On September 25, 2023, USCIS announced that it is exempting the biometric services fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. If the Form I-539 application is postmarked October 1, 2023, or later, the applicants do not need to pay the...
Month: September 2023
USCIS Increasing Work Permits to 5 Years for Some Noncitizen
On September 27, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the maximum validity period of initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) were increased to 5 years for certain noncitizens including refugees and asylees,...
What H-2 visa holders need to know about proposed changes
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing a new regulation that would make the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for seasonal and other temporary workers more efficient and easier for workers as well as employers to navigate. It would also provide...
The differences between having a visa and being a U.S. citizen
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the United States remains a top destination for individuals seeking a better life, education and career opportunities. Many people from around the globe aspire to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave....
Who can bring their parents to live in the United States?
Many people pursue immigration opportunities because they want a better life for themselves and for the next generation of their families. Someone who secures a work visa, for example, can bring their unmarried minor children with them when they enter the United...
What is an extraordinary ability visa?
There is no question that everyone on Earth is extraordinary, simply because everyone is unique. Yet, in the context of U.S. immigration law, the word “extraordinary” assumes a very specific meaning. O-1 visas are granted to foreign nationals of so-called...
I-212 Waiver Explained: Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal
I-212 Waiver - What is it and why would you need one? Managing Partner, Margaret W. Wong talks about the application for permission to reapply for admission into the united states after deportation or removal.
Judge Rules DACA Program Unlawful Again, Biden Administration Vows to Continue Defense
On Wednesday, a federal judge once again delivered a verdict on the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, reiterating his belief that it is in violation of the law. Judge Andrew Hanen, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the...
Affirmative Asylum Applicants Must Provide Interpreters Starting Sep. 13
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that starting on Sep. 13, 2023, affirmative asylum applicants must bring an interpreter to their asylum interview if they are not fluent in English or wish to proceed with their interview in a...
Electronic Communication about Work Permit Sent to Certain Asylum Applicants
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the initiation of a nationwide campaign for noncitizens who are eligible to work but have not yet applied for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). DHS states that the purpose of the communication is to...