Processing Change for Certain Form I-730 Petitions / USCIS is Strengthening Screening for Family Members Abroad Seeking to Join Refugees in the United States
USCIS recently published the following two alerts in the "News" section of the website:
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USCIS Announces Open Application Period for Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
Release Date
05/17/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The grant opportunities will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.
Immigration for Abused Spouse
U.S. citizens (USC) and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) may file immigrant visa petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of a spouse or child, so that these family members may immigrate to or remain in the United States. Sadly, certain cases exist where U.S. citizens and LPRs misuse their control of this process to abuse their family members. Consequently, most battered immigrants are fearful to report the abuse to the police or other authorities out of fear of losing their immigration benefits.
Green Card
Waiting for Asylum Decision
I'd like to share my PAINFUL experience with you guys. AND you guys have to know that I'm still painful now.
Let's get started with the TIME SCHEDULE:
10/27/2014 Arrived in the United States with B2 visa
11/00/2014 i-589 sent, which I can't remember which day exactly
11/08/2014 Receipt Arrived
11/00/2014 Fingerprints & Interview Notice, which I can't remember which day exactly
12/19/2014 Interview
Green Card
Guestbook Entry for Francis King , United States
Name
Francis King
Country
United States
State
VA
State Department Publishes Fact Sheet On Fiscal Year 2016 Refugee Admissions
- Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCOctober 4, 2016
The United States is taking the lead in meeting the unprecedented challenge of the global refugee crisis. At the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in September, President Obama brought together world leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly to galvanize additional humanitarian support, improve educational and access to lawful work for refugees, and expand opportunities for refugee resettlement.
Chicago USCIS Updates – 08/27/09
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule on the removal of HIV infection from its list of communicable diseases of public health significance - As of now with respect to the above proposed rule the Chicago Field Office has not received any guidance from HQ. Hence the office will not hold such applications in suspension until further notice.
USCIS Releases Policy Memo On Timeframe to Respond to RFEs on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver Requests
Please check the attached document to read USCIS memo on timeframe to respond to RFEs on provisional unlawful presence waiver requests.
Filing Location Change for Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
Release Date
01/04/2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is changing the filing location for Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, to streamline workloads in an ever-increasing electronic environment. Previously, this petition was filed either at the Texas Service Center or the Nebraska Service Center depending on the state where the petitioner resides. With this change, all Form I-730 petitions should be filed at the Texas Service Center.
USCIS Issues Request for Review Tip Sheet
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USCIS Publishes Memo On Revocation of VAWA-Based Self-Petitions
This Policy Memorandum (PM) restates the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) revocation policy.
President's Office Releases Report On Proposed Refugee Admissions FY2012
The report describes the nature of the refugee situation, admission numbers, plans for resettlement, demographics, other countries' policies, impact on U.S. foreign policy, and more.
To read Report On "Proposed Refugee Admissions FY2012," please check the attachment below.
Centralized Intake Processing of VAWA Self-Petitions and Related Filings at the Nebraska Service Center
Release Date
05/07/2024
Effective April 1, 2024, USCIS centralized the intake process of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and related filings under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for self-petitioning abused spouses, children, and parents at the Nebraska Service Center.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Customer Service and Confidentiality Protections for Certain Naturalized U.S. Citizens
Release Date
06/12/2024
USCIS is issuing guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that interprets that the confidentiality protections under 8 U.S.C. 1367 end at naturalization, which will allow naturalized U.S. citizens previously protected under 8 U.S.C. 1367 (specifically, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners and those seeking or with approved T and U nonimmigrant status) the ability to fully access e-filing and other customer service tools.
Assistant Secretary Anne C. Richard to Review Refugee Resettlement Programs in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
June 26, 2012
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard will travel from June 26-29, 2012, to Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to meet with resettled refugees, local and state government officials, resettlement agencies and other community members involved in the resettlement of refugees.
Asylee Citizenship Interview Experience Re COP
This forum made me sleep better on many nights and told me what to expect at every step. Nothing was a surprise from Asylum to US Passport.
Waited many many years and got my Asylum I485 approved in 2002. Applied N400 in Aug 07, FP in Jan 08, Citizenship interview in April 08 and got my Oath in May 08. Applied for passport routine service at the oath ceremony and got my passport in 9 days. My online status still shows my case pending since Oct 2007 !!
Green Card
Citizenship and Naturalization
Naturalization eligibility for recently extended absences over six months and less than one year from the U.S.
Question details
My father is a green card holder (five years, three months now). He has spent 33 months in the US in the last five years and for 6 months every calendar year. The issue is that on two of his most recent trips, he was out of the US for nine months, six weeks, and 11 days.
He has always been retired and has not held a job in the US or abroad. His daughter and family continued to stay in the US during these trips. He does not own a house in the US but stays with his daughter and her family and continues to have access to that residence during these trips. He does own property in India and has continued to hold that same property over the last five years. His trips abroad were to visit his other children.
What are the rough chances of "rebutting the presumption of break of continuous presence", if he applies for naturalization, despite these two trips of 9 months and 6 months two weeks ? Would you recommend going through a lawyer ?
Regarding the 9-month absence that is being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable as long as there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, as long as these reasons are clearly explained, it should be acceptable.
FAQ Transcript
Regarding the 9-month absence being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable if there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, it should be acceptable if these reasons are clearly explained.
VAWA Reauthorization Bill, S. 47
As stated by The New York Times, the House on Thursday gave final approval to a renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, sending a bipartisan Senate measure to President Obama after a House plan endorsed by conservatives was defeated.
To read more on this news story click here
President Obama Signs the VAWA Bill
Yesterday, President Obama signed a bill that both strengthened and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
For more on this news visit this link
USCIS Assists in Investigation Leading to Conviction of Indian Citizen for Submitting Fraudulent Immigration Application
Release Date
05/05/2025
BURLINGTON, Vt. – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the conviction of an Indian citizen for submitting a fraudulent immigration application.
Exception to the Two Year Custody and Two Year Residency Requirement for Abused Adopted Children
This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers in adjudicating Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant, filed by a self-petitioning adopted child, when the adopted child has been battered or abused. Please click the attachment for more information on the memorandum
USCIS Policy Memo on Adjudicating Form I-360 for Abused Adopted Children
- USCIS memo on the adjudication of Form I-360 filed by a self-petitioning adopted child when the child has been abused by the adoptive parent, since the two-year legal custody and residency requirements for these individuals has been eliminated.