USCIS Redesigns Naturalization Certificate to Enhance Security
More than 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year |
More than 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year |
My PERM application just got denied due to the recent layoff in my company. Can I apply EB2 (schedule A) to bypass the labor certification step? Will the recent PERM denial affect the Schedule A application? Is it ok to submit the schedule A application soon or I have to wait for a certain time period?
If you are qualified, you can apply for Schedule A. I cannot think of any way the PERM denial or layoffs could cause any issues and there should be no waiting to file.
I have 3-year Bachelor's degree, Certified Software Architect, 15+ yrs experience(including current employer), 100K+ salary. Do I qualify for EB2 under Exceptional Ability/
Under EB-1, probably no. Under EB-2, unlikely, but have your lawyers review.
I am currently employed on a H1B visa ( 7th yr extension). My employer had applied for Labor back in Jan 2009 but it hasn’t yet been approved. my employer now intends to terminate my employment by the end of the year ( lay offs/ I could quit voluntarily ) Can they still file for a I-140 ( based on a future job offer)? I would like to maintain my priority date. Also can a prospective employer file for a H1B extension based on a pending/approved labor after I no longer work for the current firm?
Both things are possible as long as the I-140 is filed in good faith. I have doubts about the I-140 approval if the job ceases to exist even temporarily.
Can I apply for Social Security Number on basis of I -797. My license to work as a vet in State A in depended upon SSN. How long does it take to get a SSN. On what status will I stay until I get a SSN & a license & subsequently start my job.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced the launch of a redesigned Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) with new security features that will reduce fraud—part of USCIS’ ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration system. USCIS began using redesigned certificates at all offices today, and the agency anticipates that over 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year.
Purpose
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence because they may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.
I am in a situation where my current employer has filed PERM and as per the timelines there are high chances that it will be approved till January. And as per immigration team in the current company says it could take a week or two to file for I-140. I am going to pay for premium processing. But at the same time, I have accepted an offer from another company and the start date is 31st January. I am sure that I-140 would not get approved till then. Can I pay for premium processing, leave after they file the I-140 and before it gets approved? Will it go through?
PS: As per company's policies they don't revoke I-140 of the employees if they leave before 6 months.
Theoretically, an I-140 does not require you to be continued to be employed by the petitioning employer. You could leave after applying, but if there is an RFE, the employer would not be motivated to respond to it. As a practical matter, there is a second difficulty as well.
Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments and blog on immigration.com
I am on my H-1B and my wife is currently on her H-4. With the new bill does she still need to wait for my I-140 to be approved?
There is no new bill, just a policy clarification. And, yes, she will have to wait per the law.
Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments and blog on immigration.com
I would like to thank Rajiv, Mathew, and Suman for their work on my case.
My 485 was denied and I had only 15 days to respond back or else I would have lost my EAD too! I came to know about Rajiv from a friend and emailed him right away, the same evening I got the denial letter. Next morning, Rajiv called me personally and collected all the details from me. At that time, he wasn't even sure if he is going to take the case or not. My 485 was based on family and I had done all the paper work myself. I had my initial interview 2 years back (in 2006) where I was asked to provide my original birth certificate within next 90 days. That was the only thing needed for approving my 485. I had sent my hospital issued birth certificate shortly after that. Since then I never heard back from USCIS. After a few info-pass appointments, I got a denial letter in Feb 2008.
The USCIS procedure mandates to send a letter of "Intend to deny" if the evidence they ask for (birth certificate in my case) is not satisfactory. I never got the intention letter. Instead, I got the denial!
The case was complicated but Rajiv took the time to research how to proceed and finally he suggested we appeal via form 290B (Motion to Reopen/ Reconsider). Mathew and Suman promptly created all necessary paperwork. I managed to get the municipality issued Birth Certificate and we files the Motion to Reopen within 10 days of receiving the denial letter. USCIS took a little over a month and approved my motion.
Now I just have to wait for my 485 to get approved. I was very pleased to find Rajiv and his team. I wish them all the best in the endeavor to help thousands of people with USCIS.
Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna has provided excellent service in getting my I-140 approved (EB1-OR) within a few months.
I have dealt with other law firms before and I have no hesitation in reserving the highest praise for the supporting staff and attorney Rajiv Khanna. Mr. Khanna has been very straightforward, understanding, committed,
and singularly knowledgeable.
Incredibly, he agreed to a consultation (where he reviewed my eligibility under this
category) even before I had hired his services !
EB1 has its own set of complex requirements for both the
candidate and the employer. I have been very impressed with the way Mr. Khanna could explain these and appeased the doubts/hesitation of my managers. I have found him to be very approachable, generous and always willing to help in just about every issue regarding my immigration and legal status in the US.
My case manager, Diane Lombardo, has been extremely patient, supportive and prompt in responding to my innumerable
queries. She was instrumental in preparing the petition very meticulously . Over the last several months I have
been amazed at her committment and helpfulness.
As I understand, EB1 cases are difficult and I believe Mr. Khanna and Diane Lombardo have used all their experience to handle this I-140 petition in the most professional and satisfactory manner.
Thank you very much to attorney Khanna and his team !
