Current and prospective foreign national students may find it difficult to navigate through all the available options for studying in the United States, and the requirements that must be met. With this in mind, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled a new web portal...
In October 2013, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unexpectedly began denying optional practical training (OPT) STEM extension applications submitted by F-1 students who had served as unpaid interns during their initial 12-month stays in OPT. Two foreign...
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has submitted proposed regulatory changes intended to improve the F-1 and M-1 student programs. The changes potentially would provide more resources in the form of additional designated school officials (DSOs). The proposals would also provide better options to F-1 and...
In a recent and concerning adjudication trend, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun denying F-1 optional practical training (OPT) STEM extension applications filed by students who engaged in employment as unpaid interns during the initial 12...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a news alert on November 15, 2013, reminding those impacted by the devastation in the Philippines created by Typhoon Haiyan that certain forms of immigration relief may be available. This reminder covers a number of general provisions applicable...
The U.S. government is in a state of partial shutdown as of October 1, 2013 due to an inability to obtain congressional agreement on appropriations. As of October 1st, the Department of Labor iCert system is unavailable. This system is used for both PERM labor...
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has changed an important F-1 student-related procedure. As of July 31, 2013, the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) no longer mails I-797C, notice of action receipts for payments of Form I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information...
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) ordered the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) on July 15, 2013 to close its operations in the United States. This action places UNVA students in limbo, with regard to both their academic and immigration status. With...
The State Council of Higher Education for Northern Virginia (SCHEV) resolved to revoke the University of Northern Virginia's (UNVA) Certificate to Operate. This action was taken on July 15, 2013, based upon UNVA's failure to meet previously-agreed upon time lines related to accreditation.The actions of...
Given the volume of cases the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews, it should come as no surprise that the agency, from time to time, makes mistakes when issuing requests for evidence (RFEs). However, one must distinguish between an actual mistake and something that...
