On June 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, will also be available for these applicants.

The premium processing expansion for certain Form I-539 applicants will occur in phases, and nonimmigrants requesting premium processing should not file before these dates:

• Beginning June 13, 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, who have a pending Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
• Beginning June 26, 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed either via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, when filed together with Form I-539.

This phase of premium processing service is only available for change of status requests. Premium processing is not available for individuals seeking an extension of stay in M-1 or M-2 status.

USCIS will reject premium processing requests for a pending Form I-539 if received before June 13. USCIS will reject premium processing requests when filed together with a Form I-539 if USCIS receives the request before June 26, 2023. 

Important reminder: You must submit Form I-907 the same way you submit Form I-539.

• If you mail a paper Form I-539 to us, you must mail a paper Form I-907.
• If you submit Form I-539 online, you must submit Form I-907 online.

I-907 Filing fee $1,750 if you are requesting premium processing for a pending Form I-539 seeking change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status.

​It is expected that the decision will be made within 30 days.

As previously announced, the expansion of premium processing is part of USCIS’ efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall immigration system. USCIS is expanding premium processing in a phased approach to ensure compliance with the with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, which prohibits the expansion of premium processing if it will increase processing times for the immigration benefit requests.

Briefly in Russian:

Начиная с 13 июня 2023 заявители на СМЕНУ статуса на СТУДЕНЧЕСКИЙ статус, а именно F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 , которые уже подали заявление на смену статуса, и оно находится на рассмотрении в USCIS (pending Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status), смогут подать на УСКОРЕНИЕ рассмотрения заявления на смену статуса, подав форму на ускорение I-907.

Если вы подавали I-539 по почте - подаете форму об ускорении тоже по почте.

Если вы подавали I-539 онлайн - подаете онлайн.

​Если вы еще не подали - то одновременная подача будет возможна с 26 июня.

Госпошлины указаны на сайте USCIS. Госпошлина за ускорение смены статуса на F-1 student, $1,750.

Ожидается, что решение по вашему делу по ускорению будут принято в течение 30 дней

​

​Afghan Nationals Can Now Apply for Fee-Exempt Re-Parole and Employment Authorization Documents Through a New Streamlined Process Online or By Mail Effective June 9, 2023.

Beginning June 8, 2023, Afghan nationals paroled into the United States on or after July 31, 2021, with an “OAR” or “PAR” class of admission can now apply for an additional two-year period of parole, or re-parole, and for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (or EAD renewal) without paying a fee. The new streamlined and fee-exempted application process is available only to self-filers through the USCIS online account or by filing a paper application.
What You Need to Know
What form should I use to file for re-parole under this streamlined fee-exempt process?
File Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, either online or on paper and indicate that you are filing on behalf of yourself (Part 2, Item 1.e. on the paper form). If you are filing on paper, use Form I-131 with an edition date of 06/06/23 or 10/31/22. (Note that after 08/08/2023, you may only file the 06/06/23 edition of Form I-131.)
For detailed instructions on how to file, visit the Re-Parole Process for Certain Afghans webpage. We have also developed an informational video on how to file for re-parole through the USCIS online account.

How much is the filing fee for re-parole under this process?
There is no filing fee under this process available to self-filing Afghan nationals paroled from June 9, 2023, through July 31, 2024.

Can I request an EAD at the same time I apply for re-parole?
Yes, if you are self-filing (Item 1.e. in Part 2).

Do I need to file a separate Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an EAD?
No. If you are self-filing, you can request an EAD on Form I-131 without a filing fee.

Do I need to file any other forms to apply for re-parole?
No. If you are self-filing, you only need to file Form I-131 to apply for re-parole. We have revised Form I-131 so you do not need to file a separate Form I-765.

What if I already submitted (or someone submitted on my behalf) a Form I-131 to request re-parole?
You may submit a new request using the streamlined process announced in this message to receive the fee exemption and concurrent EAD processing. If you submit a new request under this streamlined process, you may withdraw your pending request by emailing [email protected]. Please include your receipt number that begins with “IOE” and put “Afghan Re-Parole” in the subject line of your message.
If you choose not to withdraw your previous request, your pre-June filing for re-parole may take longer to process, and you will need to submit a separate Form I-765 to request a new EAD only after we first approve your Form I-131.

