Citizenship Interview Story
I had my interview today morning (2/6/2012) and I got "Congratulations, your application is recommended for approval." letter at the end .
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USCIS Updates Process for Accepting Petitions for Relatives Abroad
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.
Public Charge Inadmissibility Final Rule: Revised Forms and Updated Policy Manual Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published revised forms consistent with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including USCIS, will implement on Feb. 24, 2020. Beginning Feb. 24, 2020, applicants and petitioners must use new editions of the following forms below (except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court):
USCIS Response to the 2019 Coronavirus
USCIS is actively monitoring the effects of the public health emergency related to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak on agency operations.
Working for two companies on EAD
Question details
1. Wanted to check if on an EAD one could work for 2 companies. One sponsoring the GC (Maybe part time) and other full time.
2. Updated FAQ: I have a question in similar line. Currently I am on derivative EAD. My spouse is the main applicant and I got my EAD thru her company. She still works for the same company.
We (me and my friend) have started a company in India some time back. Now, I want to start our new office in the US. Will there be any legal implications? What kind of company I can start here.. LLC or Inc? Please advise.
1. Theoretically, you can work for as many companies as you like on EAD. My concern would be the implication that you no longer have a full time job with the sponsoring company, which is a requirement for the green card.
2. Since you are on a derivative EAD, you have even more freedom than the primary applicant. Other than an S corporation (I think that requires green card under tax laws), you can form any kind of corporation (LLC, etc.), but do check on the State law.
Working abroad while AOS pending
Question details
My self and my wife are on EAD and advance parole. My wife and I are from India.
I have to work in Switzerland on my company business for some time 6 months to a year – would that affect my EAD status in the USA. I would be working for the Swiss branch of my company.The assignment is short term 6-12 months.
This is however not the company with which I started my green card. I changed jobs when I got my EAD.
But I have several questions:
1. Can I even work abroad while on EAD status - short term, i am only talking 6-12 months. if this term is 11 months is that fine? Or do i have to work in the USA only while on EAD?
2. Do I need to maintain substantial presence in the USA while on EAD. And if so what is that term of stay.
3. Updated FAQ: My case is slightly different than the above one. Currently I am on Derivative EAD, which I got through my spouse's company. (I 485 pending and more than 180 days) I was on H1B and I got laid off in March 2009. I am still finding difficult to find a job in the US. I got an offer from a company in Canada. I know that I can work there once I get canadian work permit. My wife (main applicant and EAD holder) will be working for the same company in the US. My question is how often I can come to US with my Advance Parole? will there be any problem if I visit US often? Please advise.
1. An EAD is good to work on US soil only. If you wish to work in a third country, you have to look to their laws for work permissions. You should file an AC21 portability and make sure during your entire stay abroad you have at least your Advance Parole; preferable both your AP and H-1 visa.
2. As long as the permanent job continues to exist, there is no other requirement of presence.
3. I see no problem with visiting USA as often as you like.
Rajiv's News Clips - US policy that restricted international students’ re-entry blocked - Times of India
Published by : The Times Of India - Date: February 08, 2020
Students cannot be in unlawful presence, says the court
International students can breathe a sigh of relief. The USCIS has lost another case against its attempts to assault legal immigration. A federal court has held that its attempts to create artificial, three year or ten bars from reentry by students into the USA are illegal.
Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration
Question details
I have an approved I-140 with priority date of June 2013 from Employer "A". I moved to employer "B" in 2018 and extended my H1-B till June 2021. He is currently processing my labor for new application. Meanwhile, I got offers from "C" and "D". "C" is an established firm and is well aware of the immigration process. "D" is a small business enterprise started about 2 years ago and haven't sponsored any employee yet.
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Does withdrawing a timely filed application/petition with the USCIS lead to unlawful presence?
Question details
1. Can I just withdraw the whole petition? and go out of the country and travel back on H4
2. Will withdrawing the "Extension+Amendment" petition without responding to the RFE make my presence UNLawful for the last 11 months. (I-94 Expired Dec 2018 last year) because I worked on the client on their new address without an approved amendment?
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Visas for same-sex partners from countries where such marriage is not allowed
Question details
My partner is a teacher and was granted a J-1 visa on September 25, 2019. We've been together under one roof for 5 years and undergone the rite of Holy Union since same-sex marriage is not honored in the Philippines. I would like to seek advice on the best possible way on how to go to the US. Should I still push through with the J-2 visa application or as a tourist or visitor?
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges
Question details
I am planning to sponsor Visitor Visa for my sister,she was diagnosed with Down syndrome when she was 1 year and she is now 45 yrs old.
Considering her condition, i would like to know what additional documentation is required for visitor Visa B1/B2 apart from I130, letters to consulate & bank statements.
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Feb 6, 2020, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs:
- H-4 visa stamping - problems with H-1B
- Sponsoring family based green card while living outside the US
- When is H-1B amendment required?
