PERM Processing Times (as of 01/03/2013)
According to DOL updates as of 01/03/2013, they are working on PERM application filed in the following months:
Analyst Reviews : October 10, 2012
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2013 Poverty Guidelines
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5182-5183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01422]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
USCIS Publishes Revised Forms I-90 and I-601
USCIS recently published revised Forms I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
Chart for all Employment - Based I-485 Pending Inventory
All Employment-Based I-485 Inventory pending at the Service Centers and Field Offices as of 01/3/ 2013
DOS Updates List of Countries with Limited or No U.S. Visa Services
Overview – What Does this List Provide?
U.S. embassies and consulates are sometimes forced to limit or, at times, suspend visa services because of natural disasters, civil unrest, war, and/or security concerns, among other reasons. The list below notes the U.S. embassies and consulates that currently provide limited visa services, locations where visa services are suspended, and countries that do not have U.S. embassies or consulates.
The list below does not include the following:
Guestbook Entry for John C, United States
Name
John C
Country
United States
State
TX
The "Immigration Innovation Act of 2013" May Double H-1B Visa Cap
IMMIGRATION INNOVATION (I2) ACT OF 2013
ORRIN HATCH (R-UTAH), AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MINN.), MARCO RUBIO (R-FLA.), CHRIS COONS (D-DEL.)
Employment-Based Nonimmigrant H-1B Visas
1. Increase H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000
2. Establish a market-based H-1B escalator, so that the cap can adjust – up or down – to the demands of the economy (includes a 300,000 ceiling on the ability of the escalator to move)
Labor Certification Approved Following Two MTR/Appeals on Government Error
We filed an ETA 9089 Labor Certification and included a requirement of a Master’s degree. The job required no employment experience, but did require hands-on work in a university research laboratory with particular equipment. DOL denied the application, stating that training and experience requirements were in place that exceeded the employer’s true minimum requirements. We responded with an MTR/Appeal asserting that this was not an appropriate ground for denial and that no formal training was required or available in these technologies.
Green Card
I-140 Approved Following RFE – Beneficiary Living Outside the U.S.
We filed an I-140 application in which the beneficiary was no longer working for the employer and was living outside the U.S. We included fairly standard supporting documents. To show the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage, we submitted federal tax returns and a W-2 from the preceding year. To show the beneficiary’s qualifications, we submitted a copy of his degree and affidavits from previous supervisors and co-workers with supporting documents.
Green Card
Immigration Law
Bonsai Nursery/Facility Manager H-1 Approved Following RFE
We filed an H-1 application for a Bonsai Nursery/Facility Manager. USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) challenging whether or not a specific Bachelor’s level education is required for this position. We filed a detailed response, with voluminous evidence the specialized nature of the job. We urged USCIS to consider the merits of the job description and what it would take to perform the job. We argued job titles alone are not dispositive of the nature of a job.
USCIS approved the application.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Guestbook Entry for Parmpreet Singh Bajaj, United States
Name
Parmpreet Singh Bajaj
Country
United States
State
CA
Guestbook Entry for S Singh, United States
Name
S Singh
Country
United States
State
VA
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process: FAQ's Updated
Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system.
Asylee N-400 Interview Experience
- It took me all togather, 119 days from application file date to an Oath Ceremony. I am proud to be the USC now. I had to wait about 40 days between interview and Oath ceremony date because my GC was not complete 5 years at the time of Interview. Otherwise my Oath would be on April 26, which would make my Naturalization process complete within 100 days. It's FAST.....!!!
Thanks all of you (specially to wantmygcnow, thankful,shefe assylum etc) for your help, supports and advices in the issues regarding my Asylum, Green Card and finally Naturalization.
Green Card
Became A Citizen yesterday
I am happy to share the good news with all of you that my wife and I became citizen's yesterday. The process was very easy. We had interview appointments at 10:05 am and were called in before 10:15. The interview lasted 5 mins and the officer did not look at any documents I took. I spent last two weeks trying to collect all kinds of documents mentioned on another thread. Anyway here is my timeline:
RD: 3/08/2006
FP: 4/18/2006
Interview/Oath: 5/24/2006
Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS Announces CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Limit
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that the fiscal year (FY) 2013 limit for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Workers (CW-1) is 15,000. The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA) requires an annual reduction of the number of CW-1s, the nonimmigrant category for these transitional workers.
USCIS Releases Statistics On Form I-526 and I-829 For Fiscal Years 1991 – 2012
USCIS statistical information on Form I-526 immigrant petitions by alien entrepreneur and Form I-829 petitions by entrepreneur to remove conditions. The number of cases received, approved and denied by fiscal year from FY1991 to FY2012.
Please check attachment to view Statistics.
DOL FAQs on New Electronic Filing System for H-2B & H-2A Programs
The Department has posted the first round of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing the implementation of electronic filing in the H-2B and H-2A labor certification programs through the Department's iCERT Visa Portal System. The FAQs are largely based on questions received from participants in the four webinar training sessions conducted by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification, and are published to assist program users in navigating electronic filing in the H-2B and H-2A programs.
Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) I-140 after Employer’s Fraud Conviction
The following case is an example of USCIS blanket revocations based upon criminal convictions. Fortunately, USCIS did keep an open mind and permitted us to show the law and the facts in their proper light without having to go to the Court over this.
Green Card
I-140 Approved following Intent to Deny and Request for Evidence
The following two cases demonstrate how USCIS, an "expert" agency, can misread immigration forms, causing unnecessary anxiety and expense for people.
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Releases Memo On Guidance For Adoption Validity For INA Purposes
USCIS memo on amending the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) to provide guidance on whether an “adoption” is valid for immigration purposes.
Please check the attachment to read guidance memo.