Many thanks to everybody for their patience, perseverance, and professionalism over the last 6 very long years. Sometimes I was about to give up, but this morning when I walked out of the DHS office, it's all been worth it.
Hi Rajiv ji,
I want to thank you and your maginificent team (Specially Prerna, Richa,Sheena, Mathew, Joseph ) for helping me see this day. You were my strong baiston of hope when I was down. You all helped me keep my morale up through this 5 year one month 4 days ordeal. No wonder you all are what you are :->. All of you are so special in your own way. So please accept my deep and sincere gratitude.
You and your team was very sensitive and responsive to my needs. And I appreciate that a lot.
Once again thanks to you all great folks!! Long live immigration.com !!!!
Thanks and Warm Regards,
Neeraj.
I think Law office of Rajiv S Khanna has done a very good job in answering the RFE. After the RFE was answered, I got the approval in 15days.
USCIS and allied agencies responsible for immigration are using information on social networking sites (such as Facebook) to track the activities and postings made by immigration benefits applicants/beneficiaries for evidence of fraudulent activity. While, on principle I agree with deterring fraud, but the "big brother" stance of USCIS is deplorable. Beware folks - big brother is watching. Something you post even in jest may not be that funny in the hands of a govt. officer whose career is dedicated to finding fraud.
On August 13, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-230, which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. The law, which already in effect, requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions.vUSCIS has clarified certain matters that employers should bear in mind.
Questions and Answers
Q. To which petitioners does the new fee apply?
Release Date
USCIS is reminding the public that they offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the severe weather in Kentucky and surrounding states.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), until Sept. 30, 2022.
I am currently working as a Senior Software developer at a small company (13 employees). It is privately held and I don't have any stake in it. I am on an H-1B visa and my I-140 is approved under the EB-3 category. I see an opportunity to start a team in India for my current company. I can manage the team from India, staying there for a year. After that, I can come back to the US and still manage the Indian team while working in the USA. I will probably have to play a dual role where I am a senior developer and should manage the Indian team. Will I be eligible for EB-1 manager/executive level after 3 years? If not, is there an easy way I can leverage the advantage of working in a small shop to get a green card faster.
You should be able to include the team in India amongst the professionals you manage if the benefit of the work flows to the corporate collective. You don't have to be outside the USA for three years. The required time period is one year. This could work, but you must have a detailed consultation with your lawyers. They should make sure your proposed jobs in India and then in the USA meet the legal requirements for an L-1A/EB-1C.
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.
My friend had traveled to India in an emergency situation in April this year. Since the consulates were closed for so long, he could get his H-1 visa stamping done by an emergency appointment last month (through NIE) only. Now, his job contract ended here. What are his chances to come back to the U.S.? - Does he need to have a job with an offer letter before traveling back to the U.S. back?
Unless you have a specific job in hand, the one that has been described in the H-1B you should not come back.
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.
H1-B Visa Stamp Expired - but H1-B Status Valid until Sept 2023 (I-797 Approval Notice)
I-140 approved long back, I-485 pending (PD not current but close), I-765 + I-131 approved Combo Card. Travelled to India with both H-1B I-797 and I-485 EAD/AP (Validity was 1 Year) and returned a couple months back; chose to return on I-485 AP because could not get a Visa Drop Box Appointment. New I-94 received upon entry is only valid till AP expiry date; which is prior to H-1B I-94 attached to I-797 (Sept 2023). No change of Employer before or after the travels - return to the same employer.
a) Does the use of AP on returning mean the H-1B status is abandoned in this case?
b) Will I fall out of status after August 2022 - based on this new I-94 with AP entry?
c) Can the already approved H1B status be reinstated (if it was abandoned) and also be extended like regular H1B extension after 2023 - if yes, would that need a travel out of the country before August 2022 and return on H-1B visa stamp?
a). Although you entered the United States on advance parole this time you are still considered to be holding a H-1B status. That is not disturbed by your exit and entry.
b). The I-94 that you get with the advance parole entry is limited and hence it should not be a problem. You should be able to transfer employers. You definitely can amend or even extend your H-1B within the United States. I am not aware of any limitations on the ability to use the H-1B for a transfer.
c). Yes you can always revive an H-1B. If the H-1B has expired, you can seek a renewal of the H-1B through the USCIS and then go outside the USA (your home country or any country) and get a H-1B visa stamp and come back.
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.
I have had an approved H-1B petition since 2010 but never used it. Can I reuse that petition and obtain an H-1B transfer to a different company? The old company who has filed H-B petition has not withdrawn it.
The problem I see is that the approval is too old. A never-used H-1B approval obtained more than six years ago may not be viable. But, you can have it researched further. I suggest you look into something called the” remainder option.” Although, it is probably not applicable to you, but your lawyers should make sure of that. Normally, the remainder option is available for people who were employed for a while in the USA on H-1B. These folks, if they go outside the United States for one year after the H-1B employment, can get the time remaining on their H-1B without regard to when it was approved.
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.
Number 61
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January 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.
I was very pleased with answers I received from Mr. Rajiv S. Khanna to my questions on my immigration case. He pointed out one detail about my case that I forgot about, and that helped me to make a more educated decision as to how to proceed with my case. Thanks a lot, Rajiv!