What if I have submitted an asylum application or an application to adjust my status to that of a lawful permanent resident?
Afghan parolees who apply for asylum or for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status (such as adjustment of status as a special immigrant) before the expiration of their initial parole period do not need to apply for re-parole under this streamlined process. DHS will consider, on a case-by-case basis, providing an extension of your original parole period based on your pending asylum or adjustment of status application. If approved, we will also extend your original employment authorization and send a Form I-797C, Notice of Additional Action, to your last address of record with USCIS. If you want an actual updated EAD card, you may file Form I-765, using category c(11), which will be fee-exempted and processed as part of this streamlined re-parole application process. 

What Documents Do I Need to Apply?
You must submit at least one government-issued identity document that shows your photo, name, and date of birth. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• A copy of both sides of a Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document, from USCIS or a driver’s license from the state government where you are living.
• A copy of your passport, including the biographical page and visas issued from any country.
• A copy of both sides of your Tazkira.

If you do not have any government-issued identity document, either because you lost your document or never received one, list your father’s and mother’s first names and explain why you cannot provide a Tazkira.
If you submit any document containing a foreign language to USCIS, you must also submit a full English language translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, with certification from the translator that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Consider Applying Online
By applying for re-parole through a USCIS online account, you can prevent common mistakes such as a missing signature, missing pages, or an incomplete application. These issues may be why we reject some applications filed on paper. Through a USCIS online account, you can check the status of your case, access notices sent by USCIS, communicate with USCIS, update your address, and respond to Requests for Evidence.
We have resources in Dari and Pashto to guide you through the steps to set up your free online account.

• How to Create an Online Account video, flyer, webpage in Dari.
• How to Create an Online Account video, flyer, webpage in Pashto.
• We have also posted helpful materials from our national engagements on re-parole in the Electronic Reading Room on our website.

If you need technical support with your new account or an existing account, please visit my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp.
Top 3 Questions
Q1: How can I check if I have an OAR or PAR class of admission to apply for re-parole through the new fee-exempt application process?
A1: If you received Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, when you were paroled into the United States, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form I-94 website to view and print a copy of your Form I-94, which will show your class of admission. CBP has instructions on how to look up your current I-94 in Dari and Pashto.
If you are an Afghan national paroled into the United States on or after July 31, 2021, and you did not receive an “OAR” or “PAR” class of admission on your Form I-94, please email CBP at [email protected] to update your class of admission, if appropriate, before submitting your re-parole request.
Q2: I have a pending application for asylum. Can I still apply for re-parole?
A2:  Afghan parolees who apply for asylum or for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status (such as adjustment of status as a special immigrant) before their initial parole period expires do not need to apply for re-parole under this streamlined process. In recognition of the continued urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit underlying your original parole grant and the time necessary for you to accomplish the purpose of your parole and regularize your immigration status, DHS plans to consider you on a case-by-case basis for an extension of your original parole period. If approved, we will extend your original employment authorization and send a Form I-797C, Notice of Additional Action, to your last address of record with USCIS. If you want an updated EAD card, although your I-797C will already serve as employment authorization, you may file Form I-765 using category c(11), which will be fee-exempted and processed as part of this streamlined re-parole application process.
Q3: I filed Form I-765 before the new streamlined application process was ready. Do I still need to apply for re-parole?
A3: Yes. Form I-765 only assesses your eligibility for an EAD and does not grant you re-parole. You must file Form I-131 under this streamlined application process to request re-parole. Please note that after your initial parole expires, you no longer have authorization to be present in the United States unless you have been granted re-parole or another status such as asylum or Temporary Protected Status. Individuals with pending asylum applications or applications to adjust their status to lawful permanent residence may remain in the United States until their case is adjudicated and they receive their decision.


