USCIS Reaches Settlement Agreement in “No Blank Space Rejection Policy” Case
Affected filers have until July 20, 2022, to receive an earlier receipt date
Affected filers have until July 20, 2022, to receive an earlier receipt date
FAQ: EB-3 petition downgrade; CSPA protection for 21 year old son I-485 Green Card final interview process/questions asked, etc. Retaining valid H-1B status while AOS is pending and when to file Supplement J
Release Date
08/20/2021
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking data and information from the public that DHS intends to use to develop a public charge regulatory proposal. The purpose of public comment is to ensure that the proposal is fair, consistent with law, and informed by relevant data and evidence. Public comment also will help DHS ensure that the proposed regulation does not impose undue burdens on noncitizens seeking admission to or adjustment of status in the United States.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
07/20/2021 08:52 AM EDT
Starting 10/26/21, USCIS will only accept the 7/20/21 version. Until then, you can use the 1/27/20 version. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
07/20/2021 08:31 AM EDT
NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
If you received a juvenile court order from a California Juvenile Court and then filed a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petition after turning 18 years old, you may be part of a federal class action settlement:
A.O., et al v. Jaddou, et al,
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Case Number 19-cv-6151-SVK
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
Preliminary Note: The following discussion examines National Interest Waiver, other than that for foreign physicians. The nature of NIW for foreign physicians is different and requires a separate discussion.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updated policy guidance affecting children born outside of the United States and the determination of whether children born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) are considered to have been born “in wedlock.” This policy update will allow a non-genetic, non-gestational legal parent of a child to transmit U.S.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, August 05, 2021:
FAQ: What Happens if H-1B Employer Revokes a Quota H-1B Before October 1? || Multiple Employers or Jobs on I-485 EAD|| How Long Can You Be Unemployed on AOS EAD/AP? || Taking a Long Break After Receiving Employment-Based Green Card || Downgrading EB2 to EB3 for Both Husband and Wife and CSPA or Derivative Beneficiary for Daughter.
Note: For the NRI readers, The Economic Times has started an immigration helpdesk. A team of experts which includes Rajiv S. Khanna addresses the most pressing issues. Please see the link below.
US travel ban: NRI Helpdesk: Can IR-5 immigrant visa holders travel to US despite travel ban? - The Economic Times
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS forms:
Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status
07/20/2021 11:21 AM EDT
Starting 10/12/21, USCIS will only accept the 07/20/21 edition. Until then, you can use the 5/16/19 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Application for Travel Document
04/24/2019 09:26 AM EDT
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | March 2021 |
| Audit Review | September 2020 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | April 2021 |
On January 21, 2022, USCIS published the following information on its website, which we have edited to provide clarifying remarks:
You may be eligible to request to transfer the underlying basis of your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to a different employment-based immigrant category based on another Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. USCIS may, in its discretion, grant a transfer request, if:
How to Make Your Communication with the USCIS Contact Center More Effective
The USCIS Contact Center has made changes to reduce reliance on telephonic live assistance while promoting the use of online self-help tools and digital inquiry channels. This is the result of financial limitations and resource constraints that make it impossible for USCIS to offer live assistance to every customer in the face of increased inquiry volumes.
When does it make sense to reach out to the USCIS Contact Center?
Discussion topics:
Topics Discussed during the Conference Call:
Release Date
02/04/2022
On Feb. 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services joins other U.S. government agencies and the international community in calling for an end to the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C).
FGM/C refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Starting today, USCIS will generally grant new and renewed EADs that are valid for two years to applicants in the following categories:
This nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
Release Date
02/09/2022
“USCIS upholds America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.”
The Biden administration earlier announced changes in immigration policy treatment of STEM fields that provide welcome opportunities to the people holding F-1 and J-1 visas in the United States.
For more details please visit this link:
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | August 2021 |
| Audit Review | April 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | August 2021 |