October 2019 Visa Bulletin Commentary
After a longer than usual wait, the October 2019 Visa Bulletin was just released today. It was a bit of a mixed bag, with certain categories experiencing significant advancement, returning[…]
Tag: USCIS
1 Month Until Final Public Charge Rules Take Effect
In just a little over a month, on October 15, 2019, the “Public Charge” rules will take effect, and will fundamentally change how USCIS makes public charge determinations for those[…]
USCIS Proposes Regulation to Eliminate 30-Day Timeframe for Adjudicating EADs for Asylum Applicants
On Monday, September 9, 2019, DHS will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking which would eliminate the mandatory 30-day timeline in which USCIS must adjudicate an application for employment authorization[…]
USCIS Issues Guidance on Defining “Residence” Related to Citizenship
Yesterday, USCIS issued policy guidance which clarifies and further defines “residence” in regards to citizenship. The policy alert seeks to clarify between residence, which is defined in the INA as[…]
September 2019 Visa Bulletin Commentary
The September 2019 Visa Bulletin was released last week, bringing further retrogression in many employment-based preference categories. Most significantly, EB1 India is currently unavailable, meaning that visas are not authorized[…]
USCIS to Publish Final Rule Revising EB-5 Regulations
Tomorrow, 7/24/2019, USCIS and DHS will publish the final rule revising EB-5 regulations. Among other changes, the most significant are that the minimum investment amount has been increased from $500k[…]
USCIS Announces Plan to Improve the Naturalization Test
USCIS announced today that it is revising the current naturalization test which, among other things, tests applicant’s knowledge of civics and U.S. history, government, and constitutional values. Earlier this spring,[…]
USCIS Expands FIRST: A Fully Digital FOIA System
USCIS announced today that it expanding into a fully digital FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) system, becoming the first government agency to do so. As a brief and general overview,[…]
Expect EB-2/EB-3 Worldwide Retrogression In The Coming Months
According to the Department of State, the EB-2 and EB-3 Worldwide categories, which have fortunately remained current for quite some time, may experience retrogression in the coming months. The demand[…]
H-4s No Longer Simultaneously Adjudicated With H-1Bs Due To New I-539 Biometrics Requirement
It has always been the policy of USCIS to simultaneously adjudicate H-1Bs and H-4s filed concurrently. However, the new I-539 biometrics requirement promulgated in March of this year has[…]