Generally, all applicants for adjustment of status to permanent residence (I-485 green card) must submit a Form I-693 medical examination report, which is completed by USCIS approved physicians (“civil surgeon”) in the United States. On October 16, 2018, the USCIS announced a new policy about the validity period for a medical examination report (Form I-693). …
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November 2018 Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has posted the visa bulletin for November 2018. EB-1 Priority Workers final action date is still April 1, 2017 for all nationals, except those born in India and China who now have a cutoff date of June 1, 2016. EB-2 and EB-3 is current (no backlog) for all nationals, except those …
Citizenship applicants now take English reading and writing tests on digital tablet at naturalization interviews
USCIS news release: On Oct. 1, USCIS began using digital tablets to administer the English reading and writing tests during naturalization interviews as part of the agency’s ongoing business modernization efforts. Although USCIS applicants already use digital tablets to sign or verify parts of their applications, this new approach expands tablet usage, allowing the device …
October 2018 Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has posted the visa bulletin for October 2018. There has been significant improvement for many categories as compared to this month's visa bulletin. EB-1 Priority Workers final action date is now April 1, 2017 for all nationals, except those born in India and China who still have a cutoff date of January …
USCIS Begins Implementing New Policy to Refer Certain Denied Applicants to Deportation Court
Starting today, October 1, 2018, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) may issue Notices to Appear (NTA) on denied applications which terminate the applicant's status, including but not limited to, Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (green card), and Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. A NTA starts the …
Compelling Circumstances Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Option Explained
An employment authorization document (EAD) is a coveted benefit allowing many immigants to work legally in the United States. For example, applicants for asylum, temporary protected status, F-1 or M-1 student optional practical training, adjustment of status, DACA, and many others can get an EAD that allows work for stated periods of time. On January …
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How to Contact USCIS when Your Application is Past the Case Inquiry Date
The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) provides estimated time ranges for processing applications and petitions on its website at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. For most applications, you can contact the USCIS if your case has been pending longer than the "case inquiry date" posted on our website. The USCIS Contact Center (formerly the National Customer Service Center) is one …
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Fact Sheet: How the Government Estimates Application Processing Times
Immigration applicants often want to know how much time it will take to get a decision on their applications. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does publish processing time estimates, found at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Applicants should keep in mind that the expected processing times are only estimates, which may not be accurate. The USCIS has recently …
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2018 Immigrant Journey Award Winners Announced at Gala in Celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month
In a time when immigration is the hottest topic discussed, the annual Immigrant Journey Awards (IJA) came just in time. This month, also Immigrant Heritage Month, approximately 200 individuals united to highlight influential immigrants at the 2018 Immigrant Journey Awards Gala, hosted by nationally recognized Dallas law firm Scheef & Stone. “This will be our …
USCIS announces TPS re-registration for qualified Nepal citizens living in the U.S.
USCIS announcement - "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Nepal’s designation who want to maintain their status through the effective termination date of June 24, 2019, must re-register between May 22, 2018, and July 23, 2018. Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization …
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Ann Massey Badmus 