USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
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Community Conference Call, April 29, 2021. Presented by: Rajiv S. Khanna (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
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Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
Travel from India to USA Banned
6 May 2021
As of today, there are no updates from the government beyond what was on the US Consulate website
On 30 April 2021, President Biden placed a restriction on travel to the US.
Curricular Practical Training CPT
H-1B and CPT
Change of Status
The term Change of Status (COS) is the name given to the process through which a person can change from one temporary status (nonimmigrant) to another temporary status without having to leave the United States. Typical examples of this process are changing from a student visa status to H-1B. Usually, a successful COS is evidenced by the USCIS issuing you a new I-94.
Changing status from a temporary visa to a green card within the United States is also a change of status, but it is technically referred to as Adjustment of Status (AOS).
Visa Services Update
Visa Services Operating Status Update from DOS
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online
Release Date
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
After I get my green card, is it legal to work for two companies (and not the original company) simultaneously?
Question details
I got my GC on March of 2016 through my then employer. Soon after getting my GC my project ended (May 2016) abruptly because of the change at client location. I did not had any project at hand so I started looking for a new job and started to work with new employer in June of 2016. There was no official end date of my employment with my previous employer through which I got my GC because they were looking for a new project for me but without any certainty how long it could be before they can find me a new project. While they were looking for a project for me, I already started working for my new employer so I just moved on without any official end date with my previous employer.
In Feb of 2019, I started a second job with another employer. Currently, I'm working 2 jobs full time on GC.
I am now eligible to file for citizenship through 5 years of permanent residency requirement. I'm worried if there will be any issues while I file for my citizenship because I did not stay with the employer that file my GC long enough after receiving my GC. Also will there be any issues because I am currently working 2 full time jobs when I file for citizenship?
FAQ Transcript
I think it is fine, I personally don't see this as a problem and you will be able to file for citizenship. However, I would still want you to consult with a lawyer discuss your particular case understand the pros and cons.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
AC21 Job Portability
Question details
Previously I was on H1B when my I-140 was approved. Currently I am on H4 status, not employed and my priority date became current.
Previous employer has provided Supplement J and I have filed I-485, I-765, I-131 concurrently. The Supplement J indicates (#9 in Part 6) I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer.
Q1) Upon receiving AOS EAD, can I directly join a new employer after 180 days of pending I-485 if sponsoring employer doesn't have any open position?
Q2) Can I start searching for new job before 180 days of pending I-485, but join after 180 days? Or, I must have to start searching and interviewing for new job, only after 180 days?
Q3) At the time of filing AOS, my Supplement J indicated that I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer. If I join the sponsoring employer upon receiving EAD, then do I have to send USCIS new Supplement J indicating that I am now employed with the sponsoring employer, knowing that it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and I may not be employed with the sponsoring employer at the time of GC interview?
Q4) What if I need to change my employer after GC interview, but before receiving GC?
Q5) I heard, after 180 days of pending I-485, even if I change my job couple of times, I can take the Supplement J only from the employer with whom I will be working at the time of GC interview. But can I still send new Supplement J to USCIS from each employers everytime I change my job? Is that legally allowed? or, is there any concern? Because, it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and within that timeframe I might have to change job 2-3 times.
FAQ Transcript
1. In my opinion you can.
2. Absolutely.
3. I think you should file a Supplement J. It gives you added protection.
4. As of now there is nothing definite about changing jobs after the interview but before the green card approval. I would suspect if the job is same or similar keep some record of it otherwise you can do it. But have your lawyers follow up the procedures that exist when you actually do this.
5. Absolutely.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Guestbook Entry for Sanhe Hu, United States
Name
Sanhe Hu
Country
United States
State
VA
Apri, 15, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQS: H-1B revoked after 1 October, never used. Am I quota exempt? Travel while I-485 AOS is pending: returning on H-1B visa, AP, AVR etc.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Visa Bulletin For May 2021
Number 53
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May 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
Medicals for I-485
As I had said in our last community conference call, our office inquired. A USCIS officer advised not to submit medicals without an RFE. He said wait for the RFE or bring them to the interview.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions
Release Date
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
Guestbook Entry for Mark Kalmykov & Nataliy Yakovlev , United States
Name
Mark Kalmykov & Nataliy Yakovlev
Country
United States
State
CA and VA
Comment
My wife and I got the I-485 approval in March 2008. We filed the I-140 & I-485 in February 2006. The LC PERM was done by Rajiv’s law firm too. The I-140 was approved in 4 months without any issues.
