Immigration Help for Those Affected by California Wildfires

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expedite or provide discretionary handling of immigration cases impacted by unforeseen or extreme situations, or natural catastrophes such as the recent California wildfires.

Expedite or discretionary request may be made during or after filing an immigration case.

Upon request, USCIS will provide the following on a discretionary basis:

• Changing or extending a nonimmigrant status in the U.S.: If you don’t apply for the extension or change before your authorized period of admission expires, USCIS may excuse a delay in applying for the extension or change before an authorized period of admission expires if it was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the nonimmigrant’s control;
• Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expediting processing of advance parole requests;
• Expediting adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• Expediting adjudication of employment authorization applications;
• Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
• Extension of response time or acceptance of a late response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent;
• Rescheduling an interview with USCIS;
• Expediting replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); and
• Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

For additional information, please visit:  https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations

August 15, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Aik Wan Kok at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration Law.  We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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U.S. Supreme Court Decision:  Blocking Continues on President Obama’s DAPA and Expanded DACA

DAPA AND EXPANDED DACA UPDATES

The fate of DAPA and expanded DACA has now been decided when the U.S. Supreme Court renders its 4-4 decision this morning in United States v. Texas.  This means the 5^th Circuit’s court decision upholding an injunction to prevent the implementation of DAPA and Expanded DACA will remain.  The original DACA, already implemented, is unaffected by the decision and will continue.

U.S. President Barrack Obama announced important executive actions on November 20, 2014, such as DAPA and expanded DACA.  The implementations of DAPA and expanded DACA have been on hold since February 2015 due to a preliminary injunction, supported by 26 states. 

WHAT IS DAPA? 

Undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may request deferred action and apply for a 3-year work permit (employment authorization document/EAD) under the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability Program (DAPA). On November 20, 2014, they must be parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents born on or before November 20, 2014.  Among other things, such parents must also have been continuously residing in the U.S. since January 1, 2010; and must have passed the required background checks.  Eligible applicants would have been able to apply for DAPA around May 19, 2015, if it was not blocked by the preliminary injunction.

WHAT IS EXPANDED DACA? 

The executive actions were also expanding DACA eligibility.   DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  The executive actions are expanding work authorization to 3 years from 2 years; the age requirement to include those born prior to June 15, 1981; the continuing residence to include those residing in the U.S. since January 1, 2010 instead of June 15, 2007.  All other DACA prior requirements must be met.  Eligible applicants would have been able to apply for this expanded DACA around February 18, 2015, if it was not blocked by the preliminary injunction.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had previously approved work permit/work authorization for 3 years for certain applications for DACA extensions.

WHEN CAN ONE APPLY FOR DAPA AND EXPANDED DACA?  

DAPA and expanded DACA are still blocked by an ongoing injunction.  Eligible applicants may still apply for the original DACA (instead of the expanded DACA).  In February 2015, with the support of 25 other states, a federal District Court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA.  After the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals affirming the preliminary injunction, the U.S. government (President Obama) requested a U.S. Supreme Court review so that the U.S. federal government may proceed with DAPA and expanded DACA.  On January 19, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the case.  This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 4-4 decision which means the injunction blocking DAPA and expanded DACA continues; and the U.S. federal government cannot move forward with DAPA and expanded DACA.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals, and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. Our clients are based nationwide in the U.S. and internationally. We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waivers and other immigration matters. Some of our cases including, but are not limiting to:extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with U.S. Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver relatives of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver;H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; Lexecutive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; E treaty investors/traders; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; National Visa Centers; filing cases with USCIS; filing cases withU.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

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• Not Selected in the H-1B Cap Lottery? Avoid Immigration Fraud: Maintaining Status in the U.S. and Reapplying.
• Affected by Earthquakes in Japan, Ecuador and Burma (aka Myanmar)? US Immigration Relief Measures for Earthquakes

