Visa Lawyer Blog

Articles Posted in DHS

by

heart-2880992_1280We are excited to report that Qatar will soon be joining the Visa Waiver Program, which permits citizens of 41 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.   

Qatar’s designation was announced on September 24th by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.

Qatar will become the 42nd member of the Visa Waiver Program and the first of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to become part of the program.

When can Qatari nationals travel to the United States using the Visa Waiver Program?

Qatari nationals can start applying for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application or on the “ESTA Mobile” app no later than December 1, 2024.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa Waiver Program travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.

ESTA travel authorizations are generally valid for two years upon issuance and permit travelers to remain in the United States for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

Qatari citizens with valid B1/B2 visas may continue to use them for business and tourist travel to the United States.

Can U.S. Citizens also travel to Qatar without a visa?

Yes. The move will also benefit U.S. Citizens, considering that Qatar will update its travel policies starting October 1, 2024, to allow all U.S. citizens to request entry into Qatar for up to 90 days instead of the previous 30-day limit. U.S. travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least three months from arrival and a confirmed hotel booking on arrival.

In his announcement, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas remarked, “The Visa Waiver Program is one of our most successful security initiatives. Qatar’s participation in the program increases information sharing regarding one of the world’s busiest travel and transfer hubs, strengthening the security of the United States. I commend our Qatari partners for meeting the stringent requirements in this agreement entails and look forward to our continued work together on behalf of our respective countries.”

Continue reading

by

butler-159811_1280
On September 19th the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough petitions to reach the mandatory numerical cap on new H-2B visas for nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025.

As a result, USCIS will reject any new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after September 18th that request an employment start date before April 1, 2025.

USCIS will continue to accept H-2B petitions that are exempt from the congressionally mandated cap, including:

Continue reading

by

letter-8052497_1280

We are excited to share new updates for green card holders who are renewing their Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards).

Starting September 10, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically be extending the validity of green cards to 36-months for all those who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expired or expiring green card with USCIS. This means that receipt notices issued to green card renewal applicants will now automatically include the 36-month extension.

Previously, USCIS provided a 24-month extension of the validity of a green card on Form I-90 receipt notices. Now the language on Form I-90 receipt notices will extend the validity of a green card for 36 months from the expiration date on the face of the current green card.

USCIS began printing amended receipt notices for individuals with a pending Form I-90 on September 10th.

As evidence of your lawful permanent resident status and your employment authorization, you must present your I-90 receipt notice along with your expired green card.

Why did USCIS issue this extension?

The new 36-month extension is meant to provide relief to applicants who are experiencing longer than normal processing times, so that their employment and travel plans remain uninterrupted while applications remain pending with USCIS.

Continue reading

by

ai-generated-8489042_1280New details have emerged relating to a pending lawsuit before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas known as  Texas et. al. vs. DHS et. al., Case No. 6:24-cv-00306 (E.D. Tex.), which is currently blocking the approval of applications filed under the Biden administration’s parole in place program.

Litigation Updates

On August 26th eleven individual intervening parties who stood to benefit from the parole in place program filed a motion to intervene in the Texas lawsuit.

Thereafter, on September 3rd the Texas district court judge denied the motion to intervene. As a result, the intervening parties filed an appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit claiming the lower court’s denial of the motion to intervene was unjustified.

On September 11th  the Fifth Circuit Court ordered the lower court to freeze all proceedings until they have had the opportunity to hear the intervenors appeal.

A hearing date of October 10th has been set and the court has said that no further action can be taken in the lower court until that date.

The appellate court’s order states as follows, “Meaning no criticism of the district court’s recognition of the need for prompt resolution, this panel must have an opportunity to consider the merits briefs, scheduled to be received by September 16, and to hear argument on the appeal of the denial of intervention. Accordingly, we administratively STAY proceedings in the district court pending a decision on the merits or other order of this court. The stay issued by the district court will remain in effect pending further order of this court.”

What does this mean for parole in place applications?

In the meantime, USCIS can continue accepting and processing parole in place applications under the Keeping Families Together program, but it cannot approve cases until further notice.

Continue reading

by

learn-6874566_1280Today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October 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

For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.

For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.

Highlights of the October 2024 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of October?

Employment-Based Categories

  • The Final Action date for China EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers will retrogress by five months, to April 1, 2020. The Date for Filing will retrogress by almost 8 months, to November 15, 2020.
  • The Final Action date for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers Worldwide will advance by almost two years, to November 15, 2022. The Date for Filing will advance by one month, to March 1, 2023.
  • The Final Action date for China EB-5 Unreserved will advance by seven months, to July 15, 2016. The Date for Filing will retrogress by three months, to October 1, 2016.
  • The India EB-5 Unreserved Final Action date will advance by more than one year, to January 1, 2022. The Date for Filing will remain at April 1, 2022.

