Posted by Karol Brown | Apr 15, 2024 |
The permanent bar prevents foreign nationals returning to the United States if they have more than one year of unlawful presence or a deportation order from the United States, and who attempt to or successfully reenter the United States illegally. The permanent bar may be overcome if the person remains outside the United States for more than 10 years, and then is approved for a Form I212 Waiver of Inadmissibility.
Posted by Karol Brown | Apr 08, 2024 |
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") will increase the automatic extension period for Employment Authorization Documents ("EAD") from 180 days to 540 days when filing a renewal. The Form I765 must be timely filed before the expiration date of the current EAD and be in the same authorization category as the previous card.
Posted by Karol Brown | Apr 04, 2024 |
USCIS allows I693 medical examinations to be valid indefinitely.
Posted by Karol Brown | Mar 26, 2024 |
The USCIS has provided information about requesting expedited processing of immigration cases.
Posted by Karol Brown | Mar 22, 2024 |
The USCIS has extended the H1B registration period to March 25, 2024
Posted by Karol Brown | Feb 28, 2024 |
American employers can now create or update their company "organizational accounts" with USCIS for the new online H1B cap registration system. H1B cap registration runs from March 6 to March 22, 2024 at 9 am Pacific time. Employers must have an account in order to register beneficiaries for this year's H1B cap lottery. H1B beneficiaries must have a valid passport at the time their registration for H1B cap lottery is submitted.
Posted by Karol Brown | Feb 26, 2024 |
The Department of Homeland Security announced a significant increase in USCIS filing fees that will start on April 1, 2024. The new rule also changes the timeline for premium processing cases, alters availability for fee waivers, and makes other changes in processing for immigration cases. We recommend that people file their immigration case before April 1, 2024 to save money.
Posted by Karol Brown | Feb 09, 2024 |
The National Immigration Forum provides a detailed summary of the newly proposed bipartisan Border Security and Asylum Reform legislation. This bill would provide new enforcement measures and funding for the border crisis. However, this bill is likely Dead on Arrival in the House of Representatives, because former President and current candidate Donald Trump would rather have chaos at the border then solutions to real problems.
Posted by Karol Brown | Feb 07, 2024 |
The USCIS has announced a new process for the H1B Cap Lottery process for 2024. Employers must update their online registration starting February 28. The H1B cap registration period will open on March 6, 2024 and close on March 22, 2024. The selections will be announced on March 31st and petitions can be filed between April 1st and June 30th. For questions, contact World One Law Group at [email protected].
Posted by Karol Brown | Feb 06, 2024 |
Lawful permanent residents are required to physically reside in the United States. If you are a permanent resident who needs to remain outside the US for more than six months, you should apply for a reentry permit to preserve your permanent resident status. Check out our blog post for more information!
Posted by Karol Brown | Jan 31, 2024 |
In the pursuit of justice and protection for victims of crime, the U visa stands as a beacon of hope. This non-immigrant visa is designed to provide temporary legal status and work eligibility to individuals who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of certain criminal ac...
Posted by Karol Brown | Jan 29, 2024 |
Bringing your family to the United States is a dream for many, and understanding the basics of family immigration petitions is crucial for turning this dream into reality. In this guide, we'll address common questions about family immigration, providing you with essential information on the process, timelines, and the possibility of bringing your entire family to the USA.
Posted by Karol Brown | Jan 26, 2024 |
Key Changes Proposed for the H1B Cap Lottery System
The Office of Management and Budget cleared a final regulation from the Department of Homeland to revise some aspects of the H-1B program
Details of this final rule will be available once published in the Federal Register.
There will likely be a switch in the H1B Cap Registration System to allow each beneficiary to have the same chance in the lottery ("beneficiary-centric")
Other anti-fraud proposals will likely be included in the final rule.
These rules will likely take effect in time for the start of the Fiscal Year 2025 cap season (which opens in March 2024 for an October 1, 2024 start date).
