NEWS
USCIS will publish a final rule on July 24 bringing significant changes EB-5 Program
USCIS will publish a final rule on July 24 that makes a number of significant changes to its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, marking the first significant revision of the program’s regulations since 1993. The final rule will become effective [...]
USCIS Announces Plan to Improve the Naturalization Test
USCIS is revising the current naturalization test with improvements to ensure it continues to serve as an accurate measure of a naturalization applicant’s civics knowledge and that it reflects best practices in adult education assessments. The former USCIS director signed [...]
USCIS discontinues courtesy premium processing for concurrently filed H4/L2 applicants
We have been informed that due to the new biometrics requirement for all I‑539 applicants, USCIS has discontinued its prior practice of providing premium processing as a courtesy for I‑539s filed concurrently with an I‑129 petition. We believe this could [...]
RFEs, RFEs and Still more RFEs – The Continuing Assault on the H-1B Program
It was obvious, panic and frustration had gripped my client. She blurted out, “they’re killing it, aren’t they?” She was referring to a memo that had just been issued by the USCIS, but it almost sounded like she was referring [...]
House Passes Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act H.R. 1044
On 7/10/19, the House passed H.R. 1044 by a vote of 365 to 65. If enacted, the bill would eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants and increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants from 7 percent to [...]
USCIS 60-Day Notice and Request for Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Electronic H-1B Registration Tool
USCIS 60-day notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to the electronic H-1B Registration Tool. Comments are due 8/26/19. Federal Register Notice
USCIS Releases Naturalization Fact Sheet for FY2018
USCIS released a fact sheet on naturalization including information about the naturalization process and naturalization statistics for FY2018.
USCIS Expands FIRST: A Fully Digital FOIA System
USCIS is announcing the expansion of its digital Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Immigration Records System (FIRST). FIRST is the only system in the U.S. government that allows users to submit and track FOIA requests and receive documents digitally. This [...]
USCIS Releases Report on H-1B Approvals and Denials for Top 30 Employers for FY2018
USCIS released a report on H-1B approvals and denials for the top 30 employers with the most initial and continuing approvals for FY2018. The report also includes data on the percentage of completions with RFEs from FY2015 to the first [...]
USCIS Releases Data on H-1B Receipts, Completions, and RFEs
USCIS releases data on H-1B receipts, completions, and RFE from FY2015 to FY2019 (through 3/31/19).
USCIS Will Begin Premium Processing for Remaining H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions on June 10, 2019
USCIS will begin premium processing for all remaining FY2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions on 6/10/19. Petitioners may file a Request for Premium Processing Service, with the USCIS service center processing their petition on that date. USCIS will not use pre-paid mailers [...]
Certain Non-immigrants Can Now File Form I-539 Online
You may file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status, online if you are applying as a single applicant (without co-applicants, or legal or accredited representation) to extend your stay and you hold status as a: B-1 temporary visitor for [...]
USCIS Accelerates Transition to Digital Immigration Processing
USCIS announced a new strategy known as eProcessing to accelerate USCIS’ transition to a digital business model. eProcessing will be a complete digital experience, from applying for a benefit, to communicating with USCIS, through receiving a decision on a [...]
New, increased fees for international students, exchange visitors, SEVP-certified schools
DHS has finalized changes to fees charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect June 24, 2019. Read the news release. Fee increases include: The [...]
HandiCAPping Anyone? Making Sense of the H-1B Random Selection Process
On May 17th, the USCIS announced it had completed data entry for all fiscal year 2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random selection process, including those selected under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Now, the Service will begin [...]
USCIS Provides Historical National Average Processing Times for All USCIS Offices
USCIS provides historical national average processing times for select forms based on all USCIS offices for FY2014 through the second quarter of FY2019 (as of March 31, 2019).
USCIS Announces TSC to Begin Accepting Certain Forms I-129
USCIS announced that on 5/20/19, the Texas Service Center (TSC) will begin processing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for certain H-1B cap-exempt petition. Read the news release.
USCIS Completes Data Entry of FY2020 H‑1B Cap-Subject Petitions
Today, USCIS announced that it had completed data entry for all FY2020 H‑1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random selection process, including those selected under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. USCIS will now begin returning unselected petitions. Additionally, USCIS [...]
White House Issues Memo on Combating High Non-immigrant Overstay Rates
The White House issued a memo on combating high non-immigrant visa overstay rates. Among other things, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the AG and Secretary of Homeland Security, shall provide recommendations of actions to take to reduce [...]
CBP Announces I-94 Numbers Will Become Alphanumeric
CBP announced that beginning in May 2019, I-94 numbers will be alphanumeric. Prior to May 2019, I-94 numbers were 11 digits long and only contained numbers. This change is due to the depletion of numeric-only I-94 numbers and to create [...]