Update August 18, 2021 The USCIS has updated its website to clarify that: if an I-485 applicant receives a Request for Evidence (“RFE”) for a new I-693 medical exam because the I-693 on file with USCIS is over two years old, but the applicant’s I-693 on file with USCIS is valid under the temporary extension to four years and they otherwise meet the requirements, then the applicant should...
Update August 18, 2021 We responded to one I-693 RFE on 08/16/2021. Green card was approved today, 08/18/2021. Please respond to I-693 RFEs ASAP! It does not seem like USCIS is working hard to approve I-485s before 10/01/2021. Original Post August 10, 2021 On or around August 3, 2021, some of our clients informed us that they received an odd text from USCIS requesting that they submit I-693...
On August 5, 2021, USCIS updated its guidance on children born outside of the U.S. and for children born through assisted reproductive technology (ART). USCIS will consider a child to be born in wedlock when their legal parents are married to one another at the time of birth and at least one of the legal parents has a genetic or gestational relationship to the child. USCIS considers the...
Update Post 09/28/2021 Original Post 08/10/2021 USCIS announced on August 9, 2021 that a new Form I-485 (edition date 03/29/2021) will allow applicants to apply for social security number (SSN) or a replacement SSN card. Previously, applicants had to apply for SSN at their local Social Security Office and may require multiple trips. The new form contains the following new section regarding SSN:...
On August 5, 2021, President Biden signed a memorandum to defer for 18 months the removal of Hong Kong residents present in the United States. This decision was based on China's "continued assault on Hong Kong's autonomy, undermining its remaining democratic processes and institutions, imposing limits on academic freedom, and cracking down on freedom of the press." President Biden stated...
USCIS no longer accepts written requests. Reschedule requests must now be made via the USCIS Contact Center by calling 1-800-375-5283. Your request to reschedule must: 1) be made before and time of the original appointment and 2) establish good cause for rescheduling. Please also see a sample recent biometrics appt notice without the option to mail in rescheduling requests.
On July 16, 2021, a district court in Texas ruled against DACA and found it to be unlawful. It's important to highlight that the decision only affects first-time filers. Existing DACA holders may continue to renew their DACAs and pending renewal application will continue to be processed. Both the White House and the DOJ have expressed intent to appeal the decision. Current state of DACA as of...
Update 10/13/2021 Update 08/11/2021 Two more examples of extremely long wait times for biometrics appointment notice. An I-485 FB was filed on 09/03/2020. Biometrics Appt notice was issued 9 months later.An I-751 was filed on 12/17/2020. Biomtrics Appoint notice arrived 8 months later. Update 08/04/2021 Another example of a late biometrics appointment. I-90 was filed in September 2020....
On July 16, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new mailing address for its Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Atlanta National Processing Center (ANPC) which will become effective on August 25, 2021. What this means for PERM cases, specifically PERM recruitment, is that the notice of filing must show the new address starting September 5, 2021. The new address is: U.S....
On July 21, 2021, USCIS made the following announcement regarding the availability of online filing for certain TPS applicants. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that certain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants can now file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, online.TPS applicants submitting an initial registration application may apply for TPS...
