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Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 17 September 2015
Immigration.com
Green Card
FAQ: I-485/AOS/AC21 issues in job through future employer - I-485/AOS; Reentry permit; New Priority Date rules; Priority date port and multiple I-485/AOS petitions;
Discussed: H-1B extension using I-140 receipt; cross chargeability; Losing priority date when I-140 revoked; location change on L-1B visa; Porting priority date to a different job; Spouse of green card holder; H-4 EAD extension; Filing I-485 without employer; CSPA; Birth certificate issues; Petty offense exception; H-1B and maternity leave; I-485 through future employer; etc.
Guestbook Entry for Victoria Murphy, United States
USCIS Forms Updates
USCIS is publishing improved forms in easier-to-use formats and with new data collection technologies. Read more about Form Improvements Initiative.
Guestbook Entry for Balaji, United States
Guestbook Entry for Wendy Zhang, United States
USCIS Suspends Final Adjudication of Employment-Based Adjustment Applications for the Remainder of FY 2015
Starting today, USCIS will suspend final adjudication of employment-based Form I-485 applications (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) because the Department of State reports that the statutory cap has been reached for the employment-based preference categories for fiscal year (FY) 2015.
This suspension applies to all employment-based adjustment applications pending with USCIS through September 30, 2015 (the remainder of FY2015).
USCIS Guidance on Payment of N-400 Application Fee with a Credit Card
You may pay for your N-400, Application for Naturalization, using a credit card. There is no additional fee to pay with your credit card. The N-400 is the only form that can be paid for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction.
Acceptable Credit Cards
You may use Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You may also use gift cards with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover logos.
Visa Bulletin - October 2015 (Revised)
Number 85
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
Immigrant Numbers for October 2015
Revised September 25, 2015
Green Card
Visa Bulletin For October 2015 (Revised)
This bulletin supersedes the bulletin for October 2015 that was originally published on September 9, 2015, and contained Dates for Filing Applications long used by the Department of State for internal processing purposes. Following consultations with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Dates for Filing Applications for some categories in the Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based preferences have been adjusted to better reflect a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. The Dates for Filing Applications sections (sections 4.B.
Interview
I wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful comments and guidance posted in this forum!
Went to the USCIS office in Manhattan yesterday for my interview at 730 am. After going through security went to the waiting area and handed my interview notice to the receptionist. My name was called by the IO at 8 am. It must have been a very quiet day and there were no more than 15-20 people in the waiting area!
Citizenship and Naturalization
PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2015)
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Priority Dates |
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Month |
Year |
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Analyst Review |
February |
2015 |
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Audit Review |
June |
2014 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Mother's Citizenship Interview
My parents had their citizenship interview few days back. My father passed the interview. My mother had been concentrating more on the civics part and never went over the N-400 application. When the USCIS officer asked her about tax returns and other questions she got confused and couldn't answer then correctly as she was scared to answer them wrong. She passed the civics. On the form she was given at the end stated that she needs to be retested again for understanding language.My father has his oath ceremony next week.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Boston MA - N-400 Interview Experience
I had my interview at the JFK Building, Boston. My appointment time was around 8am. I got there at 7:30. I was called in at around 9 am. It was a standard interview. I took oath to tell the truth. He asked for my GC, Passport and proof that I had registered for selective service. That is all he asked for.
We went through the N-400 first. He was very detailed. Chatted about my work in between. I had already prepared my travel log since the time of my application and he added that as an addendum to my application. After that we did the civics exams.
Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS Grants One-Time Accommodation for Sheepherders in H-2A Status
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would allow H-2A workers in the sheepherding industry more time to fully transition to the three-year limitation of stay requirements under the agency’s final rule that became effective on Jan. 17, 2009. USCIS is making the one-time accommodation in deference to the industry’s prior exemption from the 3-year limitation. This exemption does not impact other H-2A categories.
ETA's Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance
The publication of the H2B regulation in December 2008 and the corresponding changes to PERM, H1B, H1B1, H1C and E3 regulations governing temporary professional, nonagricultural or registered nursing programs changed the roles of the SWAs and NPCs in the prevailing wage determination process and necessitated the issuance of policy and procedural guidance to be used by the National Prevailing Wage and Helpdesk Center (NPWHC).
Guestbook Entry for Tribendu Datta, United States
I-140 revocation based upon fraud reversed
We were recently retained at the I-140 Appeal stage for an I-140 denied on grounds of fraud/willful misrepresentation. USCIS denied the I-140 citing inconsistencies between the ETA 9089 job requirements, the advertisements, and a subsequent letter sent by petitioner with an RFE pertaining to the job requirements. Due to what USCIS termed as "material inconsistencies," the I-140 was denied on the grounds that the labor certification submitted was gained through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact.
Green Card
Adoption Notice Re: Guatemala
Casa Quivira Cases: DOS issued an alert on December 28, 2009 informing that the Office of the Solicitor General's (PGN's) appeal of the 2009 decision determining the adoptability of the children taken into custody from Casa Quivira was upheld by the appeals court. Note, these children include those who are already residing in the U.S.
Entering USA, what to expect?
What kind of problems can employment-based nonimmigrants (H-1, L-1, E-1, E-2, E-3, TN) face during reentry?
I think this question is most relevant for H-1 holders, but other employment-based nonimmigrants may also note the general principles here.
Importance of having continuity of employment/pay stubs
Here is a question from our clients-only extranet.
Whats the relevance or importance of having continuous pay stubs (How much gap is permissible if Not significant?) in the processing of Green card of an H1B holder.
H-1B Employer Employee Memo of 8 January - Practice Hints
I am reproducing material from our employers-only (by invitation only) conference call for tomorrow. These matters need to be in place for H-1 new applications, transfers as well as extensions.
Link to my 2009 articles on immigration law compliance and end-client letter issues
I have received e-mails from folks about my 2009 articles on immigration law compliance and end-client letter issues in H-1B cases published by American Law Institute - American Bar Association. Here is the link:
http://www.immigration.com/articles-rajiv-s-khanna