Visa Bulletin - January 2015
Number 76
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
Number 76
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the statutory maximum of 10,000 petitions for U-1 nonimmigrant status (U visas) for fiscal year 2015. This marks the sixth straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U visas in 2008.
USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, has added the Czech Republic, Denmark, Madagascar, Portugal, and Sweden to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs for the coming year. The notice listing the 68 eligible countries published on Dec. 16, 2014 in the Federal Register.
My wife and I petitioned to adjust her status and shortly before our travel date we received an advance parole document in the wrong name. Rajiv graciously assisted us in handling the situation so we can travel to Korea for a wedding ceremony since her family did not attend our American ceremony. As an attorney myself, I knew the importance of finding someone with experience who can help guide his client -- Rajiv Khanna is very much such an attorney. I wish I had retained him earlier in the process.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today launched the Border Wait Time app making it easier for travelers to plan their trip across the border. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status at land ports of entry allowing travelers to make an informed decision of where and when to cross the border. Wait times for pedestrian and passenger and commercial vehicle crossings are broken down by lane type (standard, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, etc.). Travelers can download the app for free from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing an email address for state juvenile courts and child welfare agencies to submit general questions about the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. You can also submit requests for a USCIS representative to talk to your organization about the program. The address is: USCIS-IGAOutreach@uscis.dhs.gov.
We discussed: Working concurrently with H-1 cap exempt and quota employers, immigration issues if we have a special needs (cerebral palsy) child, applied B-2 to main status while F-1 is expiring, Section 245(k) and illegal work, DETAILED DISCUSSION OF I-140 REVOCATION IMPLICATIONS INCLUDING AC21, impact on H-1 of reentry on advance parole, Section 13 green card for diplomats, who can co-sponsor affidavit of support I-864, proving cross chargeability, transfer of priority dates for a future job approval
The Department has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for each state, based on the Farm Labor Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The AEWRs are the minimum hourly wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment for a particular agricultural job and area, so that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected.
Pursuant to REAL ID regulations, beginning December 1, 2014, federal agencies may not accept State-issued driver's licenses or identification cards for official purposes from individuals born after December 1, 1964, unless the license or card is REAL ID-compliant and was issued by a compliant State as determined by DHS.
Please click on the link for the updated PERM Processing Times.
I hit a major block! My interview went with no problems until the very end, when the officer said that my old A-file was missing, and no decision can be made until it's found. I'm heartbroken.Interview:
My Wife and I received our GC approvals within 34 months for the whole process with the grate Rajiv Khanna team. The team so responsive and dedicated in their work. Especially I have to Thank you Rajiv Khanna for his fighting efforts to stream line the Green Processing to all the immigration community. He is a great man!. We are really glad that we chose this Law firm.We are thankful to Rajiv and his staff.
Can you let me know when we can start filing H-1B cases again for this year?
If the beneficiary is not subject to the quota, you can file an H-1B for them at any time. If the beneficiary is subject to the quota, the new H-1B cannot be submitted to USCIS before April 1, 2014, with an effective date of October 1, 2014. We will start working on next year’s quota cases in January 2014.
How long will it take to get a receipt notice for my H-1B petition that was not filed with premium processing?
According to USCIS, "Usually, customers can expect to receive their receipt notice within 30 days of delivery confirmation. However, due to an unexpectedly high volume of I-129 petitions, it may be an additional two to four weeks before customers receive a receipt notice."
Can I send a scan of the forms? Can I use an electronic signature?
Forms need to be signed by hand in ink, and the original signed documents submitted to USCIS by mail or courier.
This week I went for my oath ceremony and I am now officially a US Citizen.
The process was very smooth overall.
My only beef is that for the interview I had to go to Holtsville and for the oath I had to go to Central Islip. I live in Queens and I don't drive so getting to those places was a major issue.
Here's my N400 timetable:
Queens/NY
5 years rule
So I just had my interview at federal plaza in NYC. Interview was at 11 got there around 1015. Took 15 mins for security got up stairs around 1030, and waited until 1105 till they called my name. The IO wasn't mean but neither was she friendly, I guess she just wanted to get it over with. When we got into the office she asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then she asked for passport and green card. We went over the application and then she asked me to read "WHO CAN VOTE" and write "CITIZENS CAN VOTE"
She then asked me 7 questions because I got one wrong.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2013)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 32989-32990] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-13065] [[Page 32989]]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 42 [Public Notice 8345] RIN 1400-AC86 Visas: Documentation of Immigrants under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule.
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Month | Year |
Please check the attachment to read USCIS Policy Memo.
USCIS is reopening the FY 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program funding opportunity announcement (DHS-13-CIS-010-002). Applications may be filed through Grants.gov from June 3, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at 11:59:59 PM EDT. USCIS learned after the close of the original application period on May 22, 2013 that Grants.gov rejected a significant percentage of applications to this funding opportunity. Given those rejections, USCIS is reopening this opportunity for a brief period to allow potential applicants to resubmit an application.
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Mr. Rajiv S. Khanna and his team for the professional and through work they have done for our company regarding immigration issues in the USA.
The team has ensured that all needed details were collected in a pleasant and orderly manner; and have produced an organized and coherent document.
I appreciate your attention to detail and relentless determination to convey quality service on time.
The extra time and effort you put in didn’t go unnoticed, We will certainly send any future queries requiring immigration issues to your office.
It is a true pleasure for me to work with such dedicated colleagues.
Warm Regards,
Efi Haber Naor
Efi Haber ● VP HR and Infrastructure
Mobile +972-54-2555530 ● Tel +972-3-7679015 ● Main +972-3-7679000 ● Email efih@medinol.com
Kiryat Atidim, Building 8, 35th floor, Tel Aviv 6158101, Israel ● www.medinol.com
8 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054