Update on USCIS Furlough of Employees
USCIS has issued furlough notices to 70% of its workforce at the end of June. USCIS is a for profit agency that uses application [...]
USCIS rescinded 2 policy memoranda related to H-1B visa
On June 17, 2020 USCIS rescinded 2 Policy Memoranda related to H-1 visa. This blog post will focus on 2 areas that were impacted [...]
What is I-944 form? What evidence do I have to submit with the I-944 form? When do I have to submit the I-944 form?
The I-944 form is used by a green card applicant to demonstrate that he/she is not inadmissible based on the public charge ground of [...]
I changed my status in the U.S. from B-1 to E-2. Can my spouse apply for an E-2 visa at a Consulate abroad if I was never issued an E-2 visa?
Let’s analyze the following scenario: you came to the U.S. on a B-1 visa and filed a Change of Status application with USCIS asking [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Extends RFE and NOID Flexibility Dates until September
USCIS announced on March 27 that it is adopting measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFE) or [...]
USCIS Planning to Furlough 70 Percent of Employees
A USCIS spokesperson has announced that the agency is planning to furlough nearly 70% of its workforce as it faces budget shortfalls as a [...]
USCIS Removes 30 Day Guarantee Processing for Work Authorization for Asylum Applicants
USCIS has announced today that the 30-day guarantee processing for work authorization cards for asylum applicants has been removed. The proposal was first announced [...]
USCIS Resumes Naturalization Ceremonies
After halting all in person interviews and naturalization ceremonies for 3 months since March amid the coronavirus pandemic, USCIS has resumed naturalization ceremonies last [...]
USCIS to Resume Premium Processing for Applications in Phases
USCIS has announced today that they will resume premium processing for Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for [...]
USCIS Preparing to Resume In Person Services on June 4
USCIS is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume public services on or after June 4, 2020. Due to the social distancing rules [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Extends Flexibility for Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
USCIS has extended the flexibility for applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFE), or notices of intent to deny (NOID), [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Office Preparing to Reopen on June 4
USCIS has announced today that it is planning to reopen local offices on June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended all in-person services [...]
Coronavirus Update: FY 2021 H-1B Cap Petition Processing Will be Delayed Due to the Coronavirus
USCIS has announced on April 13 that due to the Coronavirus outbreak and for health and safety reasons, they will not begin to perform [...]
Summary of the Changes to U.S. Immigration as a result of the Coronavirus Outbreak
USCIS, ICE, DOJ, DHS, and CPB have enacted many changes in the last months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below summarizes the [...]
USCIS Extends RFE and NOID Flexibility to Regional Center Notice of Intent to Terminate
USCIS has announced on March 27 that it is adopting measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFE) [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS to Reuse Previously Submitted Biometrics to Process Work Permit Applications
USCIS has announced that they will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid work permit application extension requests due to the closure [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at least May 3
On March 17, 2020, USCIS temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASC) to help slow the [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Announces Flexibility for Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
USCIS has announced today that it is adopting measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFE) or notices [...]
USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at Least April 7
On March 17, 2020, USCIS temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASC) to help slow the [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Temporarily Closes Offices in Rome and Nairobi to the Public
USCIS has announced on March 25, 2020 that it has temporarily closed its offices in Rome, Italy and Nairobi, Kenya to the public due [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Announced Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions
USCIS has announced today, March 20, the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and Form I-140 petitions until [...]
H-1B Electronic Registration Closes Today!
At noon EST on March 20, the initial registration period for FY 2021 H-1B lottery selection will close. All registrations must be properly submitted [...]
Permanent Injunction on Unlawful Presence Rule for Students and Exchange Visitors
On February 6, 2020, a federal district judge has issued a permanent injunction to prevent USCIS from implementing the May 2018 Unlawful Presence Rule [...]
What is a transfer of underlying basis request? What factors does USCIS consider when adjudicating the transfer requests for Green Cards?
Let’s analyze the following scenario: Your employer filed an employment based petition (I-140) and you filed an Adjustment of Status application based on the [...]
New DHS Public Charge Rule to Take Effect on February 24
On January 27, 2020, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction blocking the new public charge rule initially slotted to take effect on October [...]
E-2 approval with USCIS for a Grocery Store & Restaurant Owner
We just had an E-2 approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicant was granted 2 years in E-2 status and the business [...]
USCIS Issues Guidance on “Terms of Imprisonment or a Sentence” for Good Moral Character Determinations
One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show [...]
USCIS Further Expands Guidance on Good Moral Character Requirement
One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show [...]
E-3 Visa Approval for a Senior Recruiter at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney for a National of Australia
We just had an E-3 visa approval for an Australian national at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney. The applicant will be working for a [...]
Premium Processing Fee to Increase on December 2
Fees for Form I-907 Premium Processing will increase from the current $1410 to $1440 on December 2. Premium Processing Service means that USCIS will [...]
What is Premium Processing Service? When can I file for Premium Processing? How much is the fee for Premium Processing?
Premium Processing Service means that USCIS will issue a decision (approval, denial, Request for Evidence, or Notice of Intent to deny) within 15 calendar [...]
Government to Process Deferred Action Cases Again After Backlash
The government announced on Monday that it will process recently denied deferred action cases from seriously ill immigrants who are currently undergoing life saving [...]
USCIS Proposes New Rule Eliminating 30-Day Guarantee Processing for Work Authorization for Asylum Applicants
USCIS announced a proposed regulation to change the process for granting or denying an initial application for employment authorization documents (EADs) by reforming the [...]
E-3 Visa Approval in Barbados
Scott Legal, P.C. just had an approval of an E-3 visa at the U.S. Consulate in Barbados. An E-3 visa is a visa that [...]
E-2 Extension of Status Approval with USCIS for a Marketing Consulting Company for a National of Bangladesh
We just had an E-2 investor extension of status approved through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The applicant is a National of Bangladesh and was granted a [...]
