Many noncitizens who are waiting for “Biden’s Immigration Plan” to become law are getting restless and losing hope. The reality is it’s not easy for a bill to become a law. In fact, Congress hasn’t passed major immigration legislation in decades.
On June 14, 2021, USCIS updated its policy manual to allow eligible U visa petitioners (victims of crime in the United States) access to employment authorization sooner. Currently, U visa petitioners are waiting approximately five years before receiving a determination that allows them access to an employment authorization document and grant of deferred action. Through this new process, USCIS...
On June 9, 2021, USCIS issued policy updates to improve the immigration system. Improvements are expected to continue under the Biden administration. USCIS is committed to modernizing the immigration system and operating it in a fair, efficient, and humane manner. Expedited Processing USCIS provided further guidance on when expedited processing may be warranted. Please see our post regarding...
Update June 18, 2021 If you have experienced a delayed rejection of your immigration filing which you are unable to refile due to no longer being eligible for the immigration benefit requested, please pay attention to the current flexibilities offered by USCIS. These filing flexibilities are effective for 60 days from June 10, 2021, until August 9, 2021. Refiling Eligibility You may refile your...
Update August 17, 2021 USCIS issued another reminder that the deadline to submit green card applications for Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) from eligible Liberians and their immediate family members is December 20, 2021. Q. What are the requirements for a family member to adjust status based on LRIF? A. To adjust based on LRIF, each family member must: Properly file his...
When working on a beneficiary's H-1B extension, I-140, or I-485 filing, we would send a checklist to the beneficiary listing information and documents that we need to prepare the petition or application. One of the items listed is a copy of the most recent I-94. We often encounter a situation where the beneficiary is shocked to find out that their I-94 has already expired after downloading it...
The Supreme Court just handed down a decision that will deflate the hope of filing for green card (while present in the U.S.) for about 400,000 individuals in the U.S. with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The case concerns the plight of Jose Sanchez who with his wife and three children entered the US illegally in 1997. His fourth child was born in the U.S. and is a U.S. Citizen. In 2001, after...
The following can be accessed from the CIS ombudsman's office. Topics include reaching tech support, scheduling biometrics appointments, expedite requests, and more. Q1. What happens if a caller needs assistance in a language other than English or Spanish? A1. We continue to evaluate the need to provide services in additional languages. Currently, if the caller needs assistance in a...
On May 28, 2021, USCIS issued additional clarifications in its policy alert that certain veterans who served and were honorably discharged from the military but are not lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may file an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) to naturalize under INA 329 even if they are currently residing outside the United States. The policy guidance also clarifies that...
Update 08/18/2021 DOS updated its FAQ regarding the extension of validity to 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kington, Ireland, and India. Update Post 07/07/2021 The DOS on 06/29/2021 extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIEs)...