Not Selected in the H-1B Cap Lottery?  Avoid Immigration Fraud: Maintaining Status in the U.S. and Reapplying.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Visa Numbers Are Used Up:  Potential H-1B Candidates Who Continue to Stay in the U.S. Must Maintain Legal Immigration Status

H-1B candidates who have not made it to the Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2016 employment start-date) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted to USCIS on April 1, 2017 (with an October 1, 2017 employment start-date) for the 2018 Fiscal Year H-1B visa cap/quota.   Such H-1B candidates may also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant status, work permit, and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

Please note, if potential H-1B candidates are in the U.S. and are considering other immigration options such as the above, they must still continue to maintain legal immigration status in the U.S., in compliance with U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. 

Example of Failure to Maintain Status: Immigration Fraud

On April 5, 2016, special agents of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 21 individuals (e.g. brokers, recruiters) for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, conspiracy to harbor aliens for profits, and other offenses.  In addition to the arrests of the defendants, the international students involved in the student-visa fraud or pay-to-stay scheme were also arrested by ICE for removal (deportation) purposes.  The arrests were made in Virginia, Washington, New York, and New Jersey.  HSI and ICE are part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The defendants fraudulently enabled around 1,076 international students, primarily from India and China, to enroll as F-1 students under the false pretense that they were participating in full courses of study at the University of Northern New Jersey (UNNJ) in New Jersey.  All the international students were considered willing participants in the fraudulent F-1 scheme. 

Unbeknownst to the defendants, UNNJ is a sting operation – a storefront serving as undercover operations – by HSI agents posing as school administrators to investigate criminal activities involving student visa fraud and alien harboring for profits.  UNNJ was not staffed with any educators, had no actual academic curriculum, and did not have actual classes or educational activities. 

The defendants solicited UNNJ and facilitated the international students’ enrollment at UNNJ to fraudulently obtain and maintain F-1 student visa or status, in exchange for commissions or kickbacks.  The defendants also created fake student records such as transcripts, attendance records, diplomas, and projects, purchased by international students. 

International students were issued UNNJ I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – for Academic and Language Students, for international students to remain in the U.S.  These I-20 Certificates and phony student documents were then used to apply for H-1B Cap Petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Additionally, the defendants used UNNJ to obtain work permit and employment authorization for their clients (international students). 

 H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap

On April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2017 fiscal year (FY), and the 20,000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree.   On April 7, 2016, USCIS announced it had received more than sufficient H-1B Cap Petitions to meet the cap.

USCIS received over 236,000 H-1B Cap Petitions described above.  USCIS had long completed its computer-generated random selection process (lottery system) which started on April 9, 2016.

Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers were processed under random selection or lottery for the 65,000 limit. 

For some time now, USCIS has been issuing receipt notices for the above H-1B Cap Petitions filed under premium processing, regular processing, and U.S. advanced degree.

Normally, all USCIS receipt notices for selected H-1B Cap Petitions were being issued within several weeks of the lottery system (random selection process). 

USCIS announced on May 2, 2016 that it has completed all its data entry of H-1B Cap Petitions selected in its lottery system.  USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B Cap Petitions not selected.  Due to the overwhelming number of H-1B Cap Petitions received, USCIS is not certain when it will complete returning all the unselected petitions but will issue an announcement once they are all returned to the employers (petitioners).  Previously, H-1B Cap Petitions not selected in the lottery system were being returned throughout the summer. 

USCIS urges employers (petitioners) not to inquire on the status of their H-1B Cap Petitions until they have received a receipt notice or a return of an unselected petition.  This will allow USCIS to better-use their resources such as on adjudicating cases and completing the necessary return of unselected petitions.

On May 12, 2016, USCIS will begin premium processing of H-1B Cap Petitions selected in the lottery system.  For H-1B Cap Petitions or eligible cases under premium processing, USCIS will adjudicate the case within 15 calendar days.  Additionally, employers have the option to upgrade their selected H-1B Cap Petitions to premium processing.

