We have received an outpouring of emails, comments, and messages from our loyal followers asking when Consular posts and Embassies worldwide will reopen. We understand the frustration that our readers feel and sympathize with the world situation. While USCIS has announced that in person appointments will resume on June 4th,…
Articles Posted in Coronavirus
USCIS Asks Federal Government for $1.2 Billion Bailout, Proposes Fee Increases by Summertime
The economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt by nearly all sectors of the economy, but perhaps the most unexpected victim has been the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Unlike many other government agencies, USCIS does not depend on government funding to survive. Instead, the agency…
House Passes HEROES Act: What Is It and Will it Survive the Senate?
The House of Representatives has introduced a new bill called the HEROES Act, (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act), that provides short term financial relief during this health crisis. In this post, we discuss who would be covered under the HEROES Act and what type of relief would…
Republicans Urge President Trump to Restrict Immigration Further for New Petitions for H-1B Workers, H-2B Workers, OPT Students, and EB-5 Investors
On May 7th just days after the President signed his controversial April 22nd executive order limiting the immigration of certain aliens to the United States for 60 days, Republican senators rallied together to urge the President to pass more immigration restrictions—this time targeting nonimmigrant foreign workers. Republican Senators Tom Cotton…
UPDATES: USCIS Extends Flexibility Policy for RFEs, NOIDs, I-290bs, and more
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this post we will discuss a few recent updates released by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). UPDATE: USCIS Extends Flexibility Policy for RFEs, NOIDs, I-290bs, and more Due to the ongoing circumstances relating to COVID-19, USCIS will continue to provide flexibility in…
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act Proposes Relief for Nurses and Physicians applying for Green Cards
We are pleased to report the introduction of a brand-new Senate bill called the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, sponsored by Senators David Perdue, Todd Young, Dick Durbin, and Chris Coons. The purpose of the bill is to increase the number of health care workers available to meet the demand of…
UPDATE: Paycheck Protection Program 2.0: A Guide for Small Business Owners
President Signs New Bill Authorizing Additional Funding for PPP Last week President Trump signed a new bill into law that provides an additional $310 billion in aid to small business owners that will be funneled into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL) administered…
Lawsuit Filed in Federal Court Challenging the Executive Order’s Application to Beneficiaries in Danger of “Aging out”
It’s been just a few days since President Trump signed his long awaited executive order entitled, “Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak,” and already it is being challenged in federal court. On April 25,…
UPDATE: USCIS Offices Prepare to Reopen on June 4, 2020
Great news. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the agency is preparing to reopen in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASC) to the public on or after June 4. As we have previously reported on our blog, USCIS first…
May 2020 Visa Bulletin: What to Expect?
The Department of State has released the visa bulletin for May 2020 outlining the availability of immigrant visa numbers for the upcoming month. Please note: Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo, individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in…