State Department

Updates on UNNJ – Scenarios Encountered | Law Show Dedicated to UNNJ

April 6 2016 - During our discussions with situations of the (University of Northern New Jersey - UNNJ), we have seen a bunch of scenarios: A. Students who were currently enrolled in UNNJ until it was closed! B. Those who have been arrested. C. Those who have been questioned by DHS officers or other authorities. D. Those who have already transferred to another schools or to another visas. DON'T MISS OUR SHOW ON WWW.KLOK1170AM.COM ON AM RADIO AND ONLINE FROM 10AM TO 11AM ON APRIL THURSDAY 8TH The video covers some possible solutions,…Read More Breaking News

Misleading information from UNNJ – Were the students just victims?

ICE is talking about the big sting operation on the so-called University of Northern New Jersey (UNNJ) arresting agents and punishing students by cutting their SEVIS. While unfortunately many students actually used "agents" or "consultants" to get into UNNJ, many others were just duped through the website, the Facebook and the recommendations thinking it was an accredited genuine university. The question is whether ICE and SEVIS are actually taking into consideration: - What happens if the students have never violated a visa before? - What happens to those who directly called the school…Read More Breaking News

ICE set up “fake” University to trap foreign students and agents.

April 5 2015 - ICE set up a "fake" school called the University of Northern New Jersey (UNNJ) and ultimately 'trapped' 21 agents from India and China which offered a scheme with UNNJ. The administrators were federal agents posing as administrators.  According to ABC news: "It never had classes, only offices staffed by federal agents who posed as school administrators. "The University of Northern New Jersey was just another stop on the pay-to-stay tour," said Fishman. The people accused in the scheme, enabled approximately 1,076 foreign individuals, primary from China and India, to fraudulently…Read More Breaking News

Is USCIS abusing RFEs and NOIDs?

  • Posted on March 30, 2016
  • /Under H1B
  Recently we have noticed a surge in requests for evidence(RFE) and notice of intent to deny(NOID).  While the RFEs and NOIDs are normal tools adopted by the USCIS to look into cases which have insufficient information or for clarification, officers has the discretion to actually issue RFEs or NOIDs under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8).  The rule also allows officers to issue denials without RFEs or NOIDs. However accordingly to a policy memorandum issued in June 3, 2013 (Requests for Evidence (Final)),"...an RFE is not to be issued when the evidence already submitted establishes…Read More Breaking News

Alert from ICE to Student those I-515A Form

Alert: Student Visa Crackdown: Form I-551A non compliance Beginning April 1, 2016, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will send “Intent to Terminate” notices to nonimmigrant students (F-1/M-1), exchange visitors (J-1) and dependents (F-2/M-2/J-2) who failed to comply with the Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” directive by the specified deadline. Recipients of the “Intent to Terminate” notices will have 14 days, as of the date the notice is sent, to respond to the Form I-515A. Failure to comply will result in the termination of the their SEVIS record. For…Read More Breaking News

5 Tips how to answer an OPT/CPT RFE

  • Posted on March 25, 2016
  • /Under CPT
Recently we have handled many RFEs (Request for Evidence) cases on OPT (Optional Practical Training) , H1B and H4 EAD RFEs based on OPT or CPT (Curriculum Practical Training). The idea of those RFEs are to make sure that the students did not abuse OPTs or CPTs. The most common questions on those are based on the time of the candidates F1 student/OPT visas namely: Proving that the students have actually attended classes including proving their living within commuting distance of the schools; How much was being paid under OPT and CPT; Details…Read More Breaking News

Breaking News – K1 Visa Cases for Canadian nationals will only be processed in Montreal!

March 24 2015 - Today the State Department announced that all K1 visa for Canadian nationals will be processed only in Montreal. Other consulates will still process other kinds of visa except the K1 visas. We recommend our clients to take all the necessary documents and be ready in case they have to travel to Montreal, Canada to have their K1 visa interview. Below is part of the following "Starting April 1, 2016, the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver will no longer process K-1 visas, also known as fiancé(e) visas. The U.S. Consulate…Read More Breaking News

Automatic Revalidation of I-94: For those who want Travel to Mexico, Canada and Adjacent islands

Applies H-1B / H-4, F1, OPT, and few other non-immigrant visa status individuals   Summer is coming and many are planning to travel for short vacations less than 30 days to Mexico, Canada or on short cruises. Usually a visa stamp on the passport is required to be able to travel abroad. However, there is an exception for H4, H1, F1 visas, OPT students and some other non-immigrant visa holders to travel without needing a visa stamp on their passport. This process is called the automatic revalidation (as per revalidation of I-94 status).…Read More Breaking News

Filing your EB permanent residence while you are abroad

Mar 22, 2016 — Many who are tired of waiting want to know if either they can file their permanent residence (EB category) while in India or can they wait in India while the I-140 is being processed? This video explains the possibilities of such a plan. We also have another video for F1 students to move directly to a permanent residence (greencard) please watch it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLkWJQEjivk Both of the above follow the same concept of future employment. Make sure you have a lawyer who understands the concept of future employment before applying.Read More Breaking News

Visa Bulletin Predictions for May 2016

March 20 2016 - Since last months we have attempted to assess the visa bulletin and we have come up for some dates on the visa bulletin May 2016. We are hoping both EB2 and EB3 India will move although not to a great extent. Listen to the video and comment about your thoughts. The assessment is based on the I-485 inventory chart and also the previous visa bulletin. Nothing in this video guarantees that this will actually happen, however, it can somehow predict the changes we are expecting for May 2016 Visa…Read More Breaking News

NEW RULE FOR STEM OPT: EXTENSIONS AND EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS

On March 11, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security issued a new and final rule: Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students. WHAT IS OPT? Students who are in the United States on an F visa have the option of working within the United States by performing practical training employment, either during their academic program or upon completion of their program. The two categories of practical training employment are CPT, Curricular Practical Training, and OPT, Optional Practical Training. Either CPT or…Read More Breaking News

5 Reasons Not To Celebrate on the New STEM OPT Rule – Effective May 10 2016

The new long awaited Optional Practical Training (OPT ) rule allowing an extension of 24 months for STEM student is out and will be effective as from May 10 2016 when STEM students will be eligible to apply. While the rule is a relief for many, it can actually be also be a ‘headache’ for others. We have tried to explain the new rule of STEM OPT on this video Below are few points that need to be noted regarding the new STEM OPT: 1. The emphasis on Training and Monitoring. “DHS has…Read More Breaking News

Filing a technical IT H1B with no Technical Academic IT background.

March 8, 2016 - With the H1B new Cap season fast approaching, many students are finding it hard to get jobs in their field of study and want to move to an IT position for the H1B. There are many complications in doing this, however it is not impossible. The video below covers the issues related to such a move. Feel free to call us at 510 7425887, should you need any help.Read More Breaking News