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USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Certain Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month.
Effective June 1, 2020, USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for all eligible Form I-140 petitions.
USCIS Begins Implementing New Interactive Voice Response Telephone System
USCIS is introducing a new interactive voice response (IVR) telephone system today for English and Spanish calls to the USCIS Contact Center. The new IVR system personalizes the caller’s experience by giving the caller the ability to:
USCIS Publishes Interim Final Rule Implementing the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018
Rule creates new requirements for CNMI employers to protect U.S. workers
DHS Offers Flexibilities to Increase Food Security, Stabilize U.S. Supply Chain During COVID-19
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2B requirements to help support the U.S. food supply chain, maintain essential infrastructure operations and reduce the impact from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
Military Personnel and Veterans Can Now File Their Form N-400, Naturalization Application, Online
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that U.S. service members and veterans can now file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, online.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30 to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain:
May 14, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
FAQs:
- Covid Coronavirus: H-B during Covid, H-1B not sure if I am laid off, LCA/H-1B amendments, and travel during H-1B
- H-1B start own business or invest
- Promotion after getting the green card
- Extraordinary circumstance EAD
- Extension of tourist stay during Covid
- H-1B delayed entry
May 28, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 28 May 2020:
FAQ: Applying for I-485 through a past employer or through a new employer || L-1A moving back to home country with green card pending || Can green card be applied for an old job under the international manager EB1C category? || Applying for naturalization/citizenship under Trump administration || Effect on H-1B of working from outside the USA || Laid off while green card is pending
Other: Porting priority date from EB-2 two EB-1C as international manager || J-1 gap in status/O-1 visa || H-1 RFE converting to H-4 || Amendment or extension timing || Nunc pro tunc or consular processing of H-1B || H-4 extensions || OPT and CPT times || International adoption procedures || F-1 student working in the USA for a foreign company, etc.
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.
Guestbook Entry for Alexander S., United States
DHS Announces Re-designation and 18-Month Extension of Designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has re-designated Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and has extended the existing TPS designation for Somalia from Sept. 18, 2012 through March 17, 2014, allowing eligible nationals of Somalia to register or re-register for TPS in accordance with the Federal Register notice.
PERM Processing Dates (as of 4/2/2012)
According to DOL updates as of 4/2/2012, they are working on PERM application filed in the following months:
Analyst Reviews: January 2012
Audits: September 2011
Reconsideration Requests to the CO: March 2011
Gov’t Error Reconsiderations: Current
Green Card
Immigration Law
My experience!
Appointment: 9:40am
Arrived around 9:15am, there were about 50people in the waiting area, checked in with the receptionist, and sat down for my interview. 30mins, 45mins, 60mins, 90MINS went by still no one called my name. Finally someone around 11am called me, so walked all the way down to the other end of the hallway.
After the formalities, I was asked if I had brought anything that I hadn't already submitted, I handed him proof of selective service registration.
I was asked the following questions:
1. What is one promise you make when you become a USC?
Citizenship and Naturalization
Finally!
Just wanted to share my timeline and some lessons learned. The whole process took a little over 6 months and now I'm a citizen of the United States of America.
Final Timeline:
06/06/11: Mailed N-400 (Dallas lock box) Priority Mail from NoVA
06/07/11: USCIS received date
06/23/11: NOA received, FP scheduled for 07/20/11
07/20/11: FP done - walk-in at scheduled time
08/19/11: YL received
11/14/11: Online change of status to testing and interview
11/16/11: IL received & Status changed twice
12/21/11: Interview
12/23/11: Oath ceremony
CBP Alexandria Bay Announces Opening of Cape Vincent Port
Alexandria Bay, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations today announced the opening of the Cape Vincent port of entry. Cape Vincent is a seasonal port and will be open from May 1 until Oct. 31. The CBP hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.