08 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! Government Report Confirms Many Nonimmigrants Eligible for Stimulus Payment

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), which works exclusively for the United States Congress to provide nonpartisan policy and legal analysis, has released a report confirming that many nonimmigrants are eligible to receive recovery rebates (frequently referred to as stimulus checks) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,...

03 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! AILA Sues DHS, Demands Extension of All Deadlines

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), asking the court to order the DHS to "toll any and all deadlines for initial applications, responses to any and all requests for evidence or other responses...

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...

26 Mar 2020

I do not currently have health insurance. In my state, they are offering Coronavirus testing at no cost. If I get tested, will it create public charge issues for me?

Answer In order to encourage testing and treatment of COVID-19, the USCIS is waiving all public charge considerations directly related to this virus. Per the announcement, "USCIS will neither consider testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as...

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...

19 Mar 2020

I heard that the USCIS shut down its field offices. Will this impact my pending H1B extension? What about my wife’s H-4 application?

Answer For the time being, the USCIS service centers are still in operation. This means that many types of applications and petitions, including H1B petitions, should continue to be processed. However, biometrics appointments are on hold. Therefore, if your wife has not yet had her biometrics...

19 Mar 2020

I am in H-4 status. I was working for a company, but was just laid off due to the Coronavirus. Am I eligible to collect unemployment? Would that make me a public charge?

Answer Unemployment benefits generally are not taken into consideration for public charge purposes. However, you would need to check with your state's unemployment agency to see if you qualify for this benefit. (18.Mar.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information...