News & Resources

Biden Administration Initiative to Attract STEM Talent to the United States

January 26, 2022

Pursuant to a Biden Administration initiative, on January 21, 2022, the Departments of State (“DOS”) and Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced new actions related to STEM work authorization, J-1 Researchers, National Interest Waivers, and O-1 Extraordinary Ability Workers. You can read the White House Fact Sheet here. “The Biden-Harris Administration believes

DHS Drops Appeal of the U.S. District Court’s Ruling in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Mayorkas

January 13, 2022

On January 5, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), on behalf of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), filed a motion to dismiss its appeal of a U.S. District Court’s ruling in the case Behring Regional Center LLC v. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, et al. (“Behring v. Alejandro”).

Status of the EB-5 Regional Center Program in January 2022

January 10, 2022

Six months have passed since the EB-5 Regional Center Program (“Program”) expired and Congress has still not taken any steps towards its renewal. Originally enacted in 1993, the Program was a pilot, or test, program and was never made permanent. The Program had been extended on a regular basis for

DOS Extends Certain In-Person Non-Immigrant Visa Interviews Through 2022

January 9, 2022

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has extended the authority of consular officers to waive certain in-person non-immigrant visa interviews through the end of 2022. Along with B-1/ B-2 interview waivers, F, M, and J Academic visa applicant waivers have been extended to the end of 2022 under the

USCIS Once Again Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

January 8, 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is again extending the time period within which applicants, petitioners, and requestors may respond to agency requests. This flexibility applies if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is on or between March 1, 2020,

Covid-Era Visa Application Fee Receipts Set to Expire on September 30, 2023

September 8, 2023

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has announced that all receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (“MRV”) fees issued before October 1, 2022 will expire September 30, 2023. There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must schedule an appointment or submit an interview waiver application before September 30,

USCIS Launches New Online Appointment Request Form

August 25, 2023

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently launched a new online form allowing individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request an in-person meeting at their local field offices without having to call the USCIS Contact Center. The new online appointment request form enables both individuals and their legal

The Visa Waiting Time for Married Children of United States Citizens: the Family-Based Third Preference Immigrant Visa Category

August 22, 2023

The family-based third preference immigrant visa category (“F3”) is a type of visa available to U.S. citizens who are looking to bring their married children to the United States. This immigrant visa category is in high demand and there are yearly quotas for visas. As a result, the waiting period

How Can a Lawful Permanent Resident Green Card Holder Become a U.S. Citizen?

August 11, 2023

A Lawful Permanent Resident (“LPR”) or “Green Card Holder” can become a U.S. citizen through naturalization if they generally meet certain requirements. LPR Status/ Green Card Holder Status. You must be an LPR/ Green Card Holder at the time of filing for naturalization. You must have also maintained their LPR/

Why Did My Priority Date Jump Backwards in the Visa Bulletin?

August 7, 2023

For many people who are immigrating to the United States, the Department of State (“DOS”) Visa Bulletin is the most important document to watch each month. The Visa Bulletin helps immigrant visa applicants understand their place in line for a visa. Although checking the Visa Bulletin is an essential step

The Visa Waiting Time for Spouses and Unmarried Children Under the Age of 21 of Lawful Permanent Residents

July 31, 2023

Family-based immigration is an important aspect of the United States immigration system, which allows citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their immediate relatives to immigrate to the United States. One of the family-based immigrant visa categories is the Family-Based Second Preference immigrant visa category, commonly abbreviated as F2A and

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