NOTE: Although the rule was supposed to take effect on October 2, a court in the Northern District of California ruled on September 29 that USCIS cannot implement the new fees or new forms at this time. This could change at…
The U.S. Government can only give out a limited number of Green Cards (or Immigrant Visas or visa numbers) every year: 226,000 for Family-Based immigrants and; 140,000 for Employment-Based immigrants. The law limitshow many can be used for each country and each category. However, there may be additional visas in some fiscal years, as some unused visa numbers from the prior fiscal year can get carried over to the next fiscal year. The U.S.Government uses the Visa Bulletin to keep track of visa numbers and to give you a tool to determine when you can file your case and when your case can be approved. TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW TO USE DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S (DOS) VISA BULLETIN Priority Date: The “Received Date” of I-130 or I-140 Immigrant Petition at USCIS. (One exception is if your I-140 is based on a Labor Certification, then it’s the LC…
On September 30, 2020 the President signed H.R. 8337, while the law takes effect immediately, the increased fees and expanded availability of premium processing will not take effect until USCIS is able to implement them. The bill: Expands premium processing…
H-1B applicants: For travel as a public health or healthcare professional, or researcher to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to conduct ongoing medical research in an area with a substantial public health benefit (e.g. cancer or communicable disease…
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has heard reports that USCIS may be selecting more H-1B registrations for the FY2021 cap as early as this week, and that a new H-1B filing period may be opening August 17 through mid-November, 2020.
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit,12th day of August, 2002 ORDERED that the injunction entered by the District Court on July 29, 2020 is stayed with respect to all states other than those within the Second Circuit: Connecticut,…
★★★ The executive order requires: A. The head of every executive department and agency (agency) to review, contracts (including subcontracts) awarded by the agency in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to check: (i) If contractors (including subcontractors) used temporary foreign…
DHS has agreed to fully rescind the July 6, 2020, ICE guidance and July 7, 2020, Frequently Asked Questions, and rescind all implementing guidance. The status quo based upon the agency’s March 13, 2020, guidance will remain in force.
The proclamation effective from June 24th 2020: Continues the earlier Proclamation 10014 limiting the entry into the U.S. with an immigrant visa until December 31, 2020. Suspends entry on an H-1B or H-2B visa, and any accompanying H-4 family members…
Following litigation USCIS entered a settlement agreement on May 20, 2020 with the IT serve Alliance (an association of IT services, staffing and Consulting organizations.) In accordance with the settlement agreement, on June 17th, 2020 USCIS rescinded these policy memorandums: Determining…
