Visa Bulletin – February 2019
The Department of State posted the visa bulletin for February today. USCIS has not yet advised whether it will accept adjustment of status petitions for family- or employment-based petitions based on the filing dates, rather than the final action dates.…
Mission Mexico Not Accepting Credit Cards
While many consulates across the globe accept payment by credit cards for visa application fees, Mission Mexico will continue to require fees be paid in cash at a bank in Mexico due to a high rate of credit card charge-backs.…
USCIS Announces Termination of Parole for Certain Individuals in Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
USCIS announced that, effective immediately, the categorical Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands parole programs are terminated. After any parole authorized through these programs expires, USCIS will not renew that parole. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/termination-categorical-parole-programs-certain-individuals-present-commonwealth-northern-mariana-islands-cnmi for more information.
Government Shutdown Implications (with updates)
USCIS - The current federal government shutdown will not affect USCIS’ fee-funded activities. Only limited programs will be affected by the shutdown, including E-Verify, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, Conrad 30 Waiver Program, and Non-Minister Religious Workers. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/lapse-federal-funding-does-not-impact-most-uscis-operations…
Federal Holiday Declared December 24th
USCIS offices will be closed on Monday, December 24th. President Trump declared that all federal departments and agencies are closed and all employees are excused from work that day. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-offices-closed-monday-white-house-executive-order for more information.
DHS Issues Statement that Individuals Arriving from Mexico Without Proper Documentation May be Returned to Mexico.
DHS announced that effective immediately, the United States will invoke INA section 235(b)(2)(C), and under the Migration Protection Protocols, undocumented individuals arriving in or entering the United States from Mexico may be returned to Mexico for the duration of their…
Update on USCIS Practice of Denying Pending Forms I-131 for Abandonment Due to International Travel
USCIS recently updated its website with information regarding the agency's practice of denying pending Form I-131 advance parole applications for abandonment due to international travel. Specifically, USCIS indicates on its website that if an applicant files Form I-131, Application for…
Court Grants Motion to Intervene and Sets Briefing Schedule in H-4 EAD Case
On December 17, 2018, in Save Jobs USA v. DHS, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion to intervene that Immigration Voice, a non-profit organization, filed with the court in March 2017. The court also ordered the case to be…
Visa Bulletin – January 2019
USCIS advised that it will accept adjustment of status petitions for family and employment-based petitions based on their filing dates, and not on the final action dates. See https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/when-file-your-adjustment-status-application-family-sponsored-or-employment-based-preference-visas-january-2019 for the updated information and the applicable January 2019 visa bulletin…
Visa Bulletin – January 2019
The Department of State posted the visa bulletin for January today. USCIS has not yet advised whether it will accept adjustment of status petitions for family- or employment-based petitions based on the filing dates, rather than the final action dates.…
Cap for H-2B Petitions Met for First Half of Year
USCIS has reached its congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the first half of the fiscal year 2019. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reaches-h-2b-cap-first-half-fy-2019 for more information.
Holiday Travel Reminder from CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a reminder for international travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to apply at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their international flight. See https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reminds-travelers-allow-72-hours-esta for more information.
USCIS Policy Memo for I-751 Interviews
USCIS issued a policy memo that provides guidance to USCIS officers on waiving the interview requirement for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-revises-interview-waiver-guidance-form-i-751 for more information.
Federal Holiday Declared for December 5th
President Trump has declared Wednesday, December 5th, a national day of mourning to remember the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. USCIS will reschedule all naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments set for…
USCIS Proposed Rule for H-1B Petitions
USCIS proposed rule that would require petitioners seeking to file H-1B petitions subject to the regular cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first electronically register with USCIS during a designated registration period. The proposed rule would…