Posted by Karol Brown | Jan 24, 2024 |
Today’s blog post deals with the difficult subject of the death of a petitioner for permanent residency. We know that navigating the complex world of immigration law can be a daunting task, especially when you are dealing with the emotional strain of losing a loved one. Today, we will answer a question that was posed by a prospective client during a consultation, "Does my approved I-130 petition die when the petitioner dies?"
Posted by Karol Brown | Jan 23, 2024 |
Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. Elections play a crucial role in shaping our communities and the nation as a whole. While the United States is known for its rich tapestry of immigrants, the requirement for voting in most cases is clear: you must be a U.S. citizen. Understanding and respecting this fundamental requirement is vital to preserving the integrity of the electoral process and maintaining the principles upon which the nation was founded.
Posted by Karol Brown | Dec 05, 2023 |
In recent developments, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has introduced a set of proposed changes to the H-1B program. These changes aim to create a new era of efficiency and flexibility while enhancing program integrity. These proposed regulations are currently open to public feedback and will undergo further scrutiny before becoming official.
Posted by Karol Brown | Nov 30, 2023 |
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its policies regarding the validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for specific groups of noncitizens. These changes try to make the immigration process more efficient and reduce the administrative burden on applicants. As immigration attorneys, we want to inform you about these important changes to work authorization policies.
Posted by Karol Brown | Nov 16, 2023 |
The United States has long been a destination for professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking opportunities to work and contribute to its diverse and vibrant economy. Whether you're a treaty trader, an extraordinary artist, or a specialized knowledge employee, the U.S. offers various work visas designed to accommodate different qualifications, skills, and goals. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the most common work visas available and the qualifications, application processes, job duties, length of stay, and extension options associated with each.
Posted by Karol Brown | Nov 08, 2023 |
Obtaining permanent resident status in the United States is a significant achievement, marking a step closer to achieving your American dream. However, it's important to understand that, for certain immigrants, this status initially comes with conditions. In this guide, we will discuss what conditional permanent residency is, what not to do, and how to navigate the process effectively.
Posted by Karol Brown | Oct 26, 2023 |
Selecting the right immigration attorney is an important decision for anyone facing immigration challenges. Your choice can significantly impact your case's outcome, so it is essential to make it wisely. This article lists several key factors to consider when making this important decision. You can also view our video about this critical process via our social platforms.
Posted by Karol Brown | Oct 11, 2023 |
Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be a complex and challenging process. One common hurdle that people may encounter on your journey to obtaining a work visa, green card, or US citizenship is receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While receiving an RFE can be scary and frustrating, it is essential to respond to it correctly and promptly. This article guides you through the process of responding to an RFE to maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Posted by Karol Brown | Oct 04, 2023 |
The H1B visa program is a critical pathway for highly skilled foreign workers to live and work in the United States temporarily. Since October 1st is the first date in H1B status for many applicants, we thought we’d write about how to maintain valid H1B visa status.
This article outlines your key responsibilities to ensure that your H1B visa remains valid throughout your stay in the United States.
Posted by Karol Brown | Oct 04, 2023 |
Are you dreaming of a new life living and working in the United States? The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery, provides a unique opportunity for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to obtain a green card and pursue their American dream. The DV Lottery for 2024 is just around the corner! This article guides you through the lottery application process, eligibility requirements, and key dates for this exciting opportunity.
Posted by Karol Brown | Sep 26, 2023 |
As the clock ticks down to midnight on October 1, the United States government faces the possibility of a shutdown if Congress fails to reach an agreement on several appropriations bills or a short-term spending measure. The shutdown would impact all government agencies to varying degrees, including immigration services. This article summarizes how a government shutdown could affect immigration functions and what steps you can take to navigate these uncertain times.
Posted by Karol Brown | Sep 26, 2023 |
On September 13, 2023, federal judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is illegal. This latest decision is the latest in a long and complex legal battle that has lasted over a decade. This article provides some details about Judge Hanen's ruling and what it means for DACA recipients. We also talk about ways that DACA recipients can urge Congress to change the laws that provide security and work authorization to so many people.