09 Jan 2017

I am on H1B and I have an approved I-140 on EB2. If I move outside the U.S. for a couple of years, can my GC case continue? Does it matter if my H1B expires during that time?

Answer The I-140 and H1B are completely separate. One's I-140 will remain valid in this situation, and can be used to obtain permanent residence when the priority date becomes current, assuming the job is still available. (09.Jan.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other...

29 Dec 2016

NewsFlash! USCIS Agrees to Accept Previous Editions of Most Forms Until Feb 21, 2017

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the following announcement this afternoon: When new fees for most of our forms went into effect on December 23, 2016, we published updated versions of the forms at uscis.gov/forms. We strongly encourage customers to submit these new versions,...

29 Dec 2016

DOE Response to MLF Attorneys on Validity of Degree Issued Prior to University’s Loss of Accreditation

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally will only recognize a U.S. degree that is issued by an accredited institution. Moreover, the accreditation must be granted by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). How is a degree viewed, however,...

23 Dec 2016

NewsFlash! USCIS Issues Slew of Revised Forms; Prior Versions No Longer Valid for Most

Please read the 29.Dec.16 update on this information. Updated Information This afternoon, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued a practice alert related to the new forms. It states, in part: AILA reached out to USCIS … to demand a grace period during which prior form versions could...

23 Dec 2016

January 2017 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Explanations and Predictions

Charles Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division for the U.S. Department of State (DOS), supplies visa bulletin explanations nearly every month. This month's update regarding the January 2017 Visa Bulletin provides insights and predictions related to most of the employment-based immigrant visa...