Funded by application fees, rather than tax dollars, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) remains open during the current government shutdown. Unless otherwise notified, all applicants should attend their interviews and appointments as scheduled. In addition, USCIS will continue to accept new applications except for the EB-5 regional center program, E-Verify, and non-minister religious …
January 2019 Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has posted the visa bulletin for January 2019. EB-1 Priority Workers final action date is now October 1, 2017 for all nationals, except those born in India and China who now have a cutoff date of December 15, 2016. EB-2 and EB-3 is current (no backlog) for all nationals, except those …
USCIS Offices Will Close Tomorrow December 5 for Day of Mourning
USCIS Press Release: President Trump has declared Wednesday, Dec. 5, a national day of mourning to remember the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Accordingly, all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices will be closed Wednesday. USCIS will reschedule all naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments set …
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Immigration Risk Management Webinar for Employers on December 4
Being an employer entails many responsibilities to the government – meeting employment eligibility and non-discrimination regulations are among those responsibilities. Could you benefit from a quick refresher on immigration risk management? Join me for a free immigration risk management webinar where I will review best practices for employers seeking to insure compliance with state and …
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Planning to Travel Internationally This Holiday Season? Here’s What Should Know for Smooth Sailing Through US Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) When You Return.
U.S. Citizens: If you don’t have your US passport, be sure to apply at least 6 weeks before you plan to travel. If you need it faster, you can ask for expedited processing if you have urgent international travel plans. Visit the Department of State passport site for more information. Green Card Holders: You will need to …
Top 10 Pointers on What to Expect and Do When the Government Shows Up at Your Workplace for an H-1B Site Visit
Since 2009, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has been dropping in at worksites where H-1B employees are employed. These surprise workplace visits are part of the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) and conducted by the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) directorate of the USCIS. Most of these site visits are …
Immigration Policy Alert: USCIS Announces New Medical Exam Validity Period for Green Card Applicants Starting November 1, 2018
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). …
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 …
Cap-Gap and Unlawful Presence Warning for F-1 OPT Students with Pending H-1B Petitions
September 30 marked the end of work authorization for F-1 students who were working based upon their pending "cap-gap" H-1B petitions. Until the H-1B petition is decided, these students can remain in the U.S. but must stop working as of October 1. If the student continues working, he or she will no longer have legal …
Ann Massey Badmus 