08
Oct
2012
USCIS on Immigration Benefits After Death of Qualifying Relative
This MurthyDotCom article has been updated. Find it here....
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17
Sep
2012
USCIS Prioritizing H1B Cap Subject Cases
There continue to be delays in processing H1B petitions. This issue involves both the California Service Center (CSC) as well as the Vermont Service Center (VSC). The matter is urgent for cap-subject cases as the H1B start date of October 1, 2012, which is requested...
10
Sep
2012
USCIS on Assistance for Those Affected by Hurricane Isaac
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently posted information helpful to foreign nationals facing immigration-related difficulties as a result of Hurricane Isaac. Natural disasters inevitably create disruptions that may make it impossible to meet all immigration requirements and deadlines. The USCIS generally makes reasonable...
07
Sep
2012
Form I-9 Remains Valid Beyond August 2012
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently confirmed that the employment eligibility verification (I-9) form, available on the USCIS WebSite, remains valid despite its stated expiration date of August 31, 2012. The USCIS process for making changes to the I-9 and releasing a new...
07
Sep
2012
H1B Amendment Requirement for Change in Job Location
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) continues to seek clarification from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the need to amend the H1B petition for a worker whose work location has changed. As explained in this MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, expectations are clearly shifting from...
04
Sep
2012
USCIS Approves Full Quota of U Visa Applications
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on August 21, 2012, that for the third straight year it has approved 10,000 U visa petitions, the maximum quota allowed under the law. This clearly demonstrates the importance of this category, available to victims of certain...
24
Aug
2012
Religious Accommodations for Photographs and Fingerprints
The USCIS issued a policy memorandum on July 23, 2012 detailing current policies regarding available accommodations for religious beliefs as it relates to immigration photographs and fingerprinting requirements. The memo makes it clear that, while some accommodations are available, the USCIS will not waive photograph...
07
Aug
2012
NewsFlash! USCIS Expands Hours for NCSC
The USCIS announced today that the agency is expanding National Customer Service Center (NCSC) hours to include Saturdays. Customer service representatives will now be available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in each time zone. The NCSC can...
26
Jun
2012
AILA 2012 Conference Update: Religious Worker Issues
There are some important matters of interest to individuals present in the United States as religious workers, which were discussed at the 2012 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual Conference, held recently in Nashville, TN. These issues involve the upcoming sunset of certain portions of the...
25
Jun
2012
AILA 2012 Conference Update: Electronic Immigration System
During a session at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual Conference in Nashville, TN last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided initial feedback regarding the recently launched Electronic Immigration System (ELIS). Discussed here for our readers are the preliminary USCIS experiences...