As previously reported (02.Oct.2015), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a new proposed rule on STEM optional practical training (OPT) for review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Notice of the submission is available online, but, at present, no specifics regarding the...
A new self-check function has been added to the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE) program. The SAVE system is used by federal, state, and local agencies to check a person's immigration status when s/he is applying for a...
As the controversy over the October 2015 Visa Bulletin continues, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the November 2015 Visa Bulletin. There is no movement in this month's visa bulletin under the dates for filing (DF) chart. But, some cutoff dates do move...
A federal judge has rejected a motion filed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges a pattern of delays by the CBP in releasing documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The U.S. District Court for...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for November 2015 does not alter the employment-based (EB) dates for filing established in the revised October 2015 Visa Bulletin. Those EB cases eligible for filing in October will also be eligible for filing in November 2015.Final...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that "… petitions filed on or after October 1, 2015, should not include the additional fee that was previously required by … Public Law 111-230 … for certain H1B and L-1 petitions." This filing fee, which only...
A Federal Court has denied a motion for relief in connection with the October 2015 Visa Bulletin. The motion requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) requiring the USCIS to accept form I-485 filings based upon the initially published October visa bulletin.The motion is part of...
According to reports in both the United States and Indian press, progress has been made toward including India in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry program. This program facilitates travel by individuals who have undergone additional security checks. Prescreened, low-risk travelers participating...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued instructions for entry in the fiscal year 2017 (FY17) diversity visa (DV) lottery. The DV lottery, often called the "green card" lottery, grants 50,000 visa numbers each year to qualified applicants. Registration for FY17 began on October...
All U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe will be closed to the public on Friday, October 9, 2015. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) determined that this one-day closure is necessary in order to perform a system upgrade. Some overseas application service centers (ASCs),...
