Breaking News

This category is updated daily on interesting U.S. immigration news pertaining to family immigration, employment immigration and other immigration issues. The updates are meant to quickly keep our readers aware of the ever changing immigration laws and all the related aspects. For more information check our entire website on specific topics. Note that this blog does not cover all aspects of immigration news.

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USCIS to Continue Implementing New Policy Memorandum on Notices to Appear

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is continuing to implement the June 28, 2018, Policy Memorandum (PM), Updated Guidance for the Referral of Cases and Issuance of Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Cases Involving Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens (PDF, 140 KB). Starting Nov. 19, 2018, USCIS may issue NTAs as described below based on denials of I-914/I-914A, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status; I-918/I-918A, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status; I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions); I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions when the…Read More Breaking News

USCIS planning to increase premium fees from $1225 to $1410 as from October 1 2018

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the premium processing fee charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS is increasing the fee by 14.92 percent, the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last adjusted in 2010 according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The adjustment increases the fee from $1,225 to $1,410. DATES: This rule is effective on [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. Applications postmarked on or after that date must include the new fee." Here is…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Extends and Expands Suspension of Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions to Reduce Delays

Announcement from USCIS: USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions and, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions. We expect these suspensions will last until Feb. 19, 2019, and will notify the public via uscis.gov before resuming premium processing for these petitions. While H-1B premium processing is suspended, we will reject any Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service filed with an affected Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. If a petitioner submits one combined…Read More Breaking News

The Government confirms that they are in the process of removing H4 EAD

Again another twist in the H4 EAD situation. In an answer to the lawsuit brought by Save Jobs USA against H4 EAD or H4 Work permit, the government confirms that it is actually working on the 'reversal' of the H4 EAD rules passed by the Obama Administration in 2015. The answer reads in part "...Final clearance review of the proposed rule is ongoing, and senior levels of the department are actively considering the terms of the NPRM for approval...." and also they mention that their position remains unchanged which basically means they want…Read More Breaking News

STEM OPT Third party placement allowed again subject to conditions

This suddenly appeared on the USCIS website on Friday August 17 2018 Clarification of STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations USCIS is updating the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of our website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participating in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must report material changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the earliest opportunity by submitting a modified Form I-983. Employers must report the STEM OPT student’s termination of employment or departure to the DSO within five business days.…Read More Breaking News

A group of Organizations wrote to Congress about the present Memos coming from the USCIS.

Aug. 14, 2018 letter to Senators Grassley, Feinstein - "We the undersigned representing higher and international education, business, immigration, and human rights organizations are alarmed by what appears to be a comprehensive plan of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to target legal immigrants through reinterpretation of long-standing immigration law and policy. USCIS has released a series of guidance memos that will have the effect of shifting legal immigrants into unlawful status and put them on the path to removal from the United States, and in some cases, bar them from reentry to…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Issues Revised Final Guidance on Unlawful Presence for Students and Exchange Visitors

Guidance Updated After Public Comment Period WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised final policy memorandum (PDF, 129 KB) related to unlawful presence after considering feedback received during a 30-day public comment period that ended June 11, 2018. Under the revised final policy memorandum, effective Aug. 9, 2018, F and M nonimmigrants who fall out of status and timely file for reinstatement of that status will have their accrual of unlawful presence suspended while their application is pending. On May 10, 2018, USCIS posted a policy memorandum changing the way…Read More Breaking News

Work Visa USA

  • Posted on July 30, 2018
  • /Under e3 visa
Lately many have been asking their options to work in the United States. This video covers the main visas available to come to the United States and work. However, it is in no way a comprehensive explanation of all the visas that is available to emigrate to the USA. Please feel free to share.Read More Breaking News

Visa Bulletin August 2018 – India EB3 moves forward to January 1, 2009

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.) Employment- based All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA- mainland born EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES VIETNAM 1st 01MAY16…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Updates Notice to Appear Policy Guidance to Support DHS Enforcement Priorities

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued updated guidance (PDF, 140 KB) today that aligns its policy for issuing Form I-862, Notice to Appear, with the immigration enforcement priorities of the Department of Homeland Security. A Notice to Appear (NTA) is a document given to an alien that instructs them to appear before an immigration judge on a certain date. The issuance of an NTA commences removal proceedings against the alien. Under the new guidance, USCIS officers will now issue an NTA for a wider range of cases where the individual is removable…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for Certain Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today posted a policy memorandum (PDF, 113 KB) (PM) that provides guidance to USCIS adjudicators regarding their discretion to deny an application, petition, or request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) when required initial evidence was not submitted or the evidence of record fails to establish eligibility. This updated guidance is effective September 11, 2018 and applies to all applications, petitions, and requests, except for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) adjudications, received after that date. Due to preliminary…Read More Breaking News

Movement of EB2 India to March 2009 for July 2018 Visa Bulletin

It seems we saw a jump on the EB2 India to March 2009 for the July 2018 Visa Bulletin. Although it is not quite would have been a good jump, it is still a welcoming news Employment- based All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA- mainland born EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES VIETNAM 1st C 01JAN12 C 01JAN12 C C C 2nd C 01JAN15 C 15MAR09 C C C 3rd C 01JAN13 C 01NOV08 C 01JAN17 C Other Workers C 01MAY07 C 01NOV08 C 01JAN17 C 4th C C 08FEB16 C…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Updates Policy on DNA Evidence in Support of Sibling Relationships

USCIS has updated its policy on the acceptance of DNA evidence supporting sibling relationships. This policy memorandum (PDF, 136 KB) permits officers to suggest and consider direct sibling-to-sibling DNA test results, and provides standards for evaluating DNA results for full siblings and half siblings. This guidance will enhance the agency’s ability to accurately evaluate eligibility for immigration benefits by allowing petitioners and officers to make effective use of recent technological advances in direct sibling DNA test results. When USCIS determines that primary evidence is unavailable or unreliable, it may suggest and accept DNA test…Read More Breaking News

Federal Register Changed not to allow third party placement of OPT student!

Following an abrupt change of the Federal Register, it seems that the USCIS has decided that third party placement of OPT students are not acceptable. The amendment states: [T]he training experience must take place on-site at the employer’s place of business or worksite(s) to which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has authority to conduct employer site visits to ensure that the employer is meeting program requirements. This means that ICE must always have access to a student’s worksite; if the student is sent to different worksite locations as part of the training…Read More Breaking News

Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship for Children Born Out of Wedlock

USCIS, Apr. 18, 2018 - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify certain requirements for acquisition of U.S. citizenship for children born outside the United States and out of wedlock under sections 301 and 309 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). USCIS is making conforming edits to the USCIS nationality charts. This update addresses: Changes to physical presence requirements in acquisition of citizenship cases per the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sessions v. Morales-Santana; [and] Clarifications on what may qualify as a…Read More Breaking News