All H-1B Cap Petitions above not selected in the lottery system will be returned with their filing fees.  The filing fees for any H-1B Cap Petitions above with duplicate filings will not be returned.  

What is an H-1B? 

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for specialty occupations.  They are for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S.  Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions.  A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations.  Each case depends on the position’s overall circumstances, necessitating complex legal analysis.

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Cap or Quota

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to the annual visa cap or quota.  It depends on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor.  For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.   Certain employers are cap exempt.

Duration of H-1B

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years).  Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals, and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. Our clients are based nationwide in the U.S. and internationally. We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waivers and other immigration matters. Some of our cases including, but are not limiting: extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with U.S. Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver relatives of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; National Visa Centers; filing cases with USCIS; filing cases with U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

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• U.S. Supreme Court Decision: Blocking Continues on President Obama’s DAPA and Expanded DACA
• Expedited U.S. Citizenship for Certain U.S. Military Members & Their Families
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• Affected by Earthquakes in Japan, Ecuador and Burma (aka Myanmar)? US Immigration Relief Measures for Earthquakes

US Immigration Completes its Random Selection Process for 2017 H-1B Cap

H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap

On April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2017 fiscal year (FY), and the 20,000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree. On April 7, 2016, USCIS announced it had received more than sufficient H-1B Cap Petitions to meet the cap.

USCIS received over 236,000 H-1B Cap Petitions described above. On April 9, 2016, USCIS started its computer-generated random selection process (lottery system) and the selection is now complete.

Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers will be processed under random selection or lottery for the 65,000 limit. All H-1B Cap Petitions above not selected in the lottery system will be returned with their filing fees. The filing fees for any H-1B Cap Petitions above with duplicate filings will not be returned.

USCIS plans to process the above H-1B Cap Petitions selected in the lottery system no later than May 16, 2016. However, in prior H-1B cap-seasons, USCIS began premium processing for selected H-1B Cap cases a few weeks after April 1.

What is an H-1B?

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for specialty occupations. They are for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions. A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations. Each case depends on the position’s overall circumstances, necessitating complex legal analysis.

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Cap or Quota

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to the annual visa cap or quota. It depends on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers. Certain employers are cap exempt.

Duration of H-1B

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Visa Numbers Are Used Up

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2016 employment start-date) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to reach USCIS on April 1, 2017 (with an October 1, 2017 employment start-date) for the 2018 Fiscal Year H-1B visa cap/quota. They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant status, work permit, and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. Our clients are based within the U.S. and internationally. We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waiver and other immigration matters. Some of our cases including, but are not limiting, extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver for spouse, parent, son and/or daughter or child of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; consular processing via National Visa Centers; filing cases with the USCIS; filing cases with the U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence by USCIS; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny from USCIS; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

More News

• Immigration to Begin Premium Processing of H-1B Cap Petitions on May 12, 2016
• Immigration Will Begin Returning H-1B Cap Cases Not Selected in the Lottery System. What Can You Do if You Have Not Heard About Your H-1B Cap Petitions?
• USCIS Will Begin Accepting Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B Visa Cap Cases on April 1, 2015
• USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 Visa Quotas, and Random Selection Process (Lottery) Completed on April 10, 2014
• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)
• USCIS Suspends Premium Processing Service for H-1B Petition FY 2019 Visa Cap
• Immigration Has Been Issuing H-1B Cap Receipt Notices for a Few Weeks. When Will Immigration Confirm Rejection of H-1B Cap Cases Not Selected in the Lottery System?
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions

Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers?  Opening a business or investing in the U.S.?  Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.?  November 20, 2014 Executive Actions

The President announced various executive actions on November 20, 2014 relating to, among other things, green card and temporary visa matters.  Some of them are outlined below.

The executive actions are calling for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to make efficient use of authorized immigrant visa numbers, and better determination of immigrant visa number availability.  Various types of green card cases are subject to visa number quota.  [Hopefully, the changes may improve visa number availability such as immigrant visa numbers becoming current.]