Family-Sponsored Categories

Final Action

  • F1 Mexico will advance by 7.8 months to January 1, 2003
  • F2A Mexico will advance by 1.1 months to March 8, 2021
  • F2A All other countries will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2021
  • F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to January 15, 2005
  • F3 Mexico will advance by 5.7 months to August 22, 2000
  • F4 Mexico will advance by 2 weeks to February 22, 2001
  • F4 India will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2006

Dates for Filing

  • F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to October 1, 2005
  • F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to August 1, 2005
  • F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to May 8, 2004
  • F3 All other countries will advance by 5.9 months to July 1, 2011
  • F4 Philippines will advance by 4 months to August 1, 2006

Now let’s dive into our analysis of the October 2024 Visa bulletin. 

Continue reading

by

portugal-1355102_1280As of April 23, 2024, Portugal has joined the coveted list of countries eligible to participate in the E-2 Treaty Investor program via the passage of the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act.

E-2 nonimmigrant visas are reserved for investors who are nationals of a treaty country. To qualify, an investment must be made into a U.S. company, the investor must hold at least 50% of the ownership interests, and the company must meet the E-2 visa requirements.

The E-2 visa is a very popular visa because there is no limit to the number of times the visa can be renewed, and it allows the company to sponsor other nationals of the treaty country as employees.

The addition of Portugal to the E-2 visa program presents a unique opportunity for Portuguese entrepreneurs to establish and grow their own businesses in the United States, while giving spousal dependents the opportunity to work for any employer in the United States.

It also presents an exciting opportunity for Brazilians who hold dual nationality with Portugal to participate in the program, as well as those who can obtain Portuguese citizenship through ancestry, legal residence, or by other lawful means.

Key Benefits of the E-2 visa program for Portuguese nationals

  • By law, the E-2 visa does not require any minimum investment amount and instead focuses on whether the investment is proportional based on the nature of the business. In most cases, entrepreneurs invest anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in their businesses.
  • E-2 treaty investor visas for Portuguese nationals are valid for five years and can be renewed indefinitely so long as the E-2 eligibility criteria are met.
  • Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 can apply for E-2 dependent visas to accompany the E-2 principal investor in the United States. Spouses are eligible for work authorization and can work for any employer in the United States.
  • Processing times for an E-2 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon can vary, but applicants can generally expect to be called for an interview approximately three months after submitting their application.  Upon approval, visas are typically issued within three to five business days.
  • Brazilians who hold dual nationality with Portugal can apply for the E-2 visa at the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo, the designated adjudicating post in Brazil for E-2 Treaty Country nationals.

Continue reading

by

judgment-8442199_1280We have new developments to report relating to pending litigation for parole in place applications in the case Texas et. al. vs. DHS et. al., Case No. 6:24-cv-00306 (E.D. Tex.).

Yesterday evening, federal Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District Court of Texas issued a court order extending his previous administrative stay on parole in place (PIP) approvals for an additional 14-day period expiring on September 23, 2024.

The judge’s initial stay (of August 26th), which was set to expire on September 9, 2024, will now continue through September 23rd.

What does this mean for parole in place applications?

While the administrative stay is in place, those eligible for parole in place under the Keeping Families Together program can continue to submit the online Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

USCIS will also continue to issue biometrics appointment notices to capture applicant biometrics during the administrative stay.

However, USCIS is prohibited from approving applications received for as long as the administrative stay is in place (currently until September 23rd)

This is because the Texas lawsuit challenges the legality of the Keeping Families Together program and approvals must be paused while the parties in the case make their arguments before the court, and a final ruling is made.

What’s next in the Texas lawsuit?

The court has ordered an accelerated hearing where motions for preliminary and permanent relief will be heard on September 18th.  The accelerated proceedings in this case mean that the judge could make a decision on the merits of the case in the coming months. However, despite the outcome in this case appeals are likely to be filed in district court.

Can the judge extend the administrative stay past September 23rd?

Yes. The judge may decide to extend the administrative stay past September 23rd in the future if it finds that good cause exists to do so throughout the litigation process.

Continue reading

by

hands-7107606_1280-2

Parole in Place – Keeping Families Together Updates

As previously reported, a federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden administration from approving parole requests under the Keeping Families Together program.

What does this mean for parole in place applications?

Due to a 14-day administrative stay handed down by District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 26, 2024, in the case, Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve parole in place applications filed under the Keeping Families Together program.

The order may be extended by the judge at the conclusion of the 14-day period.