​Effective June 9, 2023, through July 31, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider, on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, a two-year extension of the original parole period for Afghan parolees who have already applied for asylum or for adjustment to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (such as adjustment of status as a special immigrant). This is in recognition of the continued urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit underlying the original parole grant and the time necessary for Afghan parolees to accomplish the purpose of their parole and regularize their immigration status. These Afghan parolees who have already applied for asylum or LPR status do not need to apply for re-parole.  If approved, USCIS will extend their original employment authorization and send a Form I-797C, Notice of Additional Action, to their last address of record with USCIS.   
If these Afghan parolees require an updated Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in addition to the Form I-797C, they may file a fee-exempt Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS under category c(11).  
We understand the need for re-parole to provide continuity in lawful presence and the ability to work and support one’s family while pursuing a more permanent immigration status. For this reason, certain Afghan parolees in the United States who have not yet filed for any immigration benefit, or who have applied for a temporary benefit such as Temporary Protected Status, may now apply for re-parole and employment authorization through a new streamlined and fee-exempted application process that is available online and on paper.  USCIS will exempt application fees for these applicants for re-parole by using Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. These applicants who self-file for re-parole will also be able to request an EAD using the same Form I-131.  
USCIS will accept and consider, on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, re-parole requests under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act from certain noncitizen Afghans paroled into the United States. Afghan nationals who were paroled into the United States from July 31, 2021, through June 8, 2023, and have an “OAR” or “PAR” class of admission on their Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, are eligible for the fee exemption from June 8, 2023, through July 31, 2024. This reflects the DHS’s commitment to providing Afghan nationals with a streamlined process to request re-parole and an EAD. 
The process to request fee-exempt re-parole for certain Afghan nationals will be available both online and via paper filing. A new Re-Parole Process for Certain Afghans webpage will provide information on the process and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for re-parole. 

• To apply for fee-exempt re-parole and an EAD on the 06/06/23 edition of Form I-131, the applicant must: 
  • Select “I am outside of the United States, and I am applying for Advance Parole Document” on the paper application in Part 2, Item 1.e.; 
  • Mark “Y” for the question, “Are you applying for re-parole?”; and 
  • Mark “Y” in Part 8 for the question, “I am requesting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval of my new Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) period of parole” to request a fee-exempt EAD. 
• Do not submit a separate Form I-765 with your Form I-131. If you submit Form I-765 with your request for re-parole, we may reject your application or take longer to process it. 
• Applicants filing by paper and using the 10/31/22 edition of Form I-131 before Aug. 8, 2023, should write “OAW EAD” on the top of the form, regardless of whether they have a PAR or OAR class of admission.   

If your initial EAD is expiring, you must indicate you would like to renew your EAD when filing Form I-131 through this new streamlined process.  
If you are an Afghan national and applied for re-parole through Form I-131 before June 8, 2023, when this new streamlined application process was not yet available, you may submit a new request using the process announced in this message to receive the fee exemption and concurrent EAD processing. Please see the Afghan Nationals Re-Parole FAQs webpage for more information on the options available to you. 

​The U.S. government is granting advance travel authorization for up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to come to the United States to seek parole on a case-by-case basis under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Due to high interest in these processes, USCIS is updating the review process effective May 17, 2023.
We are updating the review process because the number of supporters who have submitted Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, is significantly higher than the 30,000 monthly travel authorizations available. It is intended to maintain a meaningful and equitable opportunity for all beneficiaries of a Form I-134A to move forward through the process and seek advance travel authorization.
Under the new review process that went into effect on May 17, USCIS will randomly select about half of the monthly total, regardless of filing date, from the entire pending workload of Form I-134A to determine whether the case can be confirmed.
We will review the other half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A based on when the case was submitted under the first-in, first-out method, which prioritizes the oldest Forms I-134A for review.
Potential supporters should not submit a duplicate Form I-134A for the same beneficiary. We will not accept a duplicate Form I-134A if a previously submitted Form I-134A between the same potential supporter and beneficiary is pending. If we do not confirm a Form I-134A, but a supporter believes they meet the requirements to be a supporter under the process, they may file a new Form I-134A and submit additional information as evidence.
Under this updated review process, processing times will vary. Potential supporters may monitor the status of a Form I-134A they filed in their USCIS online account or check the most recent status in Case Status Online. The USCIS Contact Center cannot provide any additional information about the status of your case.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on May 4, 2023, that it is now “affirmatively creating and providing documented evidence of their status to certain new asylees and lawful permanent residents upon our receiving notification that an immigration judge [IJ] or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has granted status.” USCIS said that by providing this evidence, “we can help ensure that new asylees and lawful permanent residents may seek employment, travel, and obtain other benefits they are entitled to,” USCIS said.

USCIS also said its field offices may now be able to provide this documentation by mail instead of having asylees and lawful permanent residents schedule an in-person appointment. USCIS began this effort in August 2022 by mailing Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with asylee stamps to certain individuals who have been granted asylum by an IJ or the BIA. USCIS also has been issuing Permanent Resident Cards (green cards) to some lawful permanent residents when the agency is notified that the IJ or BIA has granted adjustment of status.

USCIS still instructs individuals granted asylum and lawful permanent resident status to contact the USCIS Contact Center to request proof of status because USCIS may not be notified in every case.
See more information here:: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-providing-documents-after-notice-of-immigration-judge-and-bia-decisions-about-immigration

All immigrant visa applicants aged 16 years or older must submit a police certificate from their current country of residence and/or nationality if they have lived there for six months or more. Police certificates are also required from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year (except the U.S.).

