Topics Discussed, Thursday, 3 December 2015:
FAQ: How to calculate dates from visa bulletin; FAQ: What is I-485 Preadjudicate/Preadjudication? How soon must I join my future green card employer? Immigration implications of crime; petty offense exception; admissions and convictions; 212(d)(3) and other waivers; Naturalization delays; Birth certificate late registration and secondary evidence; H-1 status pregnancy and FMLA;
Other: Conversion from H-1 to H-4 to H-1 visa stamping; Vaccinations requirements for immigration; Is there a charge for I-140 revocation; H-4 EAD issues including travel and visa stamping; F-1 OPT eligibility; Changing employers I-140, I-485, H-1 issues; Changing employers effect on priority date and H-4 EAD; F-1 status – distance of home from college; H-1 quota where earlier approved then came on F-1; H-1 telecommuting; H-1 quota and stay calculation, etc.
Topics Discussed, Thursday, 17 December 2015:
FAQ: Can TN work on 1099 as independent contractor; Difference between I-140 withdrawn and revoked;
Other: H-1 quota exemption; H-1B denial; H-1B how to file Form DS-160; I-140 revoked, refiling; H-1 L-1 221(g); I-130 processing; I-485 approval while COS pending; I-90 to renew green card; Misrepresentation in visa/ESTA; Contract for B-1/B-2 visa for domestic help from foreign country; Getting H-1 extension I-140 revoked, refiled; DV lottery (NOT my area of expertise); H-1 change of location; Does H-4 extension also extend H-4 visa stamp automatically? I-140 recapture or port priority date; Travelling while STEM extension pending.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 17 November 2016:
FAQ: Refused entry 212(d)(3) waivers; L-1A for functional managers; Leaving employer after getting a green card; Changes in immigration after Trump.
Other: AOS for out of status; Giving and receiving money on H-1B visa/status; Name error in I-140; Medicaid for parents; Translations; Functional managers on L-1A; Denial of I-130; Losing green card; Amending H-1 is vendor changes; H-1 visa revocation; H-1B extension beyond 6 years; Priority date transfer; H-1 visa stamping; F-1 OPT based upon an employer who was not joined, etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 1 December 2016:
FAQ: New I-140 EAD regulations -- Extending H-1 after I-140 revocation, retaining priority dates under new regulations, per country limits, EAD under the new regulations; effective date of new regulations; Visa cancelled CWOP, 214(b) denial; FAQ: Implications of joining an end client where H-1B employer objects, H-1B employer not paying salary - DOL Wage and Hour Division Complaint WH-4; AC21 green card portability, "same or similar" job under old/new regulations, working on 1099 as contractor; Frequency of visits and duration of stay on tourist/visitors/B-1/B-2 visa; Foreign Medical Graduates, Physicians, H-1B for part time jobs, concurrent cap and cap exempt H-1B employment.
Other: Consular processing green card through future employer; Can one start H-1B job before the requested start date? Court orders for migration of child by divorced parent; H-2B extension, denial, 240-day rule; Volunteering on F-1 OPT; Aging out; Name errors on green card; Humanitarian parole, H-1B change of status, etc.
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
FAQ H-4 EAD Issues:
Travel while EAD is pending; filing I-539 with I-765; I-140 withdrawal
Discussed: CSPA for EB-3 to EB-2; H-1B amendments; Marriage on B-2 visa/H-4; Consequences of travel without advance parole; Following to join process; H-1B liquidated damages contracts; Moving temporarily abroad while I-485 is pending; Relocation while green card is pending; Checking which MSA we are in; What is an H-1 amendment? Getting student visa while green card pending; L-2 EAD, etc.
Discussed: FAQ: Refiling I-140 using old PERM (after 180 days);
Calculating recapture time for H-1; Form I-864, affidavit of support; maintaining green card; green card for parents; H-4 EAD; L-1 to F-1 to H-1; H-1 COS denial; simultaneously filing H-1 amendment and extension; H-1B amendment out of status; starting business on H-1; appeal/MTR against H-1 denial; marriage on B-1/B-2 visa; OPT eligibility; medical insurance; eligibility for naturalization; eligibility for EB-1C green card;
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 30 June 2016:
FAQ: Can one work during H-4 EAD renewal; Can a green card applicant (sibling of US citizen) remain in USA while green card is processed; Proving ties to home country for tourist visa; Can I look for a job while EAD is still pending;
Other: Remedy against a US citizen spouse; entering USA on green card, how long must I work with employer, maintaining green card; H-4 visa stamping problems; CSPA protection; Getting status updates on PERM; Effect on visa stamping of 30-day gap in status; Revocation of I-140 and priority date; Applying for OPT while H-1 is pending; New visa required or not if I change H-1 employers; AC21 options for EB-1C executive/manager; 3 year extension of H-1 through a new company based upon I-140 approval; etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 14 July 2016:
FAQ: Priority date transfer across several companies; J-1 holder getting married to a US citizen; H-4 EAD when I-140 approved through a future employer; Automatic Visa Revalidation and H-1B amendments; Withdrawing I-485 AOS of spouse.
Other: Medicals RFE not received; Changing from H-1/H-4 to green card; Converting from H-1 to F-1 back to H-1; I-140 approved changing jobs; Pending I-140 EAD regulations; Mutiple green card petitions through future employers; Legal repercussions of deportation, N-400 record expunged, cannot obtain copies; US citizen applying for parent; Passport correction; H-1 company bankrupt; etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 26 January 2017:
FAQ: Traveling after applying for naturalization/citizenship pending; "Retroactive" effect of the new regulations; would H-4 EAD remain valid if I-140 is withdrawn; Serial H-1 transfers with multiple employers - H-1 transfers while another H-1 pending; What types of marriages in foreign countries are considered legal in the USA; Can an I-485 be filed without the help of an employer; FAQ: Impact on H-1 and green card of employer company's bankruptcy; FAQ: Impact of child turning 21 - green card, H-4, F-1; Delay in naturalization; Travel During H-1B Transfer/Extension Pending; Starting a nonprofit organization while on H-1 visa; H-1B expiring, PERM not filed, options; Trump and employment based immigration.
