News

Based on a new information-sharing partnership between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), foreign nationals in certain categories or classifications can now apply for work authorization and a social security number using a single form – the updated Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

The Trump Administration issues new restrictions on travel to the United States. The rules now affect 8 countries.

The highlights of the new proclamation:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year year (FY) 2018 cap. The FY 2018 cap has been set at 65,000 visas. Premium processing has also resumed for the annual 20,000 additional petitions that are set aside to hire workers with a U.S. master’s degree or higher educational degree.

WASHINGTON—Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has determined that conditions in Sudan no longer support its designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after reviewing country conditions, and after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials’ consultations with the appropriate U.S. government agencies. Acting Secretary Duke is extending benefits for beneficiaries of Sudan TPS for 12 months to allow for an orderly transition before the designation terminates on Nov. 2, 2018.

With Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under attack, many immigration lawyers are looking for alternative options for their clients with TPS. The American Immigration Council has issued a practice advisory discussing important decisions from the Ninth and Sixth Circuits—decisions that will open the door for certain TPS recipients who initially entered without inspection to adjust status. The decisions held that a TPS grant is an “admission” for purposes of adjustment of status under section 245(a).

This practice advisory addresses:

USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Irma.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive strategy to further improve the detection and prevention of fraud and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system.

On January 16, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the regulation benefiting a grant of parole for Foreign Entrepreneurs to live and work in the United States (US).

This regulation is meant for two specific reasons:

1.    To improve the ability, of certain promising start-up founders, to begin growing their companies within the US; and

2.     To improve the U.S.’ economy by increasing capital spending, innovation and job creation.

​USCIS reminds all EB-5 regional centers with a designation letter dated on or before Sept. 30, 2016, that they must file Form I-924A, Supplement to Form I-924, for fiscal year 2016 no later than Dec. 29, 2016.

It is important to remember that Form I-924A’s Filing Fee, effective Dec. 23, 2016, has increased to $3,035. Therefore, filings post marked or filed on or after Dec. 23, 2016, must include this new fee or USCIS will reject the submission.