Published by: The Economic Times - Date: February 02, 2021
Two developments in immigration law bring happy tidings: a court challenge to OPT and STEM OPT extension has failed; and the US Department of Labor (DOL) has delayed to May 14, 2021 (beyond the H-1B lottery deadlines) implementation of the regulations affecting disproportionate wage hikes for H-1B and green card petitions.
For more details please see the attachment below.
FAQs: Filing Supplement J, staying without work on EAD, H-1B denial effect on I-485 Age Out/CSPA for children immigrating to the US
OTHERS: Completed I-765 form with a mistake, will the application get rejected || I-140 is withdrawn before 180 days of pending I-485 and EAD application || WD 7A1 stamp and future vacation travel to US || B-2 visa duration and extension || Getting a US Passport under Section 320 for a Minor || Wait for H-4 EAD or convert visa from H-4 to F-1 (finishing graduate degree online) by traveling to India for visa stamping || On F-1 visa stamped for 5 years for 1-year graduate course and unclear when required to leave || Applying for a re-entry permit after receiving green card || USCIS Receipt Notice Delays for I-140/EB-1C || H-1, H-4, EAD expiring: H-1 extension already filed || B-2 extension and RFE responses for parents during covid || Applying for H-4 after marriage with an approved I-140 || Moving to H-1B from Adjustment of Status if currently working on EAD || L-1A Stamping in Canada instead of India - Advantage || Maintaining H-1B status while waiting for green card || AOS filing and processing questions with H-1 and H-4 parents and child on F-1 now over 21 || Downgrading and processing time issues.
Update 1- Feb 8, 2021
Can students on OPT CPT work remotely during the COVID times. ICE says yes. See from page 12 on of this FAQ released by the govt.
https://www.ice.gov/doclib/coronavirus/covid19faq.pdf
Update 2 - Feb 8, 2021
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Release Date 02/26/2021
USCIS announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive.
USCIS announced that individuals with a pending Form I-360 religious worker petition with USCIS, may be eligible for benefits under Ruiz-Diaz v. United States, No. C07-1881RSL (W.D. Wash. June 11, 2009). To see the USCIS notice and the court issued notice in Ruiz-Diaz v. US, No. C07-1881RSL, see attachment.
***President Biden has revoked the Trump Visa Ban IN RELATION TO GREEN CARD PROCESSING ONLY. It should be effective today, Feb 24, 2121. It might take a few days for this to be fully implemented, but the consulates will still operate under the COVID precautions needed locally.
***OPT Students. Rajiv has sent a letter based upon the difficulties he has been asked to address in the last two weeks.
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest immigration updates in Biden AdministrationThe URL for the channel is: http://youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest immigration updates in Biden Administration
The URL for the channel is:
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 04 March 2021:
FAQ's: How to deal with H-1B employer paying salary less than required || Green Card Renewal - Do I have to be employed in a similar job?
Other Topics: Downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3: Interview process, job responsibility, wages and period of time to change jobs || | If approved EB-1C and GC (consular processing): Impact of delay to move to the US || AOS versus NVC processing for family members in different status || Upgrading to premium processing, while service correction to I-140 pending/options if, spouse moves to EB-3 || Documents required for parents GC || Spouses changing from EB-2 to EB-3 with a new law firm and service center || Maintaining status || Impact of H-4 EAD expiring on spouses || Time estimate for pending asylum review || Impact of moving to a new office branch with AOS pending || Parent on I-140: Impact on 19-year-old son and CSPA || Green Card through Brother or Sister
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, effective today, it will resume Premium Processing Service for nonimmigrant religious worker petitions filed by certain R-1 petitioners. Only those petitioners who have successfully passed an on-site inspection are eligible to file under Premium Processing Service.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
FAQ: Options for potential H-4 dependent visa holder continuing their employment in India || Applying for a green card while on F-1 Student status or OPT
USCIS advises its customers that Public Law 111-9, signed by President Obama on March 20, 2009, extends the non-minister special immigrant religious worker program through Sept. 29, 2009. The program had expired on March 6, 2009.
Release Date
04/12/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the manner in which petitioners for religious workers must notify USCIS regarding their employment of nonimmigrant religious workers in R-1 status. The procedures are necessary to enable petitioners to comply with the notification requirements established by USCIS regulations governing the R-1 nonimmigrant classification.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds special immigrant religious workers, who have a pending or approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, (Form I-360), to file their Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, (Form I-485), on or before Aug. 31, 2009. Special immigrant religious workers who wish to file a Form I-360 petition with an I-485 application should also file on or before Aug. 31, 2009.
The R-1 Visa is available to those who wish to come to the United States solely as a minister or to perform a religious vocation or occupation, in either a professional or nonprofessional capacity, for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
In order to be approved for temporary admission, or extension and maintenance of status, one must meet the following requirements:
[Federal Register: October 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 192)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51236-51237]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06oc09-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 41
[Public Notice: 6779]
Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended; Requirements for Aliens in Religious Occupations
AGENCY: State Department.
ACTION: Final rule.
FAQs: Should I maintain my H-1B during I-485/AOS pendency? || H-1B and I-140: Moving to India & Future Return to the U.S .|| H-1B working remotely from India
FAQ’s:
Other:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications, including the agency’s role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and reinstatement of status for these students and their dependents in the United States.