Additionally, the executive actions are requesting the USCIS to relax job or adjustment portability for delayed or lengthy adjustment of status cases.  I-485 Adjustment of Status is the final stage in a green card process.  Many adjustment cases remain pending or are delayed because of immigrant visa number unavailability (immigrant visa number not current).  Currently, a foreign national in an employment green card may change or port to a different employer before his/her green card is approved, when the adjustment case has been pending for a certain period of time.  Presently, such job change or portability is restricted to the same or similar green card job classification, which is narrowly interpreted.  Thus, a foreign national who has changed job under the adjustment-of-status portability but who does not have an H-1B or another temporary work visa for the new job may possibly face removal or deportation proceeding. [Hopefully, the changes may allow eligible adjustment applicants to transfer or port to a wider range of jobs.]

In improving the U.S. economy, the executive actions are asking the USCIS to:

1. Clarify the standard for green card national interest waiver cases for founders of start-up businesses, foreign investors or researchers.  National interest waiver is a process for an eligible foreign national who has an advanced degree or exceptional ability to apply for green card without the PERM permanent labor certification process.  His/her contributions or skills must be of U.S. national interests. [Hopefully, these changes may mean widening the range of evidence that would constitute exceptional ability or U.S. national interests.]
2. Parole, on a case-by-case basis, eligible founders of start-up businesses, foreign investors or researchers.  This is for a foreign national who has not yet met the national interest waiver standard, and:

(a) Who has been awarded substantial U.S. investor financing; or

(b) Who has the potential for innovation and job creation through the development of new technologies or cutting-edge research.

Spouses of certain H-1B employees who are in certain green card process may apply for work permit (employment authorization document/EAD).  H-1B visa is for job that requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.

There may be further clarification and consistency on what constitutes specialized knowledge for employee transferring from company overseas into the U.S.

The above executive actions are not effective yet.  The government will provide further clarifications and guidelines in the coming months.  Please stay tune and sign up for our eNews for future updates.

For additional information on other types of recent executive actions, please visit:  https://immigrationresource.net/in-the-u-s-illegally-need-to-fix-u-s-immigration-status-consider-applying-for-dapa-around-may-19-2015-expanded-daca-february-18-2015/

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship.

By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, illegal status, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.

We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waiver and other immigration matters. For examples including, but are not limiting, extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver for spouse, parent, son and/or daughter of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; consular processing via National Visa Centers; filing cases with the USCIS; filing cases with the U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence by USCIS; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny from USCIS; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

More News

• H-1B Work Visa Cap Has Been Reached on November 23, 2011 for FY2012
• Filing for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Begun and 5,900 H-1B Cap Petitions Received (April 8, 2011)!
• USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 Visa Quotas, and Random Selection Process (Lottery) Completed on April 10, 2014
• Citizenship Civics Test in 7 Languages & Exemption for Green Card Holders of at Least 20 Years Who Are Over 65 Years Old
• Washington, DC USCIS in Fairfax, Virginia: Saturday I-485 and I-751 Interviews
• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)
• Job Creation Via Part of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• 36,700 H-1B Regular Cap Work Visas, and 14,800 H-1B Master’s Degree Exemption Visas Received for FY2013 (May 11, 2012)

USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 Visa Quotas, and Random Selection Process (Lottery) Completed on April 10, 2014

H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap 

On April 1, 2014, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2015 fiscal year (FY), and the 20, 000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree.   On April 7, 2014, USCIS had received 172,500 H-1B Cap Petitions.   The USCIS has finished its computer-generated random selection process (lottery) on April 10, 2014 and has begun issuing receipt notices.  Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers was processed under random selection for the 65,000 limit.

For this H-1B cap-season purpose only, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases on or before April 28, 2014. 

What is an H-1B? 

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card). 

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions. A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations; each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances. 

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap 

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers. 

Duration of H-1B

 In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

 H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Annual Work Visas Are Used Up 

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2015 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2014 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2015 (October 1, 2015 employment start-date or later) for the Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B visa quota. They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship.

