Category Archives: Immigration Law

The USCIS Drops “Nation of Immigrants” From Mission Statement

Posted on March 20, 2018 by The Immigration Group

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently changed its mission statement to remove the section describing the U.S. as “a nation of immigrants.” Before the recent change, the USCIS’s mission statement read: “USCIS secures America’s promise as a … Continue reading →

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USDOS Announces March Priority Dates For Filing Permanent Residency Applications

Posted on February 21, 2018 by The Immigration Group

The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of March 2018. Category Country of Chargeability Priority Date Comment EB-1 Worldwide Current Unchanged EB-1 China Current Unchanged EB-1 India Current Unchanged EB-1 Mexico … Continue reading →

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Work Permits for H-4 Spouses Face Uncertain Future

Posted on January 24, 2018 by The Immigration Group

Based on current political talks, work permits (“EADs”) for H-4 visa holders may no longer be an option. The current law states that spouses of H-1B visa holders, also known as H-4 visa holders, may not apply for work authorization. … Continue reading →

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USDOS Announces February Priority Dates For Filing Permanent Residency Applications

Posted on January 24, 2018 by The Immigration Group

The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of February 2018. Category Country of Chargeability Priority Date Comment EB-1 Worldwide Current Unchanged EB-1 China Current Unchanged EB-1 India Current Unchanged EB-1 Mexico … Continue reading →

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USDOS Announces December Priority Dates For Filing Permanent Residency Applications

Posted on November 27, 2017 by The Immigration Group

The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of December 2017. Category Country of Chargeability Priority Date Comment EB-1 Worldwide Current Unchanged EB-1 China           Current Unchanged EB-1 India           Current Unchanged … Continue reading →

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USCIS Increases Scrutiny for Nonimmigrant Extension Petitions

Posted on November 14, 2017 by The Immigration Group

In a policy memorandum dated October 23, 2017, the USCIS announced that it has instructed its adjudicating officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension petitions for H-1B, L-1, TN, and other nonimmigrant categories. … Continue reading →

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USDOS Announces November Priority Dates For Filing Permanent Residency Applications

Posted on October 18, 2017 by The Immigration Group

The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of November 2017. Category Country of Chargeability Priority Date Comment EB-1 Worldwide Current Unchanged EB-1 China           Current Unchanged EB-1 India           Current Unchanged … Continue reading →

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Spouses of Employment-Based Visa Holders May Now Apply for Work Authorization and Social Security Number via Form I-765

Posted on October 9, 2017 by The Immigration Group

Spouses of employment-based visa holders who hold H-4, L-2 or E status may now apply for work authorization and a Social Security Number via Form I-765, instead of appearing at a local Social Security Administration office. In order to pursue … Continue reading →

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Premium Processing Resumed For All H-1B Petitions

Posted on October 3, 2017 by The Immigration Group

The USCIS has resumed premium processing service (“PPS”) today for all H-1B visa petitions. PPS guarantees a 15-calendar day processing time. If the guaranteed time frame is not met, the $1,225 government filing fee is refunded by the USCIS, which … Continue reading →

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Premium Processing Resumes for 2018 H-1B Cap Cases

Posted on September 20, 2017 by The Immigration Group

The USCIS has announced that it will accept premium processing requests for all H-1B Cap petitions submitted during the 2018 Fiscal Year Cap. This change applies to petitions that were filed in the H-1B Lottery in April 2017. This information … Continue reading →

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