In response to U.S. Senator Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) unveiling the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, issued the following statement. The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants, most of whom have been long-standing, […]
A new United States citizen receives a warm handshake and congratulations during a special naturalization ceremony on Flag Day at the historic Betsy Ross House. – Philadelphia, PA / USA – June 14, 2019 (Shutterstock) WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test […]
President Biden recently sent a new immigration bill to Congress. What does that mean for you if you’re a non-citizen in the United States? Right now, the truthful answer is likely nothing — at least not yet. Ask the Lawyer breakdowns the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and shares the FTC warning about scammers. Get […]
American Immigration Lawyers Association Building in Washington DC – Washington DC / USA – November 26th, 2019 (Shutterstock) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed the introduction of the Dream Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill authored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The Dream Act of 2021 would […]
On Jan. 7, USCIS announced the H-1B Selection final rule, which amended the regulations governing the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. To give USCIS more time to develop, test, and implement the modifications to the H-1B registration system and selection process, DHS is delaying the effective date of […]
Starting in January, we will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action. LPRs file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when their Green Cards expire […]
USCIS announced today that it will automatically extend parole, and employment authorization, if applicable, for parolees who timely applied for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term resident status. This specific extension of parole applies only to current parolees who timely filed Form I-955, Application for CNMI Long-Term Resident Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and whose applications […]
Members of Haitian women for Haitian refugees organization rally for restoration of TPS and permanent status for refugees from Haiti on Ocean Avenue. – New York, NY – November 8, 2020 (Shutterstock) By Jennifer Ibanez Whitlock, Immigration Impact The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an important announcement on December 9 about the Temporary Protective […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance for adjudicating EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitions for registered nurses, physical therapists, and aliens of exceptional ability. The update does not change any policy, but does clarify how USCIS adjudicators should apply Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations when deciding these […]
By Walter Ewing, Immigration Impact The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule that would make it much more difficult for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants—especially those experiencing financial hardship—to sponsor family members for green cards. If the rule goes into effect, the process of family-based immigration will become even more cumbersome and restrictive. […]