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01 Jul 2020

Now that Trump has signed an executive order to suspend approval of green cards for those outside of the U.S., can we still apply for I-130 for parents who are in India?

Answer The Executive Order only prohibits the issuance of visas at consulates. It does not prevent the adjudication of I-130 petitions, and these should progress normally, as far as we know. (01.Jul.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on...

10:30 / Consulates / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
17 Jun 2020

I am a U.S. citizen, and my parents are currently visiting from India. They had planned on going home in May, but that has not been possible. Can I sponsor them for a green card now? Does President Trump’s executive order prohibit that?

Answer U.S. citizens normally can apply for their parents' "green cards" if they are physically present in the U.S. and have been legally admitted. This is done by filing an application for adjustment of status. The rules from the Trump administration, thus far, have had no...

08:04 / Citizen / Consulates / Employment Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
05 Jun 2020

June 2020 Visa Bulletin Check-In

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Oppenheim is currently working from home, and therefore is unable to access certain government databases....

16:58 / Consulates / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Investor / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News / Visa Bulletin
27 May 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Plans to Resume In-Person Services on 04.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) will resume on June 4, 2020. Per the announcement, the USCIS is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control...

16:36 / Citizen / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker
13 May 2020

Updated Visa Bulletin Information and Predictions

During a recent virtual meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provided some updated information and a couple of predictions regarding the monthly visa bulletin. All predictions refer to...

09:15 / Consulates / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News / Visa Bulletin
22 Apr 2020

Deadline Extended for Comments on Proposal to Add Bank Details to I-864 Affidavits of Support

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the deadline for the public to submit comments on proposed revisions to the affidavit of support that is required for most family-based immigrant petitions (form I-864), and the corresponding forms I-864A and I-864EZ. The public now...

08:26 / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident
21 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! Trump to Suspend Issuance of Green Cards for 60 Days

Moments ago, President Trump provided some additional details on his plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States." The President will sign an executive order that will suspend the issuance of green cards for 60 days. It appears nonimmigrants will not be impacted by...

18:32 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / Worker
21 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Waiving In-Person Interview Requirements for Some Cases

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has received numerous reports of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sporadically waiving the in-person interview requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the reports are related to family and employment-based adjustment-of-status (form I-485) cases. The USCIS suspended...

10:57 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News
01 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS In-Person Services Suspended Until at Least 03.May.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) will remain suspended until at least May 3, 2020. In-person services may resume on May 4, 2020, depending upon what transpires with...

10:31 / Citizen / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident
20 Mar 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Temporarily Accepting Forms with Photocopied Signatures

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that, effective March 21, 2020, it will begin accepting all benefit forms and documents with reproduced signatures. Per the announcement, "[t]his means that a document may be scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced provided that the...

16:30 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Worker