- Getting EB-1C based green card by moving out for one year
- Obtaining birth certificates
Feb 20, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQs: Feb 20, 2020 Community Call
- I-140 issues - getting a copy of approval notice, leaving employer when I-140 approved less than 180 days
- Impact on H-4 - H-4 EAD if the H-1B holder changes jobs
- Promotion while PERM is pending or approved
- Birth Certificates
Guestbook Entry for Chins Chinnasamy, United States
Name
Chins Chinnasamy
Country
United States
State
Massachusetts
Compensation for H-1 lay off
Question details
My friend is working for NASDAQ listed company in US. We were in a discussion about the compensation details available for H1B employee if the company does a lay-off and he is affected due to it. He is on end of his 6th year and just got his 7th year extension.
If something like that happen(not that it should happen) but if that happen what are the compensation he is entitled to get from the company, apart from 2 weeks pay.
There is no special protection of compensation under H-1 laws once employment is terminated. Under immigration laws, the employer is required only pay for a one-way ticket back to your home country. The protection, if any, comes from employment contracts.
Guestbook Entry for Ramamurty changalvala, United States
Name
Ramamurty changalvala
Country
United States
State
North Carolina
Comment
I am really glad to have Rajiv as my attorney. It really helped me to get my card within 9 months. Diane is extremely fast and made my job very easy.
DOS Publishes Revised J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Skills List
Reference Document: STATE 057336, 06/09
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
1. The revised 2009 J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Skills List was published in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 82) on April 30, 2009.
2. The new Skills List is effective on June 28, 2009.
USCIS Reopens Fiscal Year 2009 H-2B Petition Filing Period
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reopened the fiscal year 2009 H-2B petition filing period and will immediately accept new H-2B petitions. Although on Jan. 7, 2009, USCIS announced it accepted and approved a sufficient number of H-2B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated annual cap of 66,000, the Department of State received far fewer than expected requests for H-2B visas and as a result, has issued only 40,640 H-2B visas for fiscal year 2009 to date. This means that there are approximately 25,000 visas that may go unused, as they have not been granted.
ICE Announces Major Reforms to Immigration Detention System
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton announced that ICE is undertaking a major overhaul of the agency's immigration detention system.
"This change marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws smartly and effectively," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. "We are improving detention center management to prioritize health, safety and uniformity among our facilities while ensuring security, efficiency and fiscal responsibility."
Guestbook Entry for Div Patel, United States
Name
Div Patel
Country
United States
State
PA
Comment
I applied for my Initial H1-B Extension .I was scared as the USCIS was asking too many questions abiut the project,codes and othe evidences as I also received an RFE for my case. But I really want to thank Rajiv Khanna and his staff at the non-immigrant office who was very calm and prepared a point - to -point response and also Rajiv personally reviews all the responses sent to the USCIS. So my case was approved yesterday and I really appreciate thier work.
USCIS Update on Case Status Inquiries with the Service Centers
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued instructions on making inquiries with the agency's four Service Centers. Customers, community-based organizations and liaison groups should follow this guidance when inquiring about case related issues. This new process standardizes customer service and streamlines processing of customer inquiries at USCIS Service Centers. To get step-by-step instructions please check attachment:
USCIS Explains Employment-Related Notification Requirements for Petitioners of Religious Workers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the manner in which petitioners for religious workers must notify USCIS regarding their employment of nonimmigrant religious workers in R-1 status. The procedures are necessary to enable petitioners to comply with the notification requirements established by USCIS regulations governing the R-1 nonimmigrant classification.
CSC Updates - 08/12/09
Time taken for a check to be valid after the time of arrival at the USCIS - The USCIS usually processes the fee-ing in of most of the applications within 24 hours of receipt. The bank has the option to accept or reject a fee instrument that expired at the time of its deposit. If the bank for expiry rejects the fee instrument, then the bounced check procedure is implemented and pursuant to 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7) (ii), the finance center will issue a bounced check notification.
Visa Bulletin - September 2009
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Number 12
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.
My family did receive the green card through the extra ordinary ability (EB1) category. We have no words to say for the inspiring, exciting and excellent work done by Rajiv and Diane through the entire process. It took just about 8 months to receive the green card. In each and every step, we met many times through the conference calls with Rajiv and Diane and they explained the process clearly and precisely. Of course, we felt always that someone from our own family guiding us in the entire GC process.
I highly recommend reader's of this testimonial to consult Mr. Khanna's immigration experts for any immigration related legal issues at any time. You will be certainly pleased to find such a great friendly group of people that are well prepared to provide you the service you deserve. I really wondered sometimes that how Rajiv and Diane find time to respond quickly for an individual in addition to deal with the other clients. Dear Rajiv and Diane, our prayers to your whole team for your selfless service to us. In future, any of Rajiv's clients who wants to apply under extraordinary ability can reach me to share my experience.