Effective October 2, USCIS will require filing fees for I-765 and I-131 applications filed based on an I-485 adjustment of status application. These applications, when approved, provide the applicant with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)...
DHS announced a final rule on July 31, 2020 that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization forms as well as alters the time frame for adjudicating petitions requesting premium processing. Overall, the fee adjustment amounts to a weighted...
The State Department recently announced that there will be an additional 60,000 to 100,000 green cards allocated to the employment-based immigrant category for fiscal year 2021, which begins October 1, 2020. This has led to much speculation regarding...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has warned that it faces a budget shortfall and intends to furlough 13,000 of its 18,700 staff at the end of this month. The planned furlough of 70% of USCIS workers would bring USCIS to operations...
Due to the production delays of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EAD, Form I-766), USCIS announced that employers can accept EAD approval notices for Form I-9 verification. The major takeaways are as follows:
Employees may use Form I-797...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released new increased fines for Form I-9 penalties, to account for annual inflation. The new fines will be effective for penalties assessed after June 17, 2020 for associated violations which occurred...
Earlier this week rumors were circulating about a possible second lottery to be run by USCIS. USCIS never confirmed or denied these rumors. However, this morning it appears that attorneys and companies received emails from their myUSCIS account with...
According to recent reports ICE has begun making in-person contact with the individuals who used fraudulent experience letters from Integra Technologies LLC, AZtech Technologies, and Andwill LLC—the three companies that share the same address at 19C...
The advanced copy of USCIS’ new filing fee schedule was released to the public on July 31, 2020. The new fees will take effect for any applications or petitions postmarked on or after October 2, 2020. As expected the majority of filing fees for immigration...
For individuals and employers alike, we invite you to join our free webinar concerning the immigration prospectus for the remainder of 2020 through FY2021. From the impact of recent executive actions to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, attorneys...
On June 22, 2020, President Trump announced Presidential Proclamation 10052 (“PP 10052”) which was designed to prevent the certain nonimmigrant visa holders from entering the United States (H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J visa holders). More information...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has extended the flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic by an additional 30 days. The accommodations now expire...
As expected, today the President issued an expansion of the executive order he signed in April (“Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market during the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak”), which was originally...
In a recent development, 100 F-1 students, most from India, have received notification from a U.S. consulate that their visa has been revoked. A copy of an email from the Mumbai Consulate regarding visa revocation can be seen below:
According to...
It is expected that the president will issue an expansion of the executive order he signed in April (“Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market during the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak”), which was...
F-1 students have been receiving visa revocation notices from consulates in India under 221(i) when they were previously approved for OPT or the STEM extension with Integra Technologies, LLC or AZTech Technologies, LLC. There are many instances where...
USCIS announced today that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129 and Form I-140 in phases over the next month:
June 1st – USCIS will accept premium processing for all Form I-140 petitions.
June 8th – USCIS will accept premium processing...
Recognizing the economic and social need of attracting high-skilled foreign talent, current immigration law entitles the government to “lower to bar” for certain professions and/or industry segments facing critical labor shortages by doing away with...
1. What are the basic requirements of the 60-day grace period?
To qualify for the 60-day grace period, you would need to have a valid I-94 and a “cessation” or termination of employment.
Note, if you are transferring to a new company (Company B)...
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employers and employees to quickly adjust work arrangements to ensure business continues seamlessly. Many employers have implemented remote work arrangements and, in some cases, adjusted employee work hours and pay....
Compelling Circumstance EAD: What to know
For qualified individuals and their dependent spouses and children, USCIS may grant work authorizations (EAD) due to compelling circumstances. To qualify for a compelling circumstance EAD, an individual must...