Release Date 01/08/2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, USCIS is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. The information below explains the current state of lockbox operations and the issues affecting receipt notices.
Current Situation
01/12/2021
Starting in January, USCIS will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action. LPRs file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when their Green Cards expire or are about to expire. The revised Form I-797 notice will serve as a receipt notice for the Form I-90.
Release Date 01/12/2021
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2021. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, 2021.
Following is an excerpt from a Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna:
"I think these regulations will get frozen and I think we will be able to revert to our last year's lottery system and we'll be able to make it through this year but I also think that it's going to be a comprehensive legal immigration reform".
Watch the complete video here:
Release Date 01/15/2021
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced it will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on Jan. 19 and 20 to ensure the safety of employees and individuals with appointments.
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | June 2020 |
| Audit Review | February 2020 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | August 2020 |
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 19, 2021
Synopsis
Taking another parting shot at the employment-based immigration affecting green cards, H-1B and other similar work visas, the Trump Department of Labor (DOL) has published a rule that raises the wages by approximately 30% across the board.
For more details please see the attachment below.
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 45.31% | 1278 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 0% | 1 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 21, 2021
Synopsis
Politically, this is a good time for immigration laws to be revamped and modernized. Concluding from various polls conducted over the last two years, 70% of the US population considers immigration to be important for the United States. Democrats, that is Biden’s party, have the majority (although a slim one) to pass laws & be effective.
For more details please see the attachment below.
Published by: The Times of India - Date: January 21, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
“It is most gratifying to see an acknowledgment from the Biden-Harris administration of the plight of immigration stakeholders” Arlington-based, Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 21, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
“Some of the changes will be delayed because they need a change in the laws, which is likely to be a few-months process, but the Biden administration is already prepared to send a legislative package to Congress. Some of the changes will be delayed because they might require deregulation,” said Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at immigration.com
Number 50
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February 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.
FAQs:
I-485 AOS filed - Maintaining H-1B status after getting EAD/Changing jobs after I-485/Being unemployed/Start own business, etc. (Filed for I-485, EAD, AP along with EB-2 to EB-3 I-140 downgrade)
Other Topics :
Maintaining green card status outside the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic || Filed for I-485, EAD, AP along with EB-2 to EB-3 I-140 downgrade and maintaining H-1B status after getting EAD || Receiving green card in a few months on the EB-1C/L-1A route and consequences of changing jobs or leaving job immediately after green card approval || H-1 Visa Laid-Off repercussions, F-1 pending - 60 day grace period || Investing in real estate property, stocks and day trading in the USA with an LLC || Employer not willing to file I-824 to support filing Adjustment of Status (AoS) || Currently on J-1 visa and PERM application is in process: Type of waiver, if needed, to present for same-sex spouse who is on J-2 || H-4 to F-1 and biometrics appointment schedule || H-1B Cap exempt and spouse on H-4 EAD seeking a job || Unemployed on H-4, filed I-485 AOS as a Principal Applicant with Supplement J || How to ensure application in process and get A#. || Spouse currently studying on H-4, applying for her F-1 Visa. Both I-140s approved. Will not going on an H-4 EAD create issues? || Applying for citizenship for Parents with green card and continuous residence issues || F-1 visa expires while waiting for marriage-based green card.
publication descriptionPublished by: The Economic Times - Jan 25, 2021
Synopsis:
publication descriptionBiden’s administration has already withdrawn the regulation that was not yet published: the USCIS regulation that redefined employer-employee relationship to a far stricter level than we have ever had before, and required end-clients to be actively involved in the H-1B process.
Published by: The Times of India - Date: January 28, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, "The May 14, timeline should take us past the H-1B lottery, if the Labour Condition Application (LCA) process is done before the kick-off date." The registration for H-1B applications (petitions) for the coming season is expected to commence in March. The lottery will be held in April.
Release Date 01/28/2021
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain:
Jan 27, 2021 Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna Topics of discussion:
Wage hike rule that raised required wages disproportionately has been delayed to May 14 (beyond this year's H-1B lottery). Future proposed changes for STEM graduates and pending green cards.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for latest immigration updates in Biden AdministrationThe URL for the channel is:http://youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
Discussing allegations of fraud and consequences when a short-term visa holder tries to convert to green card or another long-term visa from within the US.