More News

• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)
• Filing for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Begun and 5,900 H-1B Cap Petitions Received (April 8, 2011)!
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions
• H-1B Work Visa Cap Has Been Reached on November 23, 2011 for FY2012
• 10,200 H-1B Cap Work Visas Have Been Received for FY2012 (May 6, 2011)
• US Immigration Completes its Random Selection Process for 2017 H-1B Cap
• USCIS Begins Accepting Fiscal Year 2015 H-1B Visa Cap Cases
• U.S. Work Visas and Options for Nurses

Citizenship Civics Test in 7 Languages & Exemption for Green Card Holders of at Least 20 Years Who Are Over 65 Years Old

U.S. citizenship applicants (N-400 applicants) are required to attend N-400 interviews.  Citizenship applicants are required to undergo, among other things, English and Civics tests (certain exceptions apply).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers the official list of naturalization N-400 Civics Test Questions and Answers in 7 languages (English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog) which can be seen at USCIS website at:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.cdb41483187c7c1014fe271b526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=160ec05083f98310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=c242df6bdd42a210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&sectionId=160ec05083f98310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&type=2&filter=1

U.S. citizenship applicants who require help in studying for citizenship/naturalization English and Civics tests may locate Citizenship class (city or zip code search) at http://www.literacydirectory.org/ .

U.S. immigration law affords special consideration of the civics test for applicants who, at the time of filing their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization/Citizenship, are over 65 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years (the 65/20 exemption).  These 65/20 exemption applicants can:

1. Take civics test in the language of their choice; and
2. Are only required to study 20 of the 100 civics test questions for the naturalization test.  The 65/20 exemption should study the 20 civic test questions and answers for the 65/20 exemption instead of the regular 100 civics test questions and answers.  The 20 civics test questions and answers for 65/20 exemption can also be found at USCIS website at:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.cdb41483187c7c1014fe271b526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=160ec05083f98310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=c242df6bdd42a210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&sectionId=160ec05083f98310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&type=2&filter=1

August 2, 2012: By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224;

More News

• Washington, DC USCIS in Fairfax, Virginia: Saturday I-485 and I-751 Interviews
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions
• USCIS Centralized I-601 and I-212 Inadmissibility Waiver Filings
• Sponsor of Green Card Affidavit of Support Must Still Support Sponsored Ex-Spouse Who Has Refused to Look for Jobs
• BIA on Qualifying Relative “Child” for Cancellation of Removal
• U.S. Work Visas and Options for Nurses
• The New Provisional Extreme Hardship Waiver for Unlawful Presence is Not Effective Yet
• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)

U.S. Embassy in Paris, France:  Changes to Nonimmigrant Visa Application Procedures

The U.S. Embassy in Paris, France, announced that as of July 29, 2012, all non-immigrant visa applicants must fill in the DS 160 application form and pay the MRV fee through purchase of a mandat compte before scheduling an appointment. Applicant must provide the reference numbers of both the DS 160 and the mandat compte at the time of scheduling an appointment.

July 27, 2012: By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224

www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; http://immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, and individuals and their families in green card and work visa matters in U.S. immigration law. We also have a focus on green card cases such as extraordinary ability, national interest waiver and PERM.

All Rights Reserved.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as a legal advice or an attorney-client relationship.

More News

• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)
• US Immigration Completes its Random Selection Process for 2017 H-1B Cap
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions
• Get Ready to Apply for DAPA Around May 19, 2015 & Expanded DACA Around February 18, 2015! New Executive Actions on U.S.A. Immigration
• Citizenship Civics Test in 7 Languages & Exemption for Green Card Holders of at Least 20 Years Who Are Over 65 Years Old
• Washington, DC USCIS in Fairfax, Virginia: Saturday I-485 and I-751 Interviews
• U.S. Work Visas and Options for Nurses
• London E Visa Services Temporary Closure Due to 2012 Olympics

Washington, DC USCIS in Fairfax, Virginia: Saturday I-485 and I-751 Interviews

In the summer months of 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Washington District Office in Fairfax, Virginia, had started scheduling naturalization interviews on Saturdays.  It has now also stared to schedule Adjustment of Status for the coming months.  Even I-751 interviews may also take be scheduled for  interviews on Saturdays.

