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 to priority dates from earlier this year, and some unanticipated retrogression. The most disappointing development was EB1 India, which only returned to its 1 January[…]
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 applying for greencards. The rule will significantly raise the standard for how greencard applicants are judged in their ability to remain “self-sufficient.” It is difficult[…]
It was only a matter of time before social media information was going to be collected state-side. Our regular readers will know that we have been writing about social media handle collection for sometime now. It was implemented for all applications filed at the embassy. However, on September 4th 2019, a new rule was proposed[…]
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 submitted by asylum applicants. DHS is also proposing to eliminate the provision requiring applications for renewal EADs to be submitted to USCIS 90 days prior[…]
Earlier today, DHS proposed changes to several immigration-related and travel-related forms, publishing a 60-day notice and request for comments in the Federal Register. The proposed changes will allow DHS to collect social media information from applicants seeking immigration-related benefits and from individuals seeking to be admitted into the United States. The immigration-related forms DHS is[…]
This morning, DHS announced imposing a nominal $10 fee for the new H1b preregistration program. Below is the USCIS announcement. The unpublished rule is available and will be formally published tomorrow (9/4). The comment period will be open for 60 days. My initial thought is that the $10 fee will not be enough of a[…]
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 the person’s principal actual dwelling place in fact, and physical presence, the actual time a person is physically in the United States. The memo also[…]
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 for anyone under this category regardless of priority date. Moreover, we have received breaking news that, despite the dates listed on this visa bulletin, the[…]
It was an honor to interview Washington State’s fearless Solicitor-General Noah Purcell who argued the first travel ban lawsuit and won! Noah discusses the events leading up to the lawsuit and the aftermath, as well many of the other immigration actions he has taken on behalf of the WA Attorney General’s office. Listen to our[…]
Copied from USCIS: Regulation promotes self-sufficiency and immigrant success Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that clearly defines long-standing law to better ensure that aliens seeking to enter and remain in the United States — either temporarily or permanently — are self-sufficient and rely on their own capabilities and the[…]