USCIS has stated on its webpage that during the district court’s administrative stay, USCIS will:

USCIS also reminds the public that the administrative stay does not affect any parole in place applications that were approved before the court’s administrative stay order was issued at 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time on August. 26, 2024.

Those who are eligible must consult with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to determine whether to proceed with applying for parole in place while applications are still being accepted by USCIS.

For more information about this lawsuit, please click here.

EB-1 Visa Updates

Recently, the State Department confirmed that all numbers in the EB-1 preference category have been utilized for fiscal year 2024 and that no further EB-1 visas/green cards will be issued for the remainder of this fiscal year which ends on September 30, 2024.

It is also foreseeable that the EB-2 and EB-4 categories will become unavailable in the near future.

Continue reading

by

IMPORTANT ALERT: On August 26, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, Case Number 24-cv-306 administratively stayed DHS from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together for 14 days; the District Court might extend the period of this administrative stay.

While the administrative stay is in place, USCIS will:

  • Not grant any pending parole in place requests under Keeping Families Together.
  • Continue to accept filings of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.

The District Court’s administrative stay order does not impact parole applications that were approved before the administrative stay order was issued by the court.

WARNING:

The court expects that good cause may exist to extend the administrative stay for additional periods through mid-October. The court is also scheduled to decide whether the plaintiff’s Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and Summary Judgment will be issued during the month of October.

Immediate Call to Action

If you are eligible for parole in place under the Keeping Families Together program, you must take immediate action and submit the online application Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, as soon as possible before time runs out. A court order may soon prohibit USCIS from accepting applications for parole in place. For assistance with your application, contact us at 619-819-9204 or text 619-569-1768 for a consultation. 

gavel-7233485_1280We bring you this breaking news to announce that on Friday, August 23, 2024, Texas along with 15 other Republican-led states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, seeking to invalidate the parole in place program established by President Biden’s June executive order.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications for parole in place on Monday August 19th to keep families of U.S. Citizens together. This program allows certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. Citizens who entered the country without inspection, to legalize their status without departing the United States.

Those eligible can apply for parole in place using the new online Form I-131F, and if approved, are given three years to apply for temporary work authorization and permanent residency. The administration estimates about 500,000 people could be eligible, plus about 50,000 of their children.

The program is meant to eliminate the need for such individuals to go through the cumbersome extreme hardship “waiver” process, which requires undocumented spouses of U.S. Citizens to receive an approved waiver from USCIS, before applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.

Unfortunately, the Republican-led coalition is seeking to put an end to the program claiming that the Biden administration has abused their power in creating it. These states argue that only Congress has the authority to enact legislation that would authorize a program like parole in place.

Court filings also accuse the Biden administration of unlawfully creating a pathway to permanent residency for these individuals solely for political purposes, due to the fast-approaching presidential election.

Continue reading

by

beach-4455433_1280In this blog post, we discuss what undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. Citizens can expect after applying for Parole in Place using the new USCIS online application called Form I-131F.

What to Expect After Filing Form I-131F Parole in Place

Once you have properly submitted the Form I-131F using your myUSCIS online account, you will receive a I-797 receipt notice from USCIS by mail as proof that your application was submitted. This receipt notice will contain your receipt number which you can use to track your case on the USCIS case tracker.

Please note that the receipt notice can also be accessed on your myUSCIS portal

The Biometrics Appointment

Several weeks after filing Form I-131F, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice, which will indicate the date, time, and location where you must appear for USCIS to collect your fingerprints, photographs, and a signature.

Your biometrics information will be used to run a background check for criminal history, verify your identity and, and to prepare certain immigration documents (for example, an Employment Authorization Document also known as a work permit).

If USCIS has collected your biometrics information in the past, it is possible that they will reuse such information. If that is the case, USCIS will notify you via your myUSCIS online account and send you a notice by mail.

Receiving a Decision

Those who meet the eligibility criteria for parole in place under the Keeping Families Together program, will receive a discretionary grant of parole for a 3-year period.

As part of the decision-making process, USCIS will take into consideration various factors to determine whether a favorable exercise of discretion is warranted in your case such as:

  • Your criminal history
  • The existence of removal proceedings
  • Unexecuted final removal orders
  • The results of background checks, including national security and public safety vetting Positive and adverse factors presented
  • Any other relevant information available to or requested by USCIS.

Those who have any disqualifying criminal history or are found to be a threat to national security, public safety, or border security, may be denied for parole in place.

Factors such as pending criminal charges will make you ineligible for parole in place while the charge remains pending. Certain criminal convictions can also make you ineligible for parole in place under this process.  Please discuss any criminal records with an experienced immigration attorney before filing Form I-131F.

Continue reading