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CBP Changes I-192 Criminal Waiver Processing for the State of Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection encounters foreign nationals requesting entry into the country who have criminal histories on a routine basis. These individuals are required to provide an I-192 Criminal Waiver Application in order to be considered for entry.
USCIS Redesigns Naturalization Certificate to Enhance Security
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More than 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year |
Guestbook Entry for Vlad, United States
USCIS Issues Fact Sheet and Q&As on New Naturalization Certificate
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.
Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa
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.
USCIS Forms Update Notice - Form I-485 Supplement J, Form I-485 Supplement A and Form I-485
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
12/23/2022 11:45 PM EST
Edition Date: 12/23/22. If you file Form I-485 Supplement J on or after Dec. 23, 2022, you must use the 12/23/22 edition or USCIS will reject your filing. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
USCIS Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
11/02/2022 12:05 PM EDT
Edition Date: 11/02/22. Starting Feb. 27, 2023, USCIS will only accept the 11/02/22 edition. Until then, you can also use the 05/31/22 and 03/10/21 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
USCIS Updates Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants
Release Date
12/09/2022
Effective Dec. 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to allow USCIS to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization.
New Edition of Form I-485 Will Be Required Starting Dec. 23, 2022
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If you file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on or after Dec. 23, 2022, you must use the 12/23/22 edition of Form I-485 or USCIS will reject your filing. If you file Form I-485 before Dec. 23, 2022, you must use the 07/15/22 edition of Form I-485 or USCIS will reject your filing. |
USCIS Announces Trial for Updates to the Naturalization Test
Release Date
12/14/2022
Federal Register Notice Published Today Announces Nationwide Trial
USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 24 Months for Green Card Renewals
On Sept. 26, 2022, USCIS automatically extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card
11/02/2022 04:03 PM EDT
Edition Date: 11/02/22. USCIS will also accept the 08/31/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Recording for December 15, 2022 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Green Card
FAQ: Explaining PERM Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and its elements || Recapturing H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); Changing H-1B field; USCIS’s stand on combining degree and work experience || H-4 EAD visa holders opening an LLC in the U.S. and employing their H-1B holding spouse on concurrent H-1B || Gap in status, for instance, H-1B and H-4 status issues || Eligibility for EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
Social networking sites being used to trace fraud
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.
USCIS Implements H-1B and L-1 Fees
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?