Priority date retrogression -- consequences and concerns (Updated 10 April 2012)

The current prediction that the priority dates for employment based green card applications are likely to retrogress again has brought a lot of speculation and questions from our clients and our community. Let me clarify some of the questions and concerns.

Q. What happens if my priority date ('PD') retrogresses while my I-485 is still pending?

Accreditation of distance education for EB-2

Substantial transcription for video

Topic:  Accreditation of Distance Education in USA

Date:  March 12, 2012

Total Time:  2 mintues 40 seconds

Hello, everyone.  This is Rajiv S. Khanna for the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, P.C, immigration.com.

A number of people have asked me this question in the last few days about how do they tell, if they finish a masters degree online through distance education in the U.S., how do they know if the degree is accredited?

I have looked into this issue because it became such a big issue for people, especially those who are born in countries where EB-3 is very backed up and EB-2 is a much better option.

So I did some review.  This is the best of my knowledge.  I am not an expert in accreditations, but what I see is this.  On the screen in front of you, you see this page where they talk about accrediting agencies recognized for distance education and correspondence education.

This is a page on the Department of Education website.   

http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg10.html

Let me backtrack for a second.

First thing you do is ask the school where you want to go whether the particular program you want to do is accredited and, if so, who accredits it.  In other words, the accreditation agency that is accrediting it.  Get the name, and see if that name appears on this list right here.

Sometimes a particular program or a particular degree might be accredited, but not the whole school, and sometimes vice versa.  So be careful--make sure that particular program is covered by the accreditation.

Good luck to you folks and if you have further questions, log in to the community conference call or we can talk a little bit on the blog itself.

 

I-485 FAQ

The following questions were asked in today's community conference call. I feel the answers should be of use use to many folks.

Important updates for business and employment-based immigration

In a welcome move, US government is showing some understanding of the economic benefits of business and employment-based immigration.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas have outlined a series of policy, operational, and outreach efforts to fuel the nation's economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent of exceptional ability or who otherwise can create jobs, form startup companies, and invest capital in areas of high unemployment.

USCIS Investigation Questions

Following is a list of questions recently asked by a USCIS investigator of an H-1B employee working at a client site. If you are a member of our compliance group of employers, attend the free conference call scheduled for employers only on 7th July 2011. Membership in the group is by invitation only.

1. What is your name?
2. Can see your ID card?
3. How long you are in US?
4. Have you been visited your home country?
5. Who are you currently employed with?
6. How long have you been with your employer?
7. What is your job title?
8. What are your wages?

H-4 Visa and Status Validity

Here is a question from clients.immigration.com, our clients-only extranet.:

Hi Rajiv
My husband has changed his job and his H1-B is being transferred. I am on H4 visa with valid stamp till 04/30/2012

My questions :
1. Do i have to also apply with him for H4 transfer ? Or should I be able to contd on valid status as my current H4 visa is valid ?
2. If I have to travel out of the country , can I travel with my current H4 visa stamp ? or should I have to re-stamp it with my husband's new I-797 for new company ?