Category Archive for: ‘immigration news’
Wage Based H-1B Selection Process Delayed
The wage based H-1B selection process which was originally set to become effective on 3/9/21 has been delayed until December 31, 2021. According to the Department of Homeland Security: “delaying the rule to December 31, 2021, will provide USCIS sufficient time to develop, thoroughly test, …
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USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT
USCIS today announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive. USCIS has experienced delays at certain lockboxes in issuing …
Read MoreUSCIS Modifies H-1B Selection Process to Prioritize Wages
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a final rule that will modify the H-1B cap selection process, amend current lottery procedures, and prioritize wages to protect the economic interests of U.S. workers and better ensure the most highly skilled foreign workers benefit from the temporary employment …
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USCIS Reverts to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test beginning March 1, 2021. On Dec. 1, 2020, USCIS implemented a revised naturalization civics test (2020 civics test) as part of a decennial test review …
Read MoreUSCIS Modifies H-1B Selection Process to Prioritize Wages
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a final rule that will modify the H-1B cap selection process, amend current lottery procedures, and prioritize wages to protect the economic interests of U.S. workers and better ensure the most highly skilled foreign workers benefit from the temporary employment …
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USCIS Ending Two Categorical Parole Programs
Haitian Family Reunification Parole and Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Programs to be Terminated WASHINGTON— In keeping with the agency’s August 2019 announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice requesting public comments on revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document to remove sections relating to the Haitian Family Reunification …
Read MoreUSCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14); Notices of Intent to …
Read MoreUSCIS Updates Discretionary Criteria for Case-by-Case Interview Determinations of Adjustment of Status Applications Based on Refugee or Asylee Status
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance (PDF, 319.68 KB) expanding the discretionary criteria USCIS officers use to determine whether to interview applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, based on refugee or asylee status. The updated criteria are well within the parameters of USCIS’ regulatory authority to determine, on a case-by-case …
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An October Surprise for Employment-Based Workers
By: Rishi P. Oza, Esq. The October Visa Bulletin was welcome good news for an otherwise bleak 2020, as the priority dates moved significantly for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 category workers from both India and China. The dramatic jump forward holds the promise of unlocking …
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Rapid Fire Changes Come to the World of Immigration
By Rishi P. Oza, Esq. As if 2020 has not been chaotic enough with the COVID-19 pandemic, racial strife, and an oncoming presidential election, the immigration world has been on fire for the past month with policy changes issued from the United States Department of …
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