Visa Lawyer Blog
From to time to time, we update our readers on the recent changes and updates coming from the local Immigration office. San Diego has 2 main locations, one in Chula Vista, and the other in Downtown San Diego. Once a month, the American Immigration Lawyers Association local chapter meet, with the government reps and receive updates on recent policy changes. Here are some of the questions discussed:
1. How long is a file held at the District Office after an adjustment or naturalization appointment? There have been reports of files sent to the National Records Center when a naturalization appointment was rescheduled by USCIS or when an applicanUattorney timely rescheduled an appointment If this occurs will the rescheduled appointment be delayed?
Approvals are promptly shipped to the National Records Center or Federal
Records Center. Denials are kept for about 30 days for opportunities to verify AR11
address databases and filing of MTRs and Waivers. If an interview applicant is a no show, the file is administratively closed and shipped out to the National Records Center within 1 week. A reschedule will not occur until the local office has the file.
2. Applicants are no longer receiving I-551 (Green Card) stamps at the successful conclusion of their adjustment of status interview. When did this policy change? Are these applicants allowed to keep their Employment Authorization Documents and Advance Parole Documents pending receipt of their Resident Alien Cards?
This Procedure changed recently. Applicants can retain all documents evidencing their current immigration status, Once the green card received documents such as Paroles and Work Authorization documents should be returned to USCIS. All approvals are subject to supervisory review. If approved, notification is sent out within 30 days. Applicants who receive a “green card” should make an effort to return their advance parole and/or EAD cards by mail to 880 Front Street, Room B268, San Diego, CA 92101 with a notation of the A number and that the applicant is now a permanent resident
3. Clients/Applicants report that they are receiving biometrics appointments from the National Benefits Center when they already have appointment notices. Is there a “glitch” in the system?
Local Immigration office is working with the National Benefits Office to address this glitch.
We will keep our readers updated with more information.