Headlines: 1. USCIS Raises Many Fees, Adds New Fees – Among other things, USCIS is raising fees for most immigration benefits by a weighted average of 10 percent, establishing several new fees, and raising the premium processing service fee. 2. 2012 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration Begins in October – The Department of State strongly […]
Headlines: 1. Dep‘t of State Updates Guidance on Medical Grounds of Inadmissibility – Following an update by the CDC to its technical instructions, the State Department has updated guidance on medical grounds of inadmissibility and issued a corresponding cable to the field. 2. USCIS Discusses Effects of Invalid Puerto Rico Birth Certificates on I-9 Process […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Implements H-1B, L-1 Fee Increases – Effective immediately, the provisions require an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after August 14, 2010. 2. CBP Clarifies TN Extensions of Stay While Immigrant Petition Is Pending/Approved – U.S. Customs and Border […]
Headlines: 1. President Signs Border Bill That Increases Fees for Certain Companies Using Many H-1B, L Workers – The Senate passed a border enforcement funding bill that would offset costs by raising fees for certain H-1B and L petitions. 2. Dep’t of State Finalizes Rule on Electronic Application Alternative for Immigrant Visas – The agency […]
Headlines: 1. ICE I-9 Final Rule Allows for Electronic Signatures, Scanning, Storage – Employers and recruiters or referrers for a fee who are required to complete and retain the Employment Eligibility Verification Form may now sign the form electronically and retain it in an electronic format. 2. USCIS Clarifies ‘O’ Validity Period When Gap Exists […]
Headlines: 1. U.S. Files Lawsuit Against Arizona Immigration Law – The Department of Justice has filed a complaint and requested a preliminary injunction to enjoin enforcement of the law, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and will cause irreparable harm. 2. U.S. Expands Appointment Scheduling for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in China – Nonimmigrant visa applicants […]
Headlines: 1. Department of State Publishes Consular Fee Interim Rule, Reopens Comment Period – The Department received 1,797 comments in response to the proposed rule and has reopened the comment period for an additional 60 days, until August 27, 2010. 2. USCIS Issues Guidance to Employers on Documentation of Work Authorization for TPS Beneficiaries – […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Proposes Changes in Fees, Large New Fee for EB-5 Regional Center Applications – A new proposed fee rule would increase the average application and petition fees by a “weighted average” of approximately 10 percent, and would establish a hefty new fee of $6,230 for an application for regional center designation under the […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Revises Employment Authorization Document – The EAD now includes a machine-readable zone on the back of the card. 2. State Dept. Raises Consular Fees for Nonimmigrant Visas and BCCs – The interim final rule, effective June 4, 2010, also reopens the comment period on the raised fees for an additional 60 days. […]
Headlines: 1. Can Immigration Law Be REPAIRed? Some Senators Think So – Under the Democrats’ REPAIR (Real Enforcement with Practical Answers for Immigration Reform) proposal, a green card would be available immediately to foreign students with an advanced degree from a U.S. institution in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with an offer […]