On July 1, 2020, USCIS issued a new notice, adding to the notice issued May 1st, extending the period of time individuals can respond to certain requests. The notice states:USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency RequestsIn response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on …
Continue reading USCIS Extends Time to Respond to Requests for Evidence and Other Case Requests
On May 5, 2020, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (Senate Bill 3599) to temporarily relieve the country’s shortage of doctors and nurses, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and improve healthcare access during the COVID-19 crisis. If passed, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would temporarily give international physicians and nurses access to the …
From the USCIS: On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4. Employees in these offices are continuing to perform mission-essential services …
Continue reading USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
The much anticipated Proclamation on immigration was just signed - Here's what we know NOW. The order suspends the issuance of immigrant visas (green cards) for 60 days effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on April 23, 2020 ONLY for those immigrant applicants who: (i) are outside the United States; (ii) do not have an immigrant visa that …
Wondering the impact of #COVID19 on immigrants and our immigration process? Join us for a free webinar, "Legal Update: COVID-19 Impact on Immigration," for the information you need to know about legal immigration consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and government response. Here is What You'll Learn Immigrant eligibility for unemployment, healthcare, and other benefits. …
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The Department of State announced that in response to COVID-19, it is suspending routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates. Embassies and consulates will cancel all routine visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. This does not affect the Visa Waiver Program. See https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?focusedTopic=Schengen%20Travel%20Proclamation for more information. Although all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments …
Continue reading All U.S. Visa Appointments Cancelled due to COVID-19
FROM USCIS ALERT: Rescheduling Appointments Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) If you become ill for any reason, regardless of whether you were exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to appointments with any USCIS office. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment or interview if you: Were in China within 14 …
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If you or your employee are seeking to remain or come to the United States either temporarily or permanently, the new public charge rule will apply to you if you sent an application on or after February 24, 2020. That means you will need to provide additional information and documents to USCIS as part of …
Continue reading The New Public Charge Rule: What Every Visa Applicant Must Know
The USCIS' crisis level application delays and backlogs are unacceptable. In fact, the overall average case processing time has risen 101% in the past five years! Congress has taken notice. On February 26, 2020, Representatives Tony Cardenas and Steve Stivers introduced the Case Backlog and Transparency Act of 2020 in the House. Watch this American …
Continue reading Congress Introduces a Bipartisan Bill To Address USCIS Case Backlog Crisis
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds "public charge" final rule on Feb. 24, 2020, except for in the State of Illinois where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court as of Jan. 30, 2020. Under the Final Rule, USCIS will look at the factors required under …
Continue reading New Public Charge Rule will take effect February 24, 2020
