LOS ANGELES – This week, two immigration fraud perpetrators were sentenced to prison due to the considerable efforts of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Los Angeles Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit.
The attached letter from the USCIS signals clearly that H-1B program may be headed for a fundamental change. It remains to be seen what the details are and whether or not what the government would plan is within their legal authority.
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form:
Discussion Topics, Thursday 26 April 2018:
FAQ: Must I carry my green card with me at all times? ||H-1B and green card transfer from a non-profit organization to for-profit||Filing EB-5 investor case with a promissory note secured by property in a foreign country||At what stage should I join my future green card employer?||Child turning 21, immigration consequences for pending green card cases
Other: Compelling circumstances EAD after the age of 21 ||National interest waiver, J1 visa and physicians ||Immigration consequences of amending tax returns||ACICS Accreditation restored, effect on STEM OPT extension ||Advisability of travel using AVR – automatic visa revalidation ||Transferring H-1B quota case before first October ||Naturalization for a developmentally disabled applicant ||H4 EAD ||H-1B extension with PERM || Rules for AOS EAD extension, etc
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that the agency will begin phasing in use of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery service to mail Green Cards and other secure documents beginning April 30, 2018.
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentati
The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap petitions will open at noon Eastern on March 6, 2024, and run through noon Eastern on March 22, 2024.
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mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Discussion Topics:
Number 88
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April 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.
There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons who want to participate in Exchange Visitor programs in the United States. The J nonimmigrant classification is for participants of exchange programs, designated by the Department of State, that are designed to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and other countries. The Q nonimmigrant classification is for participants of international cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of Homeland Security.
Release Date
With the new fee rule that goes into effect April 1, 2024, you must use the new 04/01/24 editions of the following forms:
Please see: https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome
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Processing Queue | Priority Date |
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Analyst Review | February 2023 |
Audit Review | December 2022 |
Reconsideration Request to the CO | April 2023 |
FAQs: AC21 Supplement J and Salary Increase: Potential Issues with Job Porting and leaving the employer after green card || EB-3 PERM Green Card Application: Implications of Applying for a Future Promoted Role || EB-3 PERM Green Card Application: Implications of Applying for a Future Promoted Role || Staying in and Working from Home Country with Long-Pending I-485
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is committed to timely adjudicating DACA renewal requests.
Q1. My AOS is pending 180+ days, so which is less risky or will not cause problems when it comes to naturalization: (i) filing AC 21 and going with a new employer right after 180 days are complete, or (ii) leaving the current employer right after getting the green card?
Q2. Salary increase when filing ac21/485 j supplement: if I am filing an ac21 and the next job offers me a significant increase (2x) and 50% up from my current job, is it going to be an issue while filing a j supplement and porting a job?
Q3. What should I consider and keep in mind when changing from employer A to employer B when filing a J supplement (ac 21)?
Q4. Also, is it advisable and recommended that we stay with our employer for six months upon getting a green card? Or does it matter, and we can move as soon as we get the green card? Or should we stick with our employer for at least 3 months?
Q5. Suppose I am filing a J supplement (ac21) vs. moving right after from the employer from whom I just got the green card. Are both things considered the same, i.e., filing a J supplement and leaving the green card regarding consequences or future issues regarding citizenship/renewal? Or is one thing less risky compared to the second thing?
In most cases, filing Supplement J before moving is preferable. It's a more transparent approach, indicating your intention to change jobs before your green card approval. Moving right after obtaining the green card may require explanations and potentially dishonest justifications for your decision to leave. Therefore, Supplement J is generally considered a better option.
Q1. I-485 Filed for EB3 ROW Category While I am not in PERM Sponsored Role
I am stuck in the scenario where my green card was prepared for a future/prospective role, but the AOS/485 is filed, and I still do not have that prospective role (not promoted yet). What are the issues or risks if the green card is approved but I am not holding that future/prospective role? Is it necessary for me to be in the PERM-sponsored role (future role) at the time when USCIS approves I-485?
If the green card is approved and I am not given that future sponsored role, what are the issues/consequences? And how do we go about navigating this process?
Q2. Filing of GC
If my green card application is prepared for a future role and I am not in the perm-sponsored role (future role), i.e., I haven’t got a promotion while the AOS is filed, is it necessary for me to have that future role or not? If yes, then at what stage will the promotion be required for me to get a green card? And if I don’t get a promotion by the time the green card is approved, will there be any issues? If yes, what are the issues?
Answer 1: There isn't an immediate risk if you haven't been promoted at the time of filing Form I-485. However, it's expected that you'll be promoted within a reasonable period after your green card approval, typically within four to five months. Failing to be promoted after approval may raise questions, but it's not inherently problematic as long as the intention to promote was genuine.
Answer 2: If you haven't transitioned into the future role after your green card approval due to unforeseen circumstances or company issues, there generally aren't significant consequences. As long as all parties acted in good faith, the failure to fulfill the anticipated role doesn't usually jeopardize your green card status. While this situation may be contentious, it's typically manageable and shouldn't pose a substantial risk to your immigration status.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced agency-wide anti-discrimination guidance that addresses public-facing interactions and affirms the public service principles.
This article is part of the continuing series of interviews between The Practical Lawyer Editorial Board Member Rajiv S. Khanna and leading practitioners across the country, designed to provide personal and professional insights into various areas of the law.
Read more by clicking the pdf attachment.