Mostly I dealt with Prerna Mehta and Jitesh Malik. Both provide me excellent help and support during the process. Malik called me on my cell phone to answer my questions, and he was polite, fast and correct. Also, I praise Prerna for checking my documents and forms thoroughly and providing correction/feed back immediately.
My sincere thanks to you Mr. Khanna, for all the help and guidance that you gave us through out the application process. You were always ready to answer all my questions and I really appreciate all the help that you provided.
In future if I need any immigration help I would definitely go for Rajiv firm. If anybody has any help needed about immigration I would highly recommend Rajiv firm.
Guestbook Entry for MITESH V DESHPANDE , United States
Name
MITESH V DESHPANDE
Country
United States
State
IL
Comment
I would like to thank the law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna for doing an outstanding job to help me get Labor Certification.
Here is what happened:
-My case was filed in feb 2008 under EB2
-Audit was sent on the 4th of March'08
- Response to the Audit was sent on 2nd April'08
- Labor was certified on 8th April'08.
I would specially like to thank Seema And Sheena for doing an outstanding job in preparing the appilication and the audit response letter. They were very polite and responded to all my queries promptly.
Also would like to thank Pramita in helping me out in the initial stages of process.
Thanks to Rajiv and his team for doing a terrific job.
Prevailing Wage: Validity Period for H-2B prevailing wage determinations
On August 30, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Comitè de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agricolas (CATA) v. Solis, et al., Civil No. 2:09-cv-240-LP, 2010 WL 3431761 (E.D. Pa.) invalidated the Department's use of skill levels in establishing prevailing wages and the Department's reliance upon Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data in lieu of Davis Bacon Act and Service Contract Act rates.
DHS Fact Sheet on Naturalizations Trends between 1980 and 2008
DHS Office of Immigration Statistics provides updated information on the cumulative naturalization rates and the timing of naturalization through 2008 of immigrants who obtained legal permanent resident status from 1973 through 1999.
Please check the attached document for detail information.
State Department Briefing on 2012 Diversity Visa Lottery Program
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER BRIEFING WITH JOHN WILCOCK,
DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM OFFICER, BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS
TOPIC: 2012 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM & REGISTRATION
THE WASHINGTON FOREIGN PRESS CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2010, 1:00 P.M. EDT
DOS Issues Notice On Registration For Diversity Immigrant (DV-2012) Visa Program
[Federal Register: October 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 190)]
[Notices]
[Page 60846-60854]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc10-116]
---------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 7184]
Bureau of Consular Affairs; Registration for the Diversity Immigrant (DV-2012) Visa Program
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Notice.
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Guestbook Entry for Vishalkumar Patel, United States
Name
Vishalkumar Patel
Country
United States
State
North Dakota
Comment
"When I join Rajiv Khanna and speak to Amrita about green card process somehow i got feeling that I am in good hand for green card". It is really nice to work with Rajiv Khanna's Law Office and people who works there. Specially Amrita whom I am working with my green card process. She gives really good response, explanation on the phone and email and give enough time to discuss questions and issues that I have. She does conference with Rajiv Khanna when needed for discussion. I have got my PERM approved in this process. It is really nice experience while working with them. They go through case very deeply and discuss pros and cons with us so you get better picture. Thanks for all you do Vishalkumar Patel
E-Verify User Manual for Federal Contractors
USCIS released a user manual that provides guidance on E-Verify processes and outlines the rules and responsibilities for federal contractors.
Guestbook Entry for Anil Mathew, United States
Name
Anil Mathew
Country
United States
State
CA
Comment
I got the PERM application approved in 10/06/2010 and I applied on August 2nd week. It is really great to work with Rajiv Khanna & Mathew and they will guide us to the right way so that no mistakes are made in the complete process. I really feel that I am in good hands!
Positive: Professionalism. The lawyer assigned to my case is Vijay. He is a very responsible man and detailed oriented. It took us long time to prepare document which are required or not required but very supportive document for the case. We got approved for every single step with one shot. And finally got my green card. Thank you Vijay and Rajivs.