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…
Articles Posted in Employment based visa
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…
This Week in Immigration News: K-1 Fiancé Visa Ban Confusion, Update on USCIS Office Closures, USCIS Statement on June 22nd Presidential Proclamation, USCIS Statement on its Financial Position, Texas Service Center Moves to New Address
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this post, we bring you the latest immigration news for the week. K-1 Fiancé Visa Blunders The news of the June 22nd presidential proclamation has caused great confusion among U.S. Consulates and Embassies worldwide regarding whether K-1 fiancé visas are subject to the current presidential…
Looming Executive Order Affecting L-1, H-1B, H-2B, and J-1 Nonimmigrants? What’s being said?
New rumors are yet again circling regarding the possibility of a future executive order banning the entry of certain non-immigrants from the United States. An official speaking on condition of anonymity has fueled these rumors divulging information that the Trump administration is getting ready to issue a new executive order…
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?…
Senate Republicans Introduce Bombshell Bill Targeting the H-1B and L-1 Visa Program
A brand-new bill called the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2020 (S. 3770) sponsored by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has recently surfaced. As you might have already guessed, the bill seeks to make changes to the current H-1B and L visa programs to reduce fraud and abuse within…
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…