USCIS has stated that the flexibilities put in place in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end on March 23, 2023. The agency had previously indicated on January 24, 2023 that, barring any further pandemic-related changes, the extension of these flexibilities announced in January would be the final one. Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq. Kulen Law…
The USCIS has revealed that F-1 students who are waiting for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields who have applied for an extension of their OPT and are waiting for approval on their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, can now apply for premium processing. The online filing of Form I-907,…
The following is a summary of some of the key points in the article “AILA Liaison Questions and NVC Responses on Document Review and Visa Scheduling” published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in February 2023: The National Visa Center (NVC) confirmed that it completed 343,277 documentarily complete cases in FY2022, compared to 342,392 in FY2021. As of 27…
DOS posted the visa bulletin for March 2023. USCIS determined that for March 2023, all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart in the visa bulletin. According to March 2023 visa bulletin, visa numbers will still be current for Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age)…
USCIS announced that it is extending flexibilities previously announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain agency requests in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This flexibility applies if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2023. This includes Requests for Evidence, Notice…
DHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register proposing amendments to USCIS filing fees on certain immigration and naturalization applications. Previously, USCIS stated that current fees do not cover operational costs to timely adjudicate USCIS immigration and naturalization benefits. For this reason, they needed a new fee schedule to avoid the accumulation of future backlogs. DHS announced that the…
Starting November 12, 2021, USCIS announced an important update that L-2 and E-dependent spouses are no longer required to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) to work in the United States. If L-2 and E dependents want to apply for an EAD as proof of work authorization, they are entitled to have automatic extensions of EADs for up to…
USCIS announced new designs to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards and Employment Authorization Documents. USCIS started issuing redesigned cards on January 30, 2023. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service for the applicants. Current cards will remain valid until their expiration date (unless otherwise noted, such…
The Child Protection Act (CSPA) is an immigration law that addresses the issue of minor children “aging out” of eligibility for immigration benefits. The Act provides relief to certain beneficiaries who would have otherwise lost their eligibility for immigration benefits due to their age. Under previous CSPA guidance, published in May 2018, USCIS only considered a visa available for CSPA…
ADIT stamp is a temporary proof of permanent residency that is placed in a foreign national’s passport or an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer. The stamp indicates that the individual has been approved for permanent residency and is authorized to live and work in the United States while…