Fiance visa applicants, in addition to supplying a police certificate from the present place of residence, must also present police certificates from any place or places of residence for 6 months or more since attaining the age of 16.

A police certificate must also be obtained from the police authorities of any place where the applicant has been arrested for any reason, regardless of how long he or she lived there. Police certificates must cover the entire period of the applicant’s residence in any area. A certificate issued by the police authorities where you now reside must be of recent date when presented to the consular officer. Currently, certificates are valid for 24 months (2 years) from the date of issuance.

Police certificates from certain countries are considered unobtainable. To determine which countries’ certificates are unobtainable, please check the State Department’s pages on Visa Reciprocity. If specific questions arise regarding police certificates, please consult our Immigrant Visa Unit.

NEW

Police Certificate from Belarus
The procedure for providing information about offenses to individuals by submitting electronically an application
Request submission at: https://mvd.gov.by/ru/page/informacionnyj-centr/poryadok-predostavleniya-svedenij-o-pravonarusheniyah-fizicheskim-licam-posredstvom-elektronnoj-podachi-zayavleniya .
The procedure for providing information about offenses to individuals is held in accordance with the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated July 20, 2006 No. 909 “On Approval of the Regulations on the Procedure for the Functioning of the Unified State System for Registration and Accounting of Offenses”.
By submitting an application, an individual can request information about offenses in the form оf an extract from the Unified State Database on Offenses (hereinafter referred to as the UGBDP) only in relation to himself after registering in the personal account and paying for the service through the ERIP system (mobile Internet banking, postal office and banks).
If the information is incorrectly indicated in the application, the applicant is notified about the refusal of providing the requested information about the offenses.
The extract will contain information about the personal data of the individual specified while filling in the application, as well as the amount of information requested and information on the presence (absence) of information requested in relation to him about offenses committed on the territory of the Republic of Belarus:
– the presence (absence) of criminal record;
– the presence of criminal prosecution carried out against an individual;
– bringing to administrative responsibility, if, in accordance with Articles 4.9 and 9.6 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, a person is considered to have been subjected to an administrative penalty;
– or the absence of the information requested by the applicant is confirmed in the EGBDP.
Upon the request of the applicant, information may be indicated regardless of the cancellation (removal) of a criminal record, termination of criminal prosecution, expiration of the period provided for in Articles 4.9 and 9.6 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, about which appropriate marks are made in the application.
If an extract is needed to obtain a US visa, the application must contain the marks “on the presence (absence) of a criminal record, prosecution” and “including information, regardless of the cancellation (removal) of a criminal record, termination of criminal prosecution.”
Court and Prison Records
Persons who have been convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and any prison record, regardless of the fact that he or she may have subsequently benefited from an amnesty, pardon or other act of clemency.
Court records should include complete information regarding the circumstance surrounding the crime of which the applicant was convicted, and the disposition of the case, including sentence or other penalty or fine imposed. All court records, including Polish court records, should be translated into English.

Briefly in Russian:

Новая справка из милиции из Беларуси

С 20 января 2023 требуется справка об отсутствии судимостей из Беларуси нового образца. Немного изменились формулировки в тексте справки.

Важно получить справку в которой указано, что это ВСЕ СВЕДЕНИЯ О ПРЕСТУПЛЕНИЯХ.
В справке должно быть написано, что
СУДИМОСТЕЙ НЕ ИМЕЕТ.
СВЕДЕНИЙ О ПРЕСТУПЛЕНИЯХ НЕ СОДЕРЖИТСЯ.

Это включает в себя и те, которые были погашены.

​Помните, что нужно указать все имена и фамилии, которыми вы пользовались (девичья фамилия, фамилии по предыдущим бракам и т.п).

Справка может быть заказана лично или онлайн. Обновленная информмация о получении справки из Беоаруси по линку тут.

