General Nonimmigrant Visa

CW-1 Employers Must Verify Continued Employment and Payment of CW-1 Workers by Submitting Form I-129CWR

Release Date 09/11/2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is reminding employers of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that they must confirm the continued employment of the CW-1 workers every six months. 

Sept 3, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

Substantial transcription for video

FAQs: H-1B portability without a visa stamp || Unemployment benefits while on B-2 || Owning or doing business on H-1B || Unstamped H-1B quota exemption || Change of status on an H-1B approved for consular processing || Changing status during a pending application - authorized period of stay.

OTHER: Visas for Canadian permanent residents || J-1 waiver for multiple DS 2019 || Name discrepancy || Union membership for nonimmigrants or immigrants || Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, etc.

USCIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce

Release Date 08/25/2020

Drastic cuts will impact agency operations for foreseeable future

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the agency will avert an administrative furlough of more than 13,000 employees, scheduled to begin Aug. 30 as a result of unprecedented spending cuts and a steady increase in daily incoming revenue and receipts.

Aug 20, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

Substantial transcription for video

FAQs: Changing jobs while I-140 pending and change in job title || Going to school while I-485 is pending || Issues in changing employers after I-140 approval.

OTHER: Fiance visa without a formal ceremony || Impact of Supplement J approval || Taking leave during H-4 EAD gap || H-4 EAD delay || Family-based I-485 interview rescheduled || Relocation while PERM green card is pending || Evidence of marriage || Applying for green card for parents || Applying for H-1 through two companies || Unlawful presence after H-1B denial, etc.

Form I-9 Requirements Flexibility Extended for an Additional 30 Days

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.

This temporary guidance was set to expire August 18. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended this policy for an additional 30 days.

July 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

Immigration Law

Substantial transcription for video

FAQs: Covid-19/Coronavirus applying for B-2 status || Working from Canada on or off H-1b || How can I qualify for EB-1C/International Managers or Executives ||

OTHER: STEM OPT EAD || Travel on I-539 || AC21 portability || Day trading on H1b (I-140 approved) or on H4? || Can I withdraw the COS to H4 once my H1b is approved? || Green Card expiring, filing I-90? || Disorderly conduct arrest record in the I-485 form || Entry restrictions on visitor visa || Reckless ticket and oath ceremony || Immigration processing delays || Pay on H-4 EAD expiry || Travel to India while the i-539 application is pending ||

SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester

WASHINGTON – The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications Monday to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to publish the procedures and responsibilities in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule.

Temporary exemptions for the fall 2020 semester include: