In tomorrow's community conference call, one of the community members has raised the issue whether receiving certain kinds of State benefits becomes an issue for immigration. The concern is well-founded in that receiving public (Federal or State) means tested (that depend upon the amount of income/expense) can lead to a determination that an applicant can become dependent upon government resources ("public charge").
FAQ 1. I am presently in Canada on a work permit and want to apply for H-4 EAD. My husband has a valid H-1 and an approved green card application . So we are eligible for applying. My question is that can I visit US for 2-3 days, mail my application and then leave the country? Do I need to be in the US when the USICS receives my application? Or I can immediately leave after mailing the application? <p>
FAQ 2. My spouse's PERM approved & his employer is still gathering required documents to file I-140. It is still within 180 days limit. Can I apply for H-4 EAD with my spouse approved PERM copy and other documents required ( eligible under beyond 6 years extension of H-1 & PERM pending 365 days) ? Or do I have to wait until his I-140 filed ?
Answer 1: Unless you are already on H-4, you cannot leave while the change of status request is pending.
Answer 2: I think you will need the I-140 APPROVAL, not just receipt (or 7+ year H-1 extension).
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks. As a result, eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Heather Riddick and Rajiv handled my Green card process as well as my Wife's H4 EAD. Both Green card(So far I-140 is approved) and H4 EAD process(My wife has already received the approval) went fine and were approved. I feel their strength is proper planning and co-ordination with the client. Heather Riddick over sees all the details and verify the documents needed for the process every now and then before we file so no document is missed. Thank you Heather Riddick for all your effort. It is a great pleasure working with you. Your quick response all of my emails clarifications were one of the reasons for the success. Keep up the good work.
Rajiv on the other hand keeps team up-do-date with all current topics of immigration and that helps his entire team to stay on top of all issues. e..g is my wife's H4 EAD. USCIS had changed the I-765 form one day before filing and Heather was very proactive in downloading and filling the forms, send it out to clients to get their signatures. Even with the last minute change from USCIS she could file H4 EAD on time. Kudos for that. I would definitely recommend Rajiv and team for immigration work of any kind. Every dollar you spend as legal fee is worth.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the initial registration deadline for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from May 20, 2015, to Aug.
Below are questions I have on the H-1B Amendment and H-1B transfer being filed almost at the same time with little gap with USCIS for the same person. The H-1B Amendment is in light of the new H-1B regulation that has been mandated by USCIS when there is a significant change in the Job Location of the beneficiary from the address mentioned in the initial Petition from the employer which was approved initially.<p>
1. Does the USCIS Last action rule apply in case of the below 2 being applied almost at the same time for the same beneficiary?<br>
a) H-1B Amendment with Current Employer<br>
b) H-1B Transfer to New employer while H1B Amendment is pending with Current Employer.<br>
2. If the answer for the above is 'Yes', then incase the H-1B Amendment Approval comes after the H-1B Transfer would the H-1B transfer to the new employer that was approved earlier be automatically nullified?<br>
3. If the answer for #2 above is 'Yes' Is there any way to request USCIS to consider the H-1B Transfer approval to new employer as the primary incase that get approved earlier and avoid the H-1B amendment to dictate the latest H-1B for a given employer? (I believe we can request USCIS to withdraw/cancel the Amendment but is this something that the new employer/employee can do or only the existing employer who was filed for H-1B amendment has the authority to request any cancellation/withdrawal of the H-1B amendment?)<br>
4. Also does the current suspension of H-1B premium processing apply even for the H-1B transfers (with a new extension for 3 Years) or is it only for new H-1B extensions of Petitions from the current employer?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
I am currently on EB-3. I have a company (say Company A) which is willing to file for my GC in EB-2 under 'Future Employment'. Do I or the 'company A' need to be aware of something on this front?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
The H-1 quota cuts down 50% or more applications each year.
How does a traveler revalidate a visa without their I-94?
The I-94 admission record is created electronically and maintained in CBP systems. CBP will verify the I-94 electronically to re-validate an expired visa if the traveler meets the conditions of automatic revalidation. In order to demonstrate eligibility for automatic revalidation, a traveler may be required to present a copy of the website printout to the air or sea carrier prior to boarding. If entry occurred prior to automation, a paper form must be presented in order to comply with validation requirements.
WASHINGTON - Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has redesignated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended the existing TPS designation for the country from April 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.
The link below shows the changes that have been made to the Indian Reciprocity Tables since the last publication.
1. How does the National Visa Center fit into the U.S. immigration process?
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2. USCIS sent my immigrant visa petition to the NVC. Now what happens?<br>
3. How do I know if my priority date meets the most recent cut-off date? What does that mean?
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4. How do I know what my priority date is?
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5. How Do I Contact the NVC?
1. After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your immigrant visa petition, USCIS forwards your petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth, NH for immigrant visa pre-processing at the correct time. Immediate relative categories do not have yearly numerical limits. However, family preference and employment based immigrant categories have numerical limits each year; therefore, lengthy wait times are involved for processing to begin.
