USCIS Archives - Watson Immigration Law

USCIS to Continue Processing Applications for Employment Authorization Extension Requests Despite Application Support Center Closures

Posted on March 30, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS continues to offer flexibility in light of COVID-19 disruptions to their operations. Today USCIS announced that they will continue processing EAD extension applications using previously submitted biometrics, given that all their offices are closed to the public and they cannot schedule nor conduct new biometrics appointments. Credit where credit is due – we welcome[…]

USCIS Expands Flexibility for Responding to USCIS Requests

Posted on March 30, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS expanded their flexibility for responding to USCIS requests today. Their previous guidance expanded the deadline to respond to RFEs and NOIDs received between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020 by an additional 60 days. USCIS is now clarifying that this policy also applies to Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR), Notices of Intent[…]

H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed

Posted on March 27, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS announced today that they have completed the selection process for the cap subject H-1B electronic registration, and will begin notifying petitioners and/or their attorneys of whether their registrations were selected. For those selected, the petitioning company will have from April 1, 2020 until June 30, 2020 to file a corresponding H-1B petition for that[…]

USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least April 7

Posted on March 25, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS announced today that it is extending its closure to the public, with the exception of some limited emergency services, until at least April 7, 2020. Given current circumstances and the apparent trajectory of the COVID-19 situation in the United States, we would be shocked if this closure was not extended even further. Best to[…]

USCIS Announces Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures During COVID-19 National Emergency

Posted on March 20, 2020 by WIL Attorney

A bit of good news amongst all the madness, USCIS announced today that they will accept scanned versions of signatures on all forms, including those that previously required a “wet” signature. This should add some much-needed flexibility to both attorneys and clients and should better facilitate the timely filing of immigration-related petitions/applications. Copied from[…]

USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted on March 20, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS announced today, effective immediately, the temporary suspension of premium processing services for all I-129 and I-140 petitions. There is no concrete date for when USCIS anticipates resuming premium processing. We will keep our readers informed as soon as more information is available. Stay safe and healthy everyone! Copied from USCIS: U.S. Citizenship[…]

USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for FY2021 Cap-Subject Petitions

Posted on March 17, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS announced yesterday the temporary suspension of premium processing for FY2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Fortunately, this seems to only be a temporary measure. USCIS plans to resume premium processing for those cap-subject H-1B petitions seeking a change of status from F-1 status to H-1B status no later than May 27, 2020, and for all remaining[…]

March 2020 Visa Bulletin Commentary

Posted on February 18, 2020 by WIL Attorney

The March 2020 Visa Bulletin was released earlier this morning. No drastic changes, but we did finally see some forward movement for EB1 India after months and months of stagnation. While the category still remains severely backlogged, it is positive to see it finally go forward. Commentary: March 2020 For all countries[…]

Public Charge Inadmissibility Final Rule: Revised Forms and Updated Policy Manual Guidance

Posted on February 5, 2020 by WIL Attorney

The dominoes begin to fall with regards to the implementation of the new Public Charge rule, with USCIS announcing today their updated policy manual guidance and publishing of revised case forms which will incorporate questions related to the Public Charge rule. As a reminder, USCIS will implement the rule starting on February 24, 2020, at[…]

USCIS Announces Public Charge Rule Implementation Following Supreme Court Stay of Nationwide Injunctions

Posted on January 31, 2020 by WIL Attorney

USCIS announced today that the much-maligned Public Charge rule will be fully implemented by USCIS on February 24, 2020, following the Supreme Court’s lifting of the nationwide injunctions imposed by various District Courts across the U.S. The small silver lining is that, despite the Rule going into effect on October 15, 2019 before being enjoined[…]