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UPDATE: USCIS Increases Filing Fees for Certain Petitions to Stay Afloat

During the past year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been facing a financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As early as May of this year, a USCIS spokesperson informed the United States government that it needed a cash bailout of $1.2 billion by summertime in…

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COVID-19 Updates: DOS Announces Extension for Immigrant Visa Medical Exams, When Will Consulates Resume Visa Services, SEVP Guidance for International Students, and National Interest Exceptions for Presidential Proclamations Restricting Travel

In this blog post we share with our readers several new developments in immigration relating to COVID-19. At a Glance: What’s in This Blog? DOS Announces One-Month Extension for Immigrant Visa Medical Examinations Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services DOS Releases SEVP Online Course Guidance for F and M Students…

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August 2020 Visa Bulletin: What to Expect?

Great news! The Department of State has released the visa bulletin for August 2020 outlining the availability of immigrant visa numbers for the upcoming month. NOTE: Adjustment of Status Filing Charts August 2020 For Family-Sponsored Filings: In the F2A category, there is a cutoff date on the Dates for Filing chart.  However, the category…

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UPDATE: Trump Administration Rescinds Policy Requiring International Students to Attend In-Person Classes

We are very happy to announce that yesterday July 14, 2020, the Trump administration backed down and agreed to cancel a new set of federal guidelines that would have required international students to attend classes in-person during the upcoming Fall 2020 semester. As you may be aware, on Monday July…

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Harvard-MIT Student Lawsuit UPDATE – A Federal Judge Could Block New Guidelines by Wednesday

We continue to have good news for international students. As you already know, on July 8th Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit to stop the government from enforcing new guidelines on international students that would prohibit them from taking online classes during the Fall semester,…

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Harvard and MIT Lead the Fight for International Students: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New Guidelines Prohibiting Online Instruction

We have news that may be some relief to international students across the United States. Today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit in District Court in Boston against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),…

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BREAKING NEWS: SEVP Changes F-1 and M-1 Rules – Online Instruction for the Upcoming Fall 2020 Semester is Prohibited

Today, Monday, July 6, 2020, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a news release introducing new modifications taken by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that will apply to all international students in F-1 and M-1 status taking courses during this upcoming Fall 2020 semester. The…

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Quick Immigration Updates: USCIS Prioritizes Citizenship Oath Ceremony Scheduling, Orgs Call USCIS to Extend TPS for Yemen and Somalia, and New Labor Certification FLAG System

Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this post we bring you the latest immigration updates. Naturalization Ceremonies Great news for naturalization applicants waiting for an oath ceremony. On July 1, 2020, USCIS issued an announcement notifying the public that it anticipates that it will complete nearly all postponed administrative naturalization ceremonies…

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USCIS Extends Flexibility for RFE, NOID, NOIR, I-290B, N-336 Responses Filed After the Deadline

We have great news for applicants who are issued a request for evidence, notice of intent to deny, or a related document, between March 1st and September 11th. On July 1, 2020, USCIS announced that it will extend its flexibility policy and will continue to grant applicants an additional 60…

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USCIS San Diego Field Office Prepares to Reopen for Interviews, ASC Appointments

Interviews at the San Diego Field Office We have great news for our local readers. The USCIS San Diego Field Office is scheduled to resume interviews on July 6, 2020, with priority given to adjustment of status applications filed by doctors and front-line workers fighting to mitigate the effects of…

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