I had a brief a phone appointment with Mr. Khanna this morning. He was very friendly, understanding, and patient about hearing my situation regarding permanent residency. I found his advice to be excellent. Also, I found his team to be very responsive, efficient, and thoroughly professional.
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WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State have launched the next stage of an aggressive campaign to make clear the national security, border security, and public safety priorities that are now in effect, and to clarify the criteria for filing requests for deferred action under the Executive Actions recently announced by President Obama.
Very professional and crisp messaging. Thank you for your advice and consult.
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, effective March 10, 2015, through
<b>From our community member </b><p>
<b>Here is my Situation.</b><p>
I used to work for Employer "A" who filed for my EB3 Labor and I-140. I-140 was approved in Feb 2007. In July 2007, when the dates became current, I filed for my I-485. In December ending of 2007, which was around 180 days after filing the I-485, Company "A" was acquired by Company "B", at that time I got an email from my employer HR indicating that Company "B" will now take over all immigration responsibilities of "A" and no H1 transfers or re-filing of I-140 is required. I was also assured that since my I-485 was pending for 180 days and i had EAD and 6 pay slips / one per each month from company "A" , there should not be
any issues, since AC21 can be applied too, in this case. So I continued to work for Company "B" for about 1 year from Jan 2008 to Jan 2009. I received pay checks from "B" during this period.
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In Feb 2009 I joined a direct client, Company "C" on H1B. Got the H1B approval beyond 6 years, using company "A" I-140 approval copy. Company "C" Attorney sent AC-21 documents to USCIS. Company "C" does not file labor or I-140 they do only H1B or hire on EADs but does not do green cards. Now, after more than 7 years of I-140 Approval from Company "A", I came to know that USCIS, has revoked the I-140 of a different employee who was in the similar situation as me, but he didn't had H1B and he was forced to leave USA since his I-485, EAD and Advance Parole were all based on this I-140. It seems USCIS said the underlying Labor and I-140 were fraud. Hence everything is denied. He did leave the country.
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<b>My Question : </b>
What are my Options if something like this occurs for my case too? I understand its hard to tell if this will occur or not. Company "A" which filed my I-140 no longer exists and I have no contact what so ever with Company "B". If I-140 gets revoked for fraud by the company "A", will the employee be held responsible? Can this kind of adverse decision be appealed and during appeal process what happens to the status.
Are we allowed to stay and work in the country when this case is in progress? I was reading online about the "The case, Kurapati vs USCIS”, this lawsuit is similar in nature. Is there a ray of hope with this? <p>You’re Suggestions/Comments please.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S.
I am a US Permanent Resident from Nepal. My girlfriend (soon to be wife) is a student doing her MBA and is in F-1 visa (student). She is graduating in May 2015 and will start her OPT soon after that.
We are planning to get court married real soon (within a month) and file for her green card soon after that. Once she gets her green card, we'll go home and get married with all the religious ceremonies. <p>
I had few questions about the green card process for my wife. I looked through various threads of various forums and I am more confused than before on how exactly this process works. I got conflicting answers for these questions. So, I am posting these questions so that I could get the correct answers from the expect himself.
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I understand that for my wife's GC, first I need to petition I-130 and she needs to wait until her priority date becomes current (which the people say can take several years to be current), then she needs to apply for Adjustment of Status. <p>
1. Could you go briefly on the whole process from start to finish? <br>
2. Some of the threads on the other forums said that the Congress changed the law so that there is no wait time for Spouse of Permanent Resident to apply for her green card. How much truth is in this statement? <br>
3. Some people who applied about a year or two ago said that they got their GC on hand within 6 months. How is that even possible when the wait time to just apply for GC under this category is several years? <br>
4. What happens if she applies before her priority date becomes current? Will her application be denied or will it just sit in a queue (first come first serve) until the priority date becomes current and then it will get processed? <br>
5. If she starts her OPT in May 2015 and the OPT lasts for 1 year (till May 2016), would that be enough time for her to apply for GC through my petition?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvnIAm0nQJ8#t=99
FAQ Transcript
Need your esteemed advice for my mother (75 years old, sick and disabled). We are only two sons and our father passed away last year. We have nobody back in Pakistan who can keep her and look after her. My brother lives in UK. I am living and working in USA (on EB-2 green card). My mother had been refused UK visa twice as she has no sufficient family ties to home country (Pakistan). I received my green card in April 2011 therefore I have some time still remaining to apply for my US Citizenship (January 2016) and then sponsor her. <p>
My mother B-1/B-2 visa is expiring in August 2015 and keeping in view her long frequent trips to US (she always departed before I-94 expiry, no overstays) and insufficient family ties to home country (Pakistan) her B-1/B-2 re-stamping seems very hard.
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Can you please advice what can be done here? What are the options to keep her with us in US?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
Mr.Rajiv Khanna's office was very helpful in every stage of our application process and they are thoroughly knowledgeable. I am extremely satisfied with their services. Thanks Mr.Rajiv!