Breaking News

This category is updated daily on interesting U.S. immigration news pertaining to family immigration, employment immigration and other immigration issues. The updates are meant to quickly keep our readers aware of the ever changing immigration laws and all the related aspects. For more information check our entire website on specific topics. Note that this blog does not cover all aspects of immigration news.

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USCIS simplifies fee payment

September 1 2015 - USCIS has simplified the process for paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee online in our electronic immigration system. The revised payment process reduces the amount of information an immigrant must provide to USCIS. Additionally, in response to customer feedback, anyone can now pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee for an immigrant. For example, a family member, friend, employer, attorney, or accredited representative can pay the fee as long as they have the immigrant’s Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and DOS Case ID. The USCIS Immigrant Fee is required for individuals immigrating to…Read More Breaking News

U Visa Data on I-918 from 2009 to 2015 Released

September 2 2015 - This chart is the data on the number of I-918 Petitions for U Nonimmigrant Status (Victims of Certain Criminal Activities and Family Members) by Fiscal Year, Quarter, and Case Status 2009-2015. From 2009 to 2014, the number of pending U visas has increased around 4 times (from 21,138 to 79,009). Simultaneously the number of application has increased from 2009 to 2014 from 6835 to 26, 039. Based on this data, we can conclude that the number of U visa applications increase is what is causing the delay in certain…Read More Breaking News

Shah Peerally Immigration radio show – August 31 2015

September 1 2015 - The Shah Peerally Law Show of August 31 2015 recorded live from KlOK 1170 AM was very interesting because it covered topics such as H1B transfers, I-140 and transfer to another company, H4 visas, H4 EAD, Fiancee K1 visas, marriage petitions, adjustment of status and many other issues including choosing between H1B and H4 EAD. Listen to the recorded show and please share.Read More Breaking News

TPS for Haiti Extended

August 28 2015 - The TPS (Temporary Protected Status) for Haiti has been extended. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Haiti’s designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months. The extended designation is effective Jan. 23, 2016, through July 22, 2017. Current TPS Haiti beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that runs from Aug. 25, 2015, through Oct. 26, 2015. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins. USCIS…Read More Breaking News

Delays in Card Productions

August 27 2015 - According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association and from our own experience, it seems that many cards production including EADs and Green Cards are being delayed by the USCIS. In fact, the USCIS has confirmed this situation. According to the USCIS, the card production facility in Corbin, KY is undergoing maintenance, and all card production work was transferred to the facility in Lee's Summit, MO. As a result, there is a backlog of cases in Lee's Summit, and clients may not receive their cards until two-three weeks after approval…Read More Breaking News

USCIS discontinues some E-filings.

USCIS will discontinue its legacy e-Filing system in order to maintain data security standards and focus resources on the replacement Electronic Immigration System. The legacy e-Filing system has offered online filing for several USCIS forms. After the system is decommissioned, you must use paper forms when filing all categories of: Form I-131, Application for Travel Document Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service >>Read MoreRead More Breaking News

The Shah Peerally Law Show August 20 2015

August 20 2015 - The Immigration law show hosted by Shah Peerally covered topics such as adjustment of status, change of status, H1B issues, H1B transfer, I-140 revocation, I-140 EAD, EB1 types, and other very interesting immigration issues. Listen to the recorded live show here.Read More Breaking News

Another VAWA Adjustment of Status Approval!

August 18  2015 -  Congratulations to our team for another difficult VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) approval and green card approval.  This case was especially difficult because of the short time of the marriage and the abuses were difficult to document. However, after the hard work of a clinical therapist and other conclusive evidence, we were able to prove the case and ultimately today our client obtained an approval notice.  The adjustment of status was also approved and now the VAWA applicant will now obtain her permanent resident card and can now live…Read More Breaking News

USCIS Releases Final New L1B Adjudication Memo.

August 17 2015 - USCIS has finally released the new L1B adjudication memo.  The requirement of "specialized occupation" is the issue which is allegedly clarified in this memo. "This policy memorandum provides guidance on the adjudication of the L-1B classification, which permits multinational companies to transfer employees who possess “specialized knowledge” from their foreign operations to their operations in the United States. It provides consolidated and authoritative guidance on the L-1B program, superseding and rescinding certain prior L-1B memoranda. This memorandum also updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by replacing AFM chapter 32.6(e) with the version included in…Read More Breaking News

The Shah Peerally Law Show August 13 2015

August 13 2015 - The Shah Peerally Law Show today covered interesting topics such as the current visa bulletin and September 2015 visa bulletin and all its related issues including H1B extensions, I-140 AC 21 issues, EB1 issues and delays on EB categories. Please listen and share the recorded live show.Read More Breaking News

District Court of DC says STEM 17 months OPT extension is invalid

In the case of Wash. Alliance of Tech. Workers v. DHS, 8/12/15 - The DC District Court held that the 17 OPT extension was invalid because it was passed without notice or public comments. However due to the hardship on the technology sector, the court is granting DHS until February 12 2016 to place notice and public comments on the regulatory board. The F1 student visa program regularly provides one year of an OPT (EAD - work authorization document) to student graduating from a United States institution. For those who fall under STEM…Read More Breaking News

According to the Migration Policy Institute DACA renewals still strong despite hurdles.

DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, famous for giving a chance to many youngsters who were undocumented in the United States with a limited work permit, has been suffering many drawbacks in the past year. However according to the Migration Policy Institute, the renewal of such permits still went strong for as much as 83% of the DACA recipients have actually renewed their EADs.  This demonstrates that this program is actually valuable to the immigrant community. If you need help or assistance with DACA, please call our office at 510 742 5887…Read More Breaking News

USCIS released a draft memorandum on EB5 investor visa.

SUBJECT: Guidance on the Job Creation Requirement and Sustainment of the Investment for EB-5 Adjudication of Form I-526 and Form I-829 Purpose This policy memorandum (PM) builds upon prior policy guidance for adjudicating EB-5 applications and petitions regarding the job creation requirement, and the requirement to sustain the investment during the conditional residence period. Scope On August 23, 2014, the Department of State (DOS) announced that all visas for the EB-5 Program became unavailable for individuals born in mainland China for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2014. For the first time in…Read More Breaking News

USCIS updates the form I-864, I-864A, I-864EZ, I-864W and Introduce Bar Code on the forms.

August 9 2015- USCIS updates the I-864 forms and introduces a new bar code system to facilitate the process. As from September 6, 2015 USCIS will no longer accept the older versions of the I-864 forms. It is interesting to actually read the instructions on the lockbox (LockBox Tips). Make sure you are compliant with the new rules. If you need help with your affidavit of support, family petitions or any immigration issues, feel free to call us at (510) 742 5887Read More Breaking News