The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced some important updates for green card applicants, and those renewing existing employment authorization documents also known as EADs. I-485 New Green Card Application Form On December 10, 2024, USCIS published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident…
Visa Lawyer Blog
January 2025 Visa Bulletin: Major Movement for Family Sponsored Categories and Modest Movement for Employment-Based
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the January 2025 Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month. USCIS Adjustment of Status The U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS)…
In-Person Interviews Now Required For Certain VAWA Self-Petitioners
New changes are being implemented for certain self-petitioners filing immigration petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, also known as VAWA. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that beginning in December they will be conducting in-person interviews for select VAWA self-petitioners who have an I-360 and I-485…
What’s New in Immigration: USCIS Announces that Form I-693, Medical Examination Must be Submitted with Adjustment of Status Green Card Application
Wondering what’s new in immigration? We have some bad news for adjustment of status applicants filing a green card inside the United States. Effective immediately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now require adjustment of status applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status…
Happy Thanksgiving From The Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick!
It’s that time of year again, when we are called to count our blessings, and you are certainly one of them! Our customers are the reason we thrive. Thank you so much for choosing us time and time again. We wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving! Please be…
Los Angeles Passes “Sanctuary City” Ordinance Ahead of Trump Presidency
Los Angeles has become the first of many cities to use its legislative powers to protect undocumented immigrants from the threat of deportation. On November 19, 2024, the Los Angeles City Council passed a “sanctuary city” ordinance, prohibiting the use of the city’s resources and personnel to carry out federal…
How Employment-Based Visa Applicants Can Prepare for the Incoming Trump Administration
In this blog post, we discuss how Trump’s return to the White House on January 20th could impact employment-based visa applicants and their employers in the years ahead. While the Trump campaign has been very vocal about their zero-tolerance policy toward illegal immigration, much less has been said about employment-based…
Incoming Trump Administration Poised to Threaten H-1B Worker Visas
The fallout of the 2024 Presidential election has left high-skilled foreign workers asking what the Trump administration may have in store for them in the new year. Perhaps the most vulnerable to attack is the H-1B work visa program, which was previously targeted by the Trump administration. A second term…
December Visa Bulletin: Except for Final Action EB-2 and EB-3 India, Absolutely No Advancements
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the December Visa Bulletin. Unfortunately, the December Visa Bulletin brings almost no movement. USCIS Adjustment of Status For employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use…
Happy Veteran’s Day from the Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick!
As we observe Veteran’s Day, we pause to honor and express our deep gratitude to all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifices have shaped the freedoms we enjoy today. At the Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick, we recognize the importance of this…