In response to the growing rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Brazil, on May 24, 2020, the President signed the “Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Novel Coronavirus.” This marks the fifth presidential proclamation to limit the…
Articles Posted in COVID 19
USCIS San Diego Field Office: What is happening with Interviews and Oath Ceremonies?
In this post we will share with our readers what we know is happening locally with the scheduling of interviews at the San Diego Field Office and oath ceremonies. Please keep in mind that we do not have information about other Field Offices at this time. Oath Ceremonies The San…
Premium Processing is Coming Back Starting June 1!
Great news for our loyal followers! The time has come – today the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that premium processing services will resume. Beginning June 1, 2020, premium processing services for all Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers will be resumed. What about other types of petitions?…
USCIS Prepares to Reopen Some Offices on June 4
We have very exciting news for our readers. Yesterday, May 27th the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it is preparing to reopen some domestic offices and resume services to the public on or after June 4th. As you know, on March 18th USCIS made the difficult…
What is happening with US Consulates and Embassies? When will they Reopen?
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,…
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…