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USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
USCIS Implements Two Decisions from the Attorney General on Good Moral Character Determinations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced new policy guidance (PDF, 404 KB) implementing two decisions from the attorney general regarding how two or more DUI convictions affect good moral character (GMC) requirements and how post-sentencing changes to criminal sentences affect convictions and sentences for immigration purposes.
USCIS Expands Guidance Related to Naturalization Requirement of Good Moral Character
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services expanded its policy guidance (PDF, 290 KB) regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character (GMC) requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may render an applicant ineligible for naturalization should the act be found to adversely reflect on moral character.
PERM Processing Times (as of 10/31/2019)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | July 2019 |
| Audit Review | February 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2019 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Dec 12, 2019 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, December 12, 2019
FAQ: Change in green card job responsibilities and/or job title during the process || Variation in H-1B job approved and actually performed || How far ahead of job or petition start date can I apply for H-1B visa stamping? || Parents’ birth certificates || Must we maintain H-1 or L-1 status while I-485 is pending? || Consequences of losing my job on H-1B and revocation of I-140 || Does withdrawing a timely filed application/petition with the USCIS lead to unlawful presence? ||
OTHER: Naturalization interview canceled || Expediting I-485 || Risks of changing jobs while I-485 is pending -- AC21 || Traveling while H-1B extension is pending || Discrepancy in names || Applying for green card for parents, etc. || Visas for same-sex partners from countries where such marriage is not allowed || H-1B for small companies, etc.
Visa Bulletin - January 2020
Visa Bulletin For January 2020
Number 37
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Rajiv's News Clips - US Senators say no voting on S-386 Bill as of now
Published by : ETtech From the Economic Times - Article by: Priyanka Sangani - Date: December 20, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
Update on Travel by Temporary Protected Status Beneficiaries In Removal Proceedings
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the effect of travel outside the United States by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries who are subject to removal proceedings.
DOL Publishes FAQs On H-1B, H-1B1 And E-3 Programs
The Department has posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 Programs.
USCIS Issues Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees
Release Date
01/03/2023
WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. The new fees would allow USCIS to more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of future case backlogs. USCIS receives approximately 96 percent of its funding from filing fees, not from congressional appropriations.
USCIS Releases New Immigrant Investor Form
Release Date
01/04/2023
USCIS has published Form I-956K, Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 added the requirement for direct and third-party promoters to register with USCIS.
Each person acting as a direct or third-party promoter (including migration agents) of the following must complete Form I-956K:
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 Updated Forms - G-1055 and I-956K
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
01/04/2023 01:59 PM EST
Edition Date: 01/04/23. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page.
Form I-956K, Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters
09/07/2022 12:45 PM EDT
Edition Date: 09/07/22. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Recording for January 05, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics
FAQ: Effect of typos on immigration documents || Concerns about EB-1C Green Card Portability || Who is required to pay for an EB-1C Green Card? || Can too many parking tickets affect Green Card or Citizenship process? ||
USCIS Forms Update - Form I-134
USCIS recently updated the following form.
Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support
01/04/2023 09:24 AM EST
Edition Date: 01/04/23. Starting March 6, 2023, USCIS will only accept the 01/04/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 10/18/22 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Before 04/25/22, this form was called Form I-134, Affidavit of Support.
USCIS Reaches FY 2011 H-1B Cap
Jan. 27, 2011
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2011. USCIS is notifying the public that yesterday, Jan. 26, 2011, is the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY2011.
USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion for EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions and Future Expansion for F-1 Students Seeking OPT and Certain Student and Exchange Visitors
Release Date
01/12/2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing the final phase of the premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications.
Visa Bulletin For February 2023
Number 74
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/31/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | April 2022 |
| Audit Review | January 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2022 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
AAO Processing Times (October - December 2022)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 69.69% | 848 | |
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 66.67% | 3 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 100% | 14 |
| I-129H1B |
Immigration Law
USCIS Announces Beta-testing Of VIBE Tool
| Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) Program |
Introduction
The Web-based Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) is a tool designed to enhance USCIS’s adjudications of certain employment-based immigration petitions. VIBE uses commercially available data to validate basic information about companies or organizations petitioning to employ alien workers. USCIS is beta-testing VIBE, and petitioners may begin seeing VIBE-related Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
USCIS Reminds Petitioners to Complete Part 6 of Form I-129
In November 2010, USCIS published a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, which became effective on Dec. 23, 2010. Due to a number of inquiries regarding Part 6 of the Form I-129, "Certification Regarding the Release of Controlled Technology or Technical Data to Foreign Persons in the United States", USCIS advised petitioners that they would not be required to complete this section until Feb. 20, 2011. Petitions postmarked on or after Feb. 20, 2011, must complete Part 6 of the Form I-129.
Statement of Intent Regarding Filing Requirement for Attorneys and Accredited Representatives Participating in Group Assistance Events
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports the efforts of immigration practitioners who volunteer to assist aliens at community events. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, until further notice, DHS Disciplinary Counsel does not intend to initiate disciplinary proceedings against practitioners (attorneys and accredited representatives) based solely on the failure to submit a Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative (Form G-28) in relation to pro bono services provided at group assistance events.