According to The National Foundation for American Policy, the denial rates for new H-1B petitions for the first two quarters of 2021 is 7.1% whereas the first two quarters of 2020 was 28.6%. This is a total of 21.5% increase in acceptance rates. However, this does not mean getting visa approval is any easier because…
Continue reading ›Falsely and willfully claiming to be a U.S. citizen is a serious felony and may result in permanent and serious immigration consequences in addition to imprisonment and fines. Violators are subject to be placed in removal proceedings to be deported or be allowed to withdraw their application for admission under certain circumstances. Inadmissibility due to…
Continue reading ›In response to the coronavirus pandemic, USCIS 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 Deny; Notices of Intent to Revoke; Notices of Intent to Rescind; Notices of Intent to…
Continue reading ›Effective Oct. 1, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. USCIS is updating their policy guidance in accordance with…
Continue reading ›Starting September 4, 2021, USCIS is extending the time that receipt notices can be used to show evidence of status from 18 months to 24 months for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. USCIS is making…
Continue reading ›On August 24, 2021, the Supreme Court refused to block a court ruling ordering the Biden administration to reinstate a Trump-era policy that forces people to wait in Mexico while seeking asylum in the U.S. The high court’s order, issued on Tuesday evening over the dissent of the court’s three Democratic appointees, rejected the Justice…
Continue reading ›Beginning on August 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, from two years to now four years due to COVID-19-related delays in processing. USCIS may consider a completed Form I-693 as valid if: The civil surgeon’s signature is dated…
Continue reading ›On August 9, 2021, USCIS announced that applicants filing for lawful permanent resident status are now able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card as part of the adjustment of status application process. Previously, these individuals had to apply for a Social Security number at a Social Security office. USCIS is…
Continue reading ›U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on July 20, 2021, a new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 COS application is pending. Under the previous policy, applicants needed…
Continue reading ›HOUSTON — A federal judge in Texas on Friday ordered an end to an Obama-era program that prevented the deportations of some immigrants brought into the United States as children, putting new pressure for action on President Joe Biden and Democrats who now control Congress. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled in favor of Texas…
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