Misc News Archives • Page 4 of 16 • Kidambi & Associates, P.C.

USCIS Increases Automatic Extension Period of Work Permits for Certain Applicants

kidambil2022-05-03T14:46:01+00:00May 3, 2022|

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), available to certain EAD renewal applicants, to up to 540 days. The increase, which will be effective immediately on May 4, 2022, will help avoid gaps in employment for noncitizens with pending [...]

USCIS Service Center Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to All Forms

kidambil2022-04-15T16:41:24+00:00Apr 15, 2022|

As part of USCIS’ credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for all forms. The goal of this pilot is to bring USCIS one step closer to accepting digital payments using a credit card at all service centers. This [...]

Reminder: DHS To End COVID-19 Temporary Policy for Expired List B Identity Documents

kidambil2022-04-15T16:40:04+00:00Apr 15, 2022|

DHS is ending the COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents. Beginning May 1, Employers will no longer be able to accept expired List B documents. DHS adopted the temporary policy in response to the difficulties many individuals experienced with renewing documents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that document-issuing authorities have reopened and/or provided [...]

“Remember who you are!” A Nation in Need of Knowing its History

kidambil2022-02-18T16:37:45+00:00Feb 18, 2022|

In this blog post, AILA member Vaman Kidambi shares insights into the new USCIS mission statement and how it recognizes and honors our nation's diversity; he also highlights the important work of the American Immigration Council's Center for Inclusions and Belonging.

USCIS Updates Guidance on National Interest Waivers

kidambil2022-01-28T22:26:56+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS announced updated guidance on adjudicating requests for “National Interest Waivers” regarding job offer and labor certification requirements for certain advanced degree professionals and individuals of exceptional ability. This includes discussing the unique considerations for persons with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and entrepreneurs.

Opportunity for Academic Training Extensions for J-1 College and University Students in STEM Fields

kidambil2022-01-28T22:25:30+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

The Directorate of Private Sector Exchange (Private Sector) is announcing an initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This opportunity is in response to the recent Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education. Department-designated sponsors have also expressed [...]

USCIS Issues Policy Alert for O-1 Nonimmigrant Status for Persons of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

kidambil2022-01-28T22:21:02+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on persons in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as how USCIS determines whether an O-1 beneficiary’s prospective work is within the beneficiary’s area [...]

2022-Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines

kidambil2022-01-28T22:19:27+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

Health and Human Services (HHS) notice providing the annual update of the HHS poverty guidelines to account for last calendar year’s increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index, effective 1/12/22. (87 FR 3315, 1/21/22)

USCIS Announces Exceptionally High Number of Employment-Based Visas Available in FY2022

kidambil2022-01-28T22:18:35+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS updated its website to note that there are an exceptionally high number of employment-based visas available this fiscal year, October 2021 to September 2022. There are many more visas available in the first and second employment-based categories than AOS applications pending with USCIS.

USCIS Provides Updated Criteria for Determining If a Case Warrants Expedited Treatment

kidambil2022-01-28T22:17:15+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how they determine whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately. This update: Clarifies the criteria and circumstances under which we generally consider expedite requests from nonprofit organizations as determined by the Internal Revenue Service Provides additional examples of [...]