Applying for a US visa? Here’s everything you want to know

Getting a visa is always tiresome and worrisome. Most of us get irritated with the tedious procedure of getting a US Visa but here you’ll find out how to make things easier and everything about the process. Getting a US visa is simple for Indians, and the process is absolutely hassle-free. Having mentioned that, remember one thing that visa requirements for the US are a little different from other countries.

Here, we have all the details you would need about the formalities of application for the US, documentation, visa interview and more. So, the most important thing about getting a US visa are the timelines. The visa application process for the US takes a maximum of 60 days (might get extended in individual circumstances). Thus, it is advisable to apply much in advance from the intended date of travel for a US visa. You can track the status of your visa application online. Read more at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/applying-for-a-us-visa-heres-everything-you-want-to-know/as46622581.cms

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.greencardadvice.com.

USCIS Issues Guidance on Adjustment of Status by Aliens Whose Conditional Permanent Residence Has Been Terminated

USCIS today issued policy guidance (PDF, 382 KB) explaining how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifying when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status has been terminated. An immigration judge does not need to affirm the termination of CPR status before the alien can file a new adjustment of status application.

An alien with CPR status obtains lawful permanent resident status either based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (if the marriage is less than two years at the time the alien adjusts status or is admitted for lawful permanent resident status) or based on an immigrant investor (EB-5) visa.

An alien with CPR status is generally ineligible to adjust their status on a new basis under the provisions of section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. However, USCIS may adjust an alien’s status if their CPR status has been terminated and:

• The alien has a new basis for adjustment of status;
• The alien is otherwise eligible to adjust status; and
• USCIS has jurisdiction over the adjustment of status application. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-adjustment-status-aliens-whose-conditional-permanent-residence-has-been-terminated

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.greencardadvice.com.

ICE arrests 19 in Massachusetts during 4-day operation targeting criminal aliens with drug offenses

BOSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested 19 individuals in several counties throughout Massachusetts during a four-day enforcement action, targeting criminal aliens who have been convicted or charged with fentanyl, heroin, and other drug-related trafficking crimes. Many of these criminal aliens were released from local law enforcement custody into Massachusetts communities with no notification to ICE.

Those arrested during the enforcement action hail from seven different countries – Bahamas (1), Brazil (4), Cape Verde (4), Dominican Republic (6), France (1), Guatemala (1), Haiti (2). Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-19-massachusetts-during-4-day-operation-targeting-criminal-aliens-drug

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.greencardadvice.com.

USCIS Implements $10 Fee for H-1B Visa Registration

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The registration fee is part of an agency-wide effort to modernize and more efficiently process applications to live or work in the United States.

The H-1B program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher in the specific specialty, or its equivalent.

Upon implementation of the electronic registration system, petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, will first have to electronically register with USCIS during a designated registration period, unless the requirement is suspended.

“This effort will help implement a more efficient and effective H-1B cap selection process,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “The electronic registration system is part of an agency-wide initiative to modernize our immigration system while deterring fraud, improving vetting procedures and strengthening program integrity.” Read more: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-implements-10-fee-h-1b-visa-registration

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.grencardadvice.com.

ICE announces Wake County criminal offenders shielded by current non-cooperation policy

RALEIGH, N.C. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has repeatedly asked local jurisdictions to reconsider non-cooperation policies because those policies put politics before public safety. On Friday, ICE released more examples of foreign nationals with active ICE detainers who have been detained for serious criminal offenses in North Carolina’s Wake County. ICE asks Wake County to transfer these individuals to federal custody instead of releasing them to the community where they may reoffend.

ICE maintains that cooperation with local law enforcement is essential to protecting public safety, and the agency aims to work cooperatively with local jurisdictions to ensure that criminal aliens are not released into U.S. communities to commit additional crimes. Read more at:https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-announces-wake-county-criminal-offenders-shielded-current-non-cooperation-policy

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.greencardadvice.com.

DHS Extends TPS Documentation for Six Countries

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a Federal Register notice extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan through Jan. 4, 2021.
The notice automatically extends the validity of Employment Authorization Documents; Forms I-797, Notice of Action; and Forms I-94, Arrival/Departure Record (collectively, TPS-related documentation). The validity dates for the affected countries are:
TPS Designation(s) Current Expiration Date New Expiration Date
El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan Jan. 2, 2020 Jan. 4, 2021
Honduras Jan. 5, 2020 Jan. 4, 2021
Nepal March 24, 2020 Jan. 4, 2021
DHS is extending the TPS documentation in compliance with the preliminary injunctions of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Ramos, et al. v. Nielsen, et. al. and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Saget, et. al., v. Trump, et. al., and with the order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to stay proceedings in Bhattarai v. Nielsen.
Should the government prevail in its challenge to the Ramos preliminary injunction, the secretary’s determination to terminate TPS for Nicaragua and Sudan will take effect no earlier than 120 days from the issuance of any appellate mandate to the district court. The secretary’s determination to terminate TPS for El Salvador will take effect no earlier than 365 days from the issuance of any appellate mandate to the Ramos district court to allow for an orderly transition for affected TPS beneficiaries.
For more information, see the notice and the TPS page on the USCIS website.

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information www.greencardadvice.com.