USCIS Policy Manual Update
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the Child Status Protection Act. The Policy Alert is available here:
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Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 25 February 2016
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Topics for Discussion, Thursday, 25 February 2016:
FAQ: Can I travel during the pendency of my (B-1, B-2 extension, H-1, H-4, H-4 EAD, L-1, L-2, I-130, I-140, I-485, I-485, Advance Parole, Reentry Permit etc.) case? When should I join my future green card employer, also recapturing time on L-1B; Can a denied H-1B petition make you cap exempt; Special immigration options for UK citizens; How to correct errors on a submitted Form DS-260.
Other: Effect of abandoned change of status from F-2 to F-1; Time for non-premium processing of H-1B employer transfer and process for H-4; Green card or status for autistic son; CSPA for family-based children and disclosing pending immigration application when applying for a student visa; Changing employers after I-140; OCI; The new I-140 regulations; Status when H-1 is denied; Options for addressing H-1 processing delays; Affidavit of support from a person domiciled outside the USA; H-1B extensions based upon old employer’s I-140; Cross chargeability; H-1B quota exemption, etc.
EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants From El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for May 2016 reflects a final action date of January 1, 2010, for EB-4 visas for special immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Chicago Lockbox Extends Hours to Accept EB-4 Filings That Meet April Visa Bulletin
The employment-based fourth preference (EB-4) visa limits have been reached for fiscal year 2016 for special immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
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:
AUDIO Recording for June 29, 2017 Conference Call
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 6 April, 2017
Immigration.com
Green Card
USCIS Urges Eligible Applicants to Switch Employment-Based Categories
Release Date
02/18/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages eligible applicants to consider requesting to transfer the underlying basis of their adjustment of status application to the first (priority workers) or second (noncitizens in professions with advanced degrees or with exceptional ability) employment-based preference categories, because there is an exceptionally high number of employment-based immigrant visas available in these categories during this fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022).
March 03, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, March 03, 2022:
FAQ: Abandonment; can I leave the USA while a change of status is pending?/Stamping requirements || Relation between F-1 status and I-485 AOS (child covered under Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)) || Relation between F-1 OPT and H-1B lottery change of status and changing employers || Is doing an unpaid U.S. externship/observership with F-2 visa unauthorized employment? || Can parents of U.S. citizens travel to the U.S. on an existing B-2 visa while their GC is pending?
March 17, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Green Card
FAQs: - From F-1 OPT directly applying for a green card - STEM OPT employment parameters, volunteering, part ownership, etc. - Can two employers file H-1B for the same employee using an existing I-140?
Recording of June 9, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQs: Traveled on Advance Parole - Maintaining H-1B status without going for stamping and filing multiple I-485 or Interfiling || Green card application for parents during tourist visa || How are PERM minimum job requirements determined? || Extending or Renewing F-1 student visa risks and requirements || Various Interfiling Issues ||
Aug 19, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
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
Sept 16, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, Sept 16, 2021
FAQ: Consequences of extending parents’ B-1/B-2 (visitors/tourist) status more than once||Consequences of green card holders staying outside the USA for an extended time. Reentry permit protection ||Applied for EB-3 downgrade and change of employer after 180 days while I-140 is pending
Oct 14, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 14, 2021:
FAQ: Reentering the U.S.A. on a Visitor’s/Tourist Visa Soon After Leaving || Can GC-EAD holder start business and what impact on the pending I-485? || FAQ: Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact on the pending I-485? || Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location? || EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade
EB-4 Religious Workers
Eligibility and Filing
To qualify as an EB-4 special immigrant religious worker, you must be a member of a religious denomination that has a non-profit religious organization in the United States. You must have been a member of this religious denomination for at minimum two years before applying for admission to the United States. Furthermore, you must be entering the United States to work:
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As a minister or priest of the religious denomination;
Green Card
DOS Updates – 02/10/2010
E Visa company registrations - It is advisable for “E” visa companies to update “registration” files at post every year although there is no specific regulation.
Following-to-Join for adjustment cases - An applicant who is the principal alien and whose spouse or child now needs to follow to join can now continue to deal directly with posts in paths:
1
. Immigrant visa at the same post as the one where the following-to-join will process;
Fiscal Year 2023 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs USCIS
Fiscal Year 2023 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs from USCIS
The employment-based (EB) annual limit for fiscal year (FY) 2023 will be higher than was typical before the pandemic, though lower than in FY 2021 and FY 2022. We are dedicated to ensuring we use as many available employment-based visas as possible in FY 2023, which ends on Sept. 30, 2023.
24 June 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 24, 2021:
FAQ: Consequences of B-1/B-2 Visa Extension applied and leaving the USA || Changing Multiple Jobs While AOS I-485 is Pending - Consequences || I-129 Nunc Pro Tunc Request
05 August 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
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.
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.
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
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 17 September 2015
Immigration.com
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
FAQ: I-485/AOS/AC21 issues in job through future employer - I-485/AOS; Reentry permit; New Priority Date rules; Priority date port and multiple I-485/AOS petitions;
Discussed: H-1B extension using I-140 receipt; cross chargeability; Losing priority date when I-140 revoked; location change on L-1B visa; Porting priority date to a different job; Spouse of green card holder; H-4 EAD extension; Filing I-485 without employer; CSPA; Birth certificate issues; Petty offense exception; H-1B and maternity leave; I-485 through future employer; etc.
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.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 15 October 2015
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Substantial transcription for video
Topics for Discussion:
FAQ: J-2 or J-1 with 212(e) HRR converting to F-1 student; FAQ: For PERM is formal certificate required or completion of degree is enough; Correcting dates on I-94; Travel while H-1 extension pending – change in I-94#; Changing employers - what immigration documents should I keep; FAQ: Maternity leave on H-1, FMLA and status.
Other: Multiple I-140 approvals; I-140 denial; Cap-gap extension; Effect of change in citizenship on H-1; PERM/AC21 and multiple I-485 filing; Family-based green card change in category; Child turning 21 – CSPA and derivative non-immigrant status loss; L-1A visa and EB-1C filing; Filing I-485 for spouse; PERM more than 50% different job; Cross chargeability; I-130 fraud by spouse; Maternity leave on H-1; AOS filing; F-2 COS; H-1quota, etc.