July 26, 2012: By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com . Direct dial from overseas: 001-703-772-8224

www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; http://immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, and individuals and their families in green card and work visa matters in U.S. immigration law. We also have a focus on green card cases such as extraordinary ability, national interest waiver and PERM.

All Rights Reserved.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as a legal advice or an attorney-client relationship.

More News

• Citizenship Civics Test in 7 Languages & Exemption for Green Card Holders of at Least 20 Years Who Are Over 65 Years Old
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions
• BIA on Qualifying Relative “Child” for Cancellation of Removal
• U.S. Work Visas and Options for Nurses
• K-4 Visa Holder (Child of K-3 Visa as Spouse of US Citizen) Who Was Over 18 When K-3 Parent Married US Citizen Cannot Apply to Adjust to Green Card Status
• USCIS Centralized I-601 and I-212 Inadmissibility Waiver Filings
• K-4 Visa Holder (Child of K-3 Visa Spouse of US Citizen) Can Only Apply to Adjust to Green Card Status Based on Original K Visa Petitioner
• Sponsor of Green Card Affidavit of Support Must Still Support Sponsored Ex-Spouse Who Has Refused to Look for Jobs

U.S. Work Visas and Options for Nurses

Many foreign nurses in the U.S. have expired or expiring work visa/status since H-1C nonimmigrant visa program for nurses sunset (expired) on December 20, 2009.   Eligible foreign nurses may considered other work visas/status options such as:

1. TN under NAFTA: Registered nurses from Canada or Mexico may consider utilizing TN work status.
2. H-1B: Certain nurses from Canada, Mexico and other countries may also consider H-1B.  Depending on the type of employer-sponsor, new H-1B petitions are subject to the annual visa quota.    H-1B applies to positions requiring at least a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree.   Nurses who may qualify for H-1B status include advanced practice nurse such as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS); Nurse Practitioners (NP); Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)), nurse managers, and nursing administrators.   For more information on H-1B visa quota, please visit:  https://immigrationresource.net/quota-for-h-1b-cap-work-visas-has-been-reached-for-fy2013-june-12-2012/  .  Nurses holding H-1B status may also consider employment green card and/or family green card.

July 13, 2012: By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com

www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; http://immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, and individuals and their families in green card and work visa matters in U.S. immigration law. We also have a focus on green card cases such as extraordinary ability, national interest waiver and PERM.

All Rights Reserved.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as a legal advice or an attorney-client relationship.

More News

• Quota for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Been Reached for FY2013 (June 11, 2012)
• Washington, DC USCIS in Fairfax, Virginia: Saturday I-485 and I-751 Interviews
• 48,400 H-1B Regular Cap Work Visas, and 17,500 H-1B Master’s Degree Exemption Visas Received for FY2013 (May 25, 2012)
• Experiencing Green Card Delays? Waiting for Immigrant Visa Numbers? Opening a business or investing in the U.S.? Are you an Inventor or skilled worker in the U.S.? November 20, 2014 Executive Actions
• USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 Visa Quotas, and Random Selection Process (Lottery) Completed on April 10, 2014
• Citizenship Civics Test in 7 Languages & Exemption for Green Card Holders of at Least 20 Years Who Are Over 65 Years Old
• H-1B Visa Numbers Almost Finished! 55,600 H-1B Regular Cap Work Visas, and 18,700 H-1B Master’s Degree Exemption Visas Received for FY2013 (June 1, 2012)
• 36,700 H-1B Regular Cap Work Visas, and 14,800 H-1B Master’s Degree Exemption Visas Received for FY2013 (May 11, 2012)