Guestbook Entry for MANOJ K. SHUKLA, United States
Name
MANOJ K. SHUKLA
Country
United States
State
MS
Search
Interim EAD experience at Detroit
I am currently in the last stage of getting my employment based Green Card (My I-485 has been filed for). I received an EAD valid for a year. I filed for an extension of the EAD some 120 days or so prior to its expiry. USCIS sent in a RFE (Request For Evidence) some 80 days after my filing. I sent in the requested evidence within 10 days of the RFE. When my current EAD expired, I went to the Detroit USCIS office to get an interim EAD. After waiting for over 3 hours, the USCIS rep. took less than 10 minutes to review all my documents and refused to issue me an interim EAD.
Interim EAD at Omaha, NE
I reached the office at 7.30 am on 12/11 (91st day after RD on I-765 notice) and found that I was the only one out there. Since it was 8 deg in the morning, this didnt come as a surprise to me 
The office opened at 8 and I was given a token when I entered. I was called in about 20 minutes.
I took the following documents with me:
1. Copy of I-765 notice
2. Copy of I-485 notice
3. Filled out new I-765 form
DOL Releases H-2B Entertainer FAQs
The Department has released FAQs for H-2Bs in the entertainment industry.
Updated List of SEVP Approved Schools (Updated 6/30/09)
ICE updated its list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools on 29th June 2009.
Visa Bulletin August 2009
Number 11
Volume XI
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Green Card
"Proving Existence of a Job for H-1 B" published by "The Practical Lawyer", American Law Institute, American Bar Association Publication
Please see the attached article, "Proving Existence of a Job for H-1 B" authored by Rajiv and published by American Law Institute- American Bar Association, October 2009 issue of "The Practical Lawyer".
Profession/Occupation
Immigration Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their Families
USCIS offers immigration services and resources specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families who are stationed in the United States and abroad.
H-1 Quota Count as of 10 July 2009
As ofJuly 10, 2009, approximately 44,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.
Guestbook Entry for Anatoly, United States
Name
Anatoly
Country
United States
State
California
H-1 Approvals Without Letter from the End-Client
We have been retained by several consulting companies to try to respond to their RFE's all of which require a letter from the end-client. Many times, despite best efforts, such letters are not available. So, as a test case, we filed an Request For Evidence is a a request from a government agency to provide further information on an issue before the government.
Nonimmigrant Visas
USCIS Announces 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Nationals of Somalia
USCIS announced that the Department of Homeland Security will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia from its current expiration date of Sept. 17, 2009 through March 17, 2011.
USCIS Announces Resumption of Premium Processing for R-1 Nonimmigrant Visa
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, effective today, it will resume Premium Processing Service for nonimmigrant religious worker petitions filed by certain R-1 petitioners. Only those petitioners who have successfully passed an on-site inspection are eligible to file under Premium Processing Service.
Administrative Appeals Office(AAO) Processing Times
Administrative Appeals Office is an office within USCIS that decides appeals from denials of various petitions by USCIS such as H-1, L-1, I-140 etc.
H-1 Quota Count as of 24 July 2009
As ofJuly 24, 2009, approximately 44,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Start SENTRI Program at San Luis Port of Entry
Travelers wanting to participate in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s trusted traveler program in the San Luis area will soon have the opportunity to participate in the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection program.
CBP will open a local enrollment center in the fall of 2009, followed by dedicated commuter lanes at the San Luis port of entry in late 2009. Travelers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to apply early for the new program by visiting the SENTRI Web site.
Proposal on H-1B Visa and Green Card Fee Hike
As stated by "Indian Express" :
A proposal that will hit Indian IT companies the most, US software giant Microsoft Corporation has suggested a whopping fee of USD 10,000 (over Rs 5 lakh) for a new category of H-1B visas and USD 15,000 (more than Rs 7.5 lakh) for permanent residency or Green card.
This could raise a huge USD5 billion over a decade, it said.
USCIS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Next week, the Department of Homeland Security will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing this decision.
The Federal Register notice will provide additional guidance on:
DOL Issues Prevailing Wage Update for H-2B
The Department, in anticipation of the enactment of H.J.Res 117, which prohibits the Department from expending funds to implement the 2011 H-2B Wage Rule for the duration of that Continuing Resolution, will publish in the Federal Register a Final Rule extending the effective date of the 2011 Wage Rule to March 27, 2013.The Final Rule is posted on the Federal Register's web site September 28, 2012 and it is accessible here.
DOL Releases FY 2012 Selected Statistics by Program
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has posted updated program factsheets containing the FY 2012 selected statistics for the:
My interview and oath experience. (Same day - Thursday)
Myself and my husband had our interview yesterday in Atlanta USCIS office (2nd floor). Appointment for both of us was at 9:45 am. We were there about 30 mins early and submitted our interview letters at the counter and waited. The waiting area was crowded.
Interview
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USCIS Announces Workload Transfer From Service Centers To Field Operations
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*USCIS wants to notify customers and stakeholders that some work that USCIS performs at the four USCIS service centers (Vermont, Nebraska, Texas and California) will be transferred to a Field Office or the National Benefits Center (NBC) in order to balance the overall workload with processing capacity. The chart below summarizes these changes.