On June 18, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced initiatives to enhance the efficiency of obtaining employment-based nonimmigrant visas for U.S. college graduates with job offers. This effort aims to expedite visa processing for eligible individuals. As part of these measures, the Department will provide clearer guidelines to consular officers on recommending waivers of ineligibility to the Department of Homeland Security…
Effective May 6, 2024, USCIS has relocated the processing of Forms I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, for following-to-join refugees (FTJ-R) from the Asylum Vetting Center to the USCIS International Operations Division. This change aims to enhance efficiency in handling these petitions by establishing a dedicated team for initial domestic processing. All pending Form I-730 FTJ-R petitions will automatically transfer from the…
There have been widespread reports of USCIS experiencing issues with erroneous rejections and delays in issuing receipts. Stakeholders, including various organizations, have raised concerns and provided numerous examples to USCIS. They are urging USCIS to allow affected parties to refile with updated forms and fees established before April 1, while recognizing original receipt dates. Efforts to address these issues continue…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed amendments to clarify regulations regarding the 9-11 Response & Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas. The proposed changes aim to interpret statutory language more clearly, requiring covered employers to submit the 9-11 Biometric Fee for all extension-of-stay petitions, including those without a change of employer. This fee will continue to…
USCIS has completed the transition of their email messaging service to a “.gov” email address. Moving forward, emails from this feed will originate from the sender address “uscis@messages.dhs.gov” and will no longer display the “@public.govdelivery.com” handle. This change is to ensure transparency and authenticity in the messages. Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq. Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
The Department of State has issued a final rule allowing private attorneys, interpreters, and others to accompany individuals during certain appointments at passport agencies, U.S. embassies, and consulates abroad to assist the applicant. This rule applies specifically to appointments related to passport applications, requests for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad or Certificates of Loss of Nationality, and certain other services…