Other: Quota exemption from H-1 because of prior approval; Changing roles impact on PERM green card; Impact on green card of changing jobs; I-131/N-470 for children; etc.
On Jan. 17, 2017, a new rule, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers” amending DHS regulations went into effect. The regulatory amendments provide for the automatic extension of the validity periods of certain Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-766) for up to 180 days if the employee:
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 9 February 2017:
FAQ: Extension of H-1 beyond six years, gap in H-1, late in filing PERM, etc; How can a US green card holder study abroad without losing their green card? || Automatic EAD extension, I-485 EAD; US Citizen applying for green card for brother or sister; How do we keep up with the rumors and changes in the laws; Should I travel outside the USA/H-1B visa stamping; When is an H-1B amendment required? || Job promotions during AC21 portability of green card; Impact of I-140 approval after 180 days, etc.
Other: Spouse of US citizen filing for naturalization; Following to join; Executive Order against criminal aliens; Change of status from L-2 to H-1B, remainder option, H-1 quota; Qualifying for OP after studying on H-4 visa, etc. || Starting green card from the I-485 stage; Going to home country for an extended period of time while green card is pending; Company going out of business during green card; Entry and reentry on visitors visa, etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 23 February 2017:
FAQ: The new regulations, withdrawal of I-40, H-1 extensions; Will H-4 EAD Rule be revoked? || Can pending immigration applications be affected by changes in the law?|| Entering the USA on B-1/B-2 visa to get married; Misdemeanor conviction effect under Trump executive order; Legal rights/benefits of Green Card compared to H1B; Using for green card experience gained with end client; Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) traveling to Canada.
Other: PERM advertising requirements, salary; Does CSPA protect based upon an old I-140/PERM? || L-1A eligibility if visiting the USA frequently; Reopening abandoned green card case; I-140 revocation for errors; Changing from H-1 to H-4 while transfer is pending; H-4EAD and back to H-1; EB-1A for a computer professional; Consular processing of green card; Effect of affidavit of support; Counting H-1B period while COS is pending; etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 9 March 2017:
FAQ: Revoke H-4 EAD regulation; Joining a company other than green card sponsor; staying abroad after green card - reentry permit; Green card holder staying abroad for more than 6 months; Medical problems/diseases that can cause issues in green card; Impact of the new I-140 regulations; Physician FMG applying for Cap H-1 through a cap exempt employer; Compelling circumstances EAD.
How to find out if my I-140 has been revoked, etc; AC21, changing jobs, when to file Supplement J;
Other: Correcting errors on I-140 approval; Revocation of I-140 and approval of H-1 extension; H-1 converting to B-1/B-2; Green card staying outside the USA for more than 6 months; Changing jobs after I-140 approval - priority date; H-1 extension when I-140 is denied, H-4 EAD, etc; Filling for N-400; I-130 returned to USCIS by consulate; Compelling circumstances EAD for child being sick; CSPA in family-based applications; etc.
FAQ: US Citizen applying for Green Card for visiting family member (spouse/parents); Birth and Marriage Certificate Issues; FAQ: Getting nanny/domestic help from India; FAQ: After getting Green Card - how long do you have to stay with your employer.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 20 October 2016:
FAQ: H-1B or Green Card changing job roles, How soon should I-485 be filed once dates are current; Changing jobs while a quota H-1 is pending; Changing jobs after I-140 approval; Applying for reentry permit; Filing a PERM based green card through a company owned or managed by a relative; Filing green card while on student visa F-1;
Other: How soon can I go for H-1 visa stamping; Does CBP officer at the airport have the right to search belongings, cell phone, etc? Large medical treatment bill; Green card for a nurse; Visitors/Tourist visa reentry; Using experience under PERM as a contractor; EB-1C if I have been in the USA already for three years; Traveling while H-1B amendment is pending; Applying for H-4 EAD; H-1B remainder option; Applying for tourist/visitors visa after having applied for green card; Factors affecting EB-1 green card; H-1 holder leaving USA for medical reasons.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 3 November 2016:
FAQ: Impact on H-1 if converting to H-4 EAD; FAQ: TN work for multiple employers; Legal name change process in the USA.
Other: I-751 - removal proceedings NTA; Premium H-1 extension while H-1 amendment is pending; TN working concurrently on two jobs; TN applying for H-1, quota exemption; Impact on green card, I-140 if changing employers; Date of birth errors; F-1 reinstatement and H-1 pending at the same time; Change of status to TN; CSPA for consular processing; Priority date transfer; EB-2 PERM filing; L-1 stock ownership; Receiving bonus checks from end clients while working through H-1 employer; Refiling PERM if job has changed; Going to school if a green card is pending, etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, January 23, 2020
FAQ: Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges || Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration || Impact of 214(b) denial || Requirements for obtaining green card under EB-1C, International Managers and Executives ||
OTHER: NVC fees issues || USC relocating to India while green card petition for parents is pending || Is original I-140 approval required for priority date transfer? || Effect of subsequent H-1B, H-4 approval on current H-1B, H-4 case || Additional review of a pending I-140, delay || USCIS processing times estimate || 221(g) Administrative processing for H-1B visa || CSPA logistical problems || Carrying cash in and out of the USA || Incorrect DS-160 || List of cap exempt employers || Naturalization of children
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.