Legal Articles, Immigration
Consular Processing for US Immigrant Visas
One of the ways a person may become a permanent resident in the USA, is when he or she entered the USA with an immigrant visa that was issued to him or her at a US consulate overseas. The process of receiving such an immigrant visa is referred to as "consular processing." Consular processing is being supervised by the Department of State, and is subject to rules contained in the Foreign Affairs Manual published by the Department of State of "FAM".
VAWA Benefits for Abused Spouses, Children and Parents
VAWA or Violence Against Women Act allows certain qualifying non-citizens to obtain US permanent residency without the need of being petitioned by their US citizen or lawful permanent resident family member. The law covers abused spouses and children of US citizens and lawful permanent residents, and parents of US citizens who turned 21 years of age.
USCIS Offers Temporary Flexibility for Applicants and Petitioners Affected by Lockbox Delays
The USCIS is offering flexibility to certain applicants and petitioners impacted by delays at a USCIS lockbox.
Additional 22,000 H2B Visas Made Available for FY-2021 For Certain Employers In Need
The DHS and DOL made 22,000 FY-2021 H2B visas available to certain employers in need, with 6,000 reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
DHS Withdraws Efforts to Rescind the International Entrepreneur Parole Program
On May 10, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is rescinding a 2018 notice of proposed rulemaking to withdraw The International Entrepreneur parole program.
U.S. Mission in Russia No Longer Processing Non-Diplomatic Visas
Due to Russian Government-mandated staff reductions, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is no longer processing non-diplomatic visas or providing routine notarial services.
17 New Immigration Judges Take the Bench in April 2021
On May 6, 2021, the EOIR announced the swearing in of 17 new immigration judges, all of whom began their service in April 2021. The new immigration judges include several administrative immigration judges.
USCIS Withdraws Proposed Rule on Biometrics Expansion
On May 7, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the Department of Homeland Security withdrew a proposed rule that would have expanded the biometrics collection requirements.
EOIR Makes Interactive Policy Manual Available Online
The EOIR has made a new searchable interactive EOIR policy manual available to the public.
USCIS Completes H1B Initial Electronic Registration Process
On March 30, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it had received enough electronic registrations during the initial H1B registration period to reach the fiscal year 2022 H-1B cap for both regular H-1B petitions and masters cap petitions.