Congress is poised to pass an omnibus spending bill that would include a provision to reauthorize the EB5 regional center program. Assuming the bill is signed into law, it would also make a number of important changes to the EB5 program. Overview of Proposed Changes In addition...
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has completed its review of a final rule that would make premium processing available to additional categories of immigration benefits. The text of the rule has not yet been released, but, if implemented, the rule may make premium...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Ukraine for temporary protected status (TPS), due to the Russian invasion, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.Effective November 21, 2014, nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone living in the United States are eligible to...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun issuing employment authorization documents (EADs) separately from advance parole (AP) documents. This is being done in an effort to clear backlogs in EAD applications. Background on "Combo Cards" When a foreign national files an I-485 adjustment of status...
Answer No, we are still waiting for the Biden Administration to make a decision on granting TPS and/or other immigration relief for Ukrainians in the United States. A number of lawmakers and scores of organizations have asked the Biden Administration to act on this immediately. We...
The U.S. Department of State has posted the following updated instructions regarding consular services currently available for Ukrainians: The U.S. Mission to Ukraine is not currently offering visa services. Beginning immediately, Ukrainian immigrant visas (IVs) other than adoption cases will be processed at Consulate General Frankfurt,...
Ur M. Jaddou, the Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), recently announced the agency's new mission statement. The Trump Administration had previously changed the USCIS mission statement to shift the agency's attention toward enforcement, rather than providing immigration services. This mission statement...
Answer Last summer, the U.S. Senate passed the United States Innovation and Competition Act. Earlier this month, the U.S. House passed its own version of the bill, called the America COMPETES Act. In order for the bill to be sent to the President to sign into...
H1B cap filing season is nearly upon us, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) again will use the electronic registration system, which was first implemented in March 2020. Below are answers to several frequently asked questions sent by both foreign nationals and prospective...
Answer Ordinarily, there is no need for the principal spouse to have a valid H1B visa "stamp" in order for a consulate to issue an H-4 visa to the dependent spouse or child. (17.Feb.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For...
