In recent years, many immigration applicants have filed mandamus actions with the federal courts, seeking them to compel U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State (DOS) to adjudicate delayed immigration benefits applications. Invariably, when a mandamus action is brought, the defendants not only include USCIS, its director, the DOS, and its
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently posted the June 2024 edition of their monthly updates regarding DOL processing times for permanent labor certification applications (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests, both important components of the most common employment-based green card route.
As of June 1, 2024, the DOL was adjudicating PERM applications filed
Pursuing U.S. citizenship is a pivotal step for permanent residents, particularly those seeking long-term opportunities in the United States. U.S. citizenship offers enhanced benefits and protections beyond what is available to permanent residents.
To obtain U.S. citizenship, permanent residents must meet certain residency and physical presence requirements. For EB-5 investors and their derivative beneficiaries, meeting
On July 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of the myProgress tool in USCIS online accounts. This expansion includes the addition of Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) to the tracking options.
MyProgress tracking is already available for Form N-400 (Naturalization), Form I-90
Due to the suspension of immigrant visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in April 2021, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) formally designated Russian nationals as homeless nationals and designated the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland as the immigrant visa processing post for nationals and residents of Russia. This suspension means the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently posted the April 2023 edition of their monthly updates regarding DOL processing times for permanent labor certification applications (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests, both important components of the most common employment-based green card route.
As of March 31, 2023, the DOL was adjudicating PERM applications filed
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans to test a program that would permit H- and L-visa holders to renew their visa stamps from within the United States, rather than requiring those individuals to travel abroad to renew their visas at a U.S. consulate. A visa stamp is placed in a visa holder’s passport, allowing
As a result of a class action lawsuit, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has entered into a settlement agreement to “bundle” an application to extend or change H-4 or L-2 status and, if applicable, an employment authorization document (EAD) application, if the application is filed with the principal’s corresponding H-1B or L-1 petition.
As background:
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is carrying out its intention to expand the premium processing program by implementing the second phase of premium processing expansion for certain petitioners that have a pending Form I-140 employment-based immigrant visa petition, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Beginning Aug. 1, 2022, USCIS will accept premium processing requests
On May 24, USCIS provided additional information related to implementation of its expanded premium processing program. First announced March 29, 2022, USCIS stated its intention to expand premium processing to certain Form I-140 employment-based immigrant visa petitions, Form I-539 applications to extend/change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765 applications for employment authorization. As promised, USCIS has