Rajiv's Comments in the News
Date |
Newspaper |
Article Title |
|
Feb 08, 2020 |
Search
USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485
Release Date
06/02/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a pilot program for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
04/23/2021 09:49 AM EDT
You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services
Release Date
06/09/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve request for evidence (RFE) and notice of intent to deny (NOID) guidance; and increase the validity period for initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Visa or extension applications will not be denied outright, under new USCIS policy
Published by: The Times of India - Date: June 10, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
USCIS Announces Lockbox Filing Flexibilities
Release Date
06/10/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will offer filing flexibilities to provide relief to certain applicants and petitioners impacted by delays at a USCIS lockbox. These flexibilities only apply to benefit requests submitted to a USCIS lockbox and not to USCIS service centers or field offices.
The following temporary flexibilities are effective for 60 days from June 10 until Aug. 9, 2021:
Community Conference Call, June 10, 2021. Presented by: Rajiv S. Khanna (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 10, 2021:
Rajiv's Comments in the News - First bi-annual agenda of Biden admin scraps proposed move of fixed visa tenure for international students
Published by: The Times of India - Date: June 12, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S Khanna, Arlington based Immigration Attorney had then explained to TOI that this would cause problems for international students. A four-year cap is definitely shorter than a PhD or even a bachelor’s degree course because students can opt for an extra semester.
For more details please see the attachment below.
USCIS Issues Policy Providing Further Protections for Victims of Crime
The policy update will help provide stability to U Visa Petitioners supporting law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes
Vermont Service Center Address Change
Release Date
06/14/2021
Effective June 14, 2021, the Vermont Service Center will no longer receive any incoming mail at the St. Albans, VT facility, which is being decommissioned.
Mail sent to the previous addresses will be forwarded for one year, but any mail sent to the previous addresses after June 2022 may be returned to the sender by the United States Postal Service or the courier service used.
Please refer to the chart below for the updated addresses.
|
|
Previous Address |
|---|
Guestbook Entry for Krishna P Nunna, United States
Name
Krishna P Nunna
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Business or Employment Related Travel to the USA During Ban - National Interest Exception NIE
The travel bans necessitated by the COVID pandemic have created much flux and uncertainty. Synthesizing the information now finally available from various US government sources, it is clearer now that many intending travelers can seek and obtain an exemption from the ban under a series of provisions for a National Interest Exception (NIE).
Do you Qualify for an NIE?
Visa Bulletin For July 2021
Number 55
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July 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
Guestbook Entry for Akash Sahoo, United States
Name
Akash Sahoo
Country
United States
State
CA
USCIS Will Allow Resubmission of Certain FY 2021 H-1B Petitions Rejected or Closed Due to Start Date
Release Date
06/23/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it will accept resubmitted fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were rejected or administratively closed solely because the requested start date was after Oct. 1, 2020.
24 June 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 24, 2021:
FAQ: Consequences of B-1/B-2 Visa Extension applied and leaving the USA || Changing Multiple Jobs While AOS I-485 is Pending - Consequences || I-129 Nunc Pro Tunc Request
F-1 Student Traveling Through Mexico to Avoid The India Travel Ban
Please find below my experience traveling on F-1 as a student from India to the US under covid-related travel restrictions.
Rajiv's Article - Business or employment related travel to the USA during ban
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: June 29, 2021
Synopsis
Bear in mind that the travel ban requirements and exceptions are likely to keep changing based upon the state of the pandemic. Thus, before traveling, it would be prudent to check the latest developments on the consular websites.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Rajiv's Article - Can student visa holders apply for a Green Card?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: June 30, 2021
Synopsis
A green card is considered to have been filed usually when an application for an immigrant visa (Form I-140) is filed with the USCIS. The majority of the green cards require preclearance from the US Department of Labor, referred to as labor certification or PERM petition.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
My interim EAD experience
Hi,
I want to share my interim EAD experience. I went to the local office on July 6 in Arlington,VA.
Well, I arrived at INS @ 7:15AM. There were like 250 to 300 people before me. By the time I got my EAD card it was 4:30PM. There is only one person that was helping issues related to work permits. Part of the reason for the delay was they closed early on july 2.
Anyways, be prepared to take day off (for those who are already occupied during the day) when you plan to go for your interim EAD.
Had our EADs done in a day
State
Texas
Had our EADs done in a day too.My wife had a job offer confirmed but did not have an EAD on the day she received her offer letter.Since we had passed the wait period to qualify for an interim EAD we went on a expedition to the BCIS office at 5am and were among the 20's in the line.Got it done in less than a hour and drove to the nearby office for Photo.Had to wait for the office to open the counters and were one among the first few to get it done.Everything was done by 10.30am and my wife got her job too
Interim EAD Issuance at Milwaukee
State
Wisconsin
They say about 30 days, but my wife got the letter in 2 weeks. Once she has this letter, it was pretty easy for her to get that interim EAD. They generally dont listen to you...unless you follow their procedures.
Newark office Experience
1. Got in line at 4:15AM. 8 people in front of me.
2. At 7:30AM, they started taking folks with appointments.
3. At 8:00AM, they started taking walk-ins.
4. After security check, sent to the 3rd floor.
5. Told that computers for the ticket system are down, only I90 applicants can be processed.
6. Started giving out numbers manually. Mine was E0002. I176 receipt was taken.
7. Was sent to the EAD section across the big room.
8. Asked to fill I765 application. I brought one from home.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Made an appointment with Tampa USCIS
State
FL
I applied for an EAD in April 2004 along with an I-485 etc. The EAD was applied for through e-file.
I heard nothing for 90 days, then made an appointment with Tampa USCIS.
I arrived and was told that as I e-filed the EAD application before I received my I-485 notice of action (but after I sent the I-485 pack) that my EAD COULD be denied. I was told that they couldn't issue an interim EAD and that I'd need to apply again. She then laughed at me and I was asked to leave for no reason.