Monthly Archives: December 2015

I-140 EAD – Draft not for Production

December 31 2015 - While the government has not officially announced the I-140 work authorization, it has hinted the possibility based on this new Draft Not for Production which underlines in RED the instructions of how to file for the EAD with an I-140. This is a good sign and we hope that we will see the I-140 EAD soon.  Read More Breaking News

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all. As you know this year has been full of surprises.  We have great news on beginning of the year with the H4 EAD, then possible I-140 EAD then of course the upward movement on the Visa Bulletin. Then as 2015 was closing, we started seeing a decline including the visa bulletin retrogression  then denial of many benefits to H1Bs, Student visas and refugees. We hope 2016 will be a better year than the last few months of 2015.  We wish you an your family a Happy New Year…Read More Breaking News

Senate Planning to cut H1B program by 15,000

December 14 2015 - Senator Ted Cruz is planning to introduce a bill which will actually cut the H1B visa program by 15,000. Right now the program has 65,000 regular cap and 20,000 masters cap.  This program is already over-subscribed in the past few years, the cutting of the H1B visa will be a major blow especially to students who came on an F1 student visa in the hope of getting a good job on H1B visas and ultimately live the American dream. In addition, there is a move to cut all OPTs…Read More Breaking News

January 2016 Visa Bulletin is out

DOS released the Visa Bulletin for January 2016, including the availability of immigrant numbers for "Application Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications." There was forward movement in the "dates for filing" and the "final action dates" for many of the family-based categories. In addition, there was forward movement in the "final action dates" for the employment-based, second preference category for India, which advanced to February 1, 2008, and for the employment-based, third preference category for China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. The "dates for filing" for the employment-based, third preference category…Read More Breaking News

President wants to Review the K1 visa program

December 7 2015 - President Obama has requested that the K1 visa program be reviewed. While it seems that the San Bernardino attackers had some sort of involvement with the K1 visa program, the truth is that the K1 visa is already strict and are subject to strict scrutiny. Penalizing innocents because of one case of situation is really unfair. We hope the government will actually be more realistic on the matter. As we get more information on the matter, we will update all our readers. In case you need help with any…Read More Breaking News

Chennai Floods and US embassies.

Our hearts go to Chennai where the flood has devastated an entire area. We do not have any news on how the cases which were scheduled in Chennai will be handle at the US embassy, however we are expecting delays and re-scheduling depending on the situation as per Monday. For all those who are stuck at the airport or with the visa stamping in Chennai, please be patient. Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is Closed The city of Chennai and surrounding areas in the south Indian state of…Read More Breaking News

Approval of Petitions and Applications after the Death of the Qualifying Relative under New Section 204(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

USCIS issued a policy memo implementing the decision in Williams v. DHS Secretary for all spousal immediate relative visa petitions under INA §204(l) after the death of a U.S. citizen petitioner. USCIS stated that it will follow the Williams decision for all cases, including those arising outside the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit. This memo partially supersedes the December 16, 2010, PM-602-0017, Approval of Petitions and Applications After the Death of the Qualifying Relative Under New Section 204(l) of the INA.Read More Breaking News