 2017:
FAQ: Pros and cons of adjustment of status and consular processing for green card || Applying for green card while holding H-4 status; applying for green card and permanent residence for another country simultaneously ||Changing status from tourist or business visa (B1 or B2) within the United States|| How to read the visa bulletin? || What type of questions can be asked in consular or adjustment of status interview for employment based applicants || Effect of a speeding ticket on green card or naturalization/citizenship || Effect of moving abroad while still on H-1B visa || Denial of H-1B on Level 1 wage issue || Doing business on H-4 EAD. Other: Family-based green card for an H-1B holder || Filing concurrent H-1B for family-owned business || Relationship between maintaining US permanent residence and expiration of green card || I-94 correction through the CBP || H-4 visa/status issues || H-1B laid off || H-4 EAD to H-1 || H-4 EAD issues, etc.
WASHINGTON — Under updated policy guidance (PDF, 97 KB), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DC
October 24, 2017
Based on Section 6(a) of Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” the U.S. government undertook a 120-day review of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to identify and implement additional security screening processes in order to uphold the safety of the American people.
As a result, the President has issued a new Executive Order that provides for the general resumption of the USRAP.
The following Immigration Policy Memorandum is now available in the Policy Memoranda section of the USCIS website:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that starting Monday, June 26, the agency will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers.
USCIS has updated the N-400 filing locations on the website's N-400 page under the Where to File section to correct an error. If you properly filed an application from June 12-23 to the locations that were previously listed on this page, the processing of your application will not be affected. See a list of the updated filing locations at uscis.gov/n-400.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders.
Release Date: June 26, 2017
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court today has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to largely implement the President's Executive Order and take rational and necessary steps to protect our nation from persons looking to enter and potentially do harm. The granting of a partial stay of the circuit injunctions with regard to many aliens abroad restores to the Executive Branch crucial and long-held constitutional authority to defend our national borders.
The USCIS Policy Manual has been updated regarding administrative naturalization ceremonies and participation from other U.S. government and non-governmental entities. This update is effective on June 28, 2017.
The Policy Alert is available here:
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
On June 26, 2017, the United States Supreme Court issued an order agreeing to hear the Administration’s appeals of the two adverse 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.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate the 241st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the nation’s birthday, by welcoming nearly 15,000 new U.S. citizens during more than 65 Independence Day-themed naturalization ceremonies across the country this year.
USCIS generally process cases in the order they receive them. The link below provides you an estimate of how much time the office handling your case currently takes to process your type of application, petition, or request.
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2017
WASHINGTON – Based on a new information-sharing partnership between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), foreign nationals in certain categories or classifications can now apply for work authorization and a social security number using a single form – the updated Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):Update to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization10/02/2017 12:00 AM EDTNew edition dated 07/17/17. Starting 12/04/2017, USCIS will only accept the 07/17/17 edition.
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2017
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa extension of stay petitions. Premium processing is now available for all types of H-1B petitions.
Discussion Topics, Thursday 5 October 2017: FAQ: Current immigration/visa options for entrepreneurs || Immigration consequences of a denial of entry at the airport || Status of H-4 EAD litigation/suit ||
Other: Status change while another application is pending (H-1, H-4) || RFE issued AFTER H-1 approval || I-485 Advance Parole staying in the USA after I-94 expiration || Change in job titles effect on green card and H-1 || VAWA for H-4 || Responding to level 1 wage on H-1 RFE || Timing etc. of green card application while H-1 is still in process || Citizenship, effect of non filing of taxes ||Applying for green card for step daughter || I-140 approval uncertain || Effect on H-4 EAD when H-1 loses job || H-4 EAD rule litigation || I-94 approval duration discrepancy || Time lines in green card || Level 1 wage issues
USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as hurricanes.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
The Trump Administration is ready to work with Congress to achieve three immigration policy objectives to ensure safe and lawful admissions; defend the safety and security of our country; and protect American workers and taxpayers.
Please check attached document for the executive summary.