Filing Tips for Supporters and Beneficiaries of
Uniting for Ukraine and the
Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

​U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is receiving many duplicate filings of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, and related inquiries to our Contact Center. These tips will help you properly submit Form I-134A as well as correct any errors you discover after you submit it.
Duplicate Filings of Form I-134A
Some potential supporters are filing multiple Forms I-134A for the same beneficiary. This adds to our workload, which delays processing. Please do not file more than one Form I-134A for the same beneficiary as this may delay processing of the beneficiary you are agreeing to support. Please understand that it may take some time to process your request. If you have not received a decision on a Form I-134A you filed on behalf of a beneficiary, the best way that you can check your case status is through your USCIS online account. Do not file another Form I-134A for that beneficiary until you receive a decision on the first Form I-134A filed.
Potential supporters who wish to support more than one beneficiary must file one Form I-134A for each beneficiary. Do not submit duplicate Forms I-134A for the same beneficiary.
How to Check Case Status
After you file Form I-134A with USCIS, we will send you a receipt notice to indicate that we received your request. Please remember that processing of your Form I-134A may take some time, however, we are working on your request as quickly as we can. To get up-to-date information about a case, enter the receipt number (which begins with IOE) into Case Status Online at uscis.gov/casestatus. As mentioned above, you can also get case status in your USCIS online account.

Which Form to Use
As of Jan. 6, 2023, potential supporters must use the new Form I-134A, instead of Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. If you submitted Form I-134 online before Jan. 6, 2023, we will continue to process your case; you do not need to file a new form.

How to Avoid Delays
We are receiving many Forms I-134A with multiple typos and errors.

• If you wish to be a supporter, review all the information on Form I-134A before you submit it. Common mistakes include: misspelling the beneficiary’s name; incorrect dates of birth; incorrect passport numbers; and incorrect email addresses.
• If USCIS confirms your Form I-134A, which means USCIS has approved your request to be a supporter, and the beneficiary’s email address is incorrect, they will not receive the email with instructions to set up their online account, verify their biographical information, and complete other next steps to be considered for parole. It is important for supporters to enter the correct email address for the beneficiary, otherwise, they would need to contact USCIS to request a correction to the email address they entered for the beneficiary, causing additional delays.
• If you are a beneficiary, carefully review all the information your supporter entered about you before you submit your biographical information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Check for misspellings in your name, incorrect date of birth, or mistyped passport number. Any typographical errors in what you submit to CBP can delay your application.

How to Correct Mistakes on Form I-134A
We have added a new section to our frequently asked questions pages for Uniting for Ukraine and the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans that explains how to correct mistakes on a Form I-134A. If there is an error on your Form I-134A, you should submit a secure message through your USCIS online account to notify us of the error.
Tip: Do not call the USCIS Contact Center to correct an error on a Form I-134A you filed unless you are unable to correct the error through your online account.
For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit uscis.gov/ukraine. For more information about the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, visit uscis.gov/chnv.

​Additional answers.

On April 20, 2023, I attended a web conference with the supervisors of the newly created USCIS 6th Service Center called HART.

HART stands for Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removal of conditions and Travel documents.

USCIS announced the creation of the 6th fully virtual Service Center (it has no physical office) in early 2023.

Currently, HART employs about 150 immigration officers. The goal is to increase this number to 480 by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. It is expected that by 09/30/2023, the number will be at 60-85%.

Presently, the HART Service Center focuses on the following four case types: 

• Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver;
• Bona Fide Determination (BFD) for Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status;
• Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; and
• VAWA-based Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.

The filing locations for these applications and contact details, including the hotline numbers, remain the same. The HART Service Center still relies on the respective Service Centers' staff and customer service.

The employees pick up physical cases at one of the existing Service Centers, and drop them off there after adjudication is complete. The HART Service Center's employees all work from home, and reside within 4 driving hours from one of the Service Centers.

Briefly in Russian:

20 апреля 2023 я была на встрече с офисом по гуманитарным делам USCIS, которое касалось недавно открытого шестого гуманитарного сервисного центра - HARP Service Center. Это виртуальный сервис центр где сотрудники работают удаленно из дома, проживая в пределах 4-х часов на машине от одного из сервис центров. Пока  в новом сервис центре только 150 сотрудников. Цель - иметь в штате 480 сотрудников к концу 2024. 

Категории дел пока всего четыре - I-730, I-360 VAWA, I-918 u visa, I-601A provisional waiver. В планах на будущее - перевести все дела в ELIS платформу онлайн и рассматривать все дела онлайн.

If you want to schedule a consultation with an attorney, please email to schedule.

Для консультации с адвокатом, пишите нам на емейл. С 2004 мы занимаемся делами для помощи женщинам и мужчинам, которые подвергались домашнему насилию. Это дела ВАВА VAWA self-petitions.

​

USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status. The previously announced suspension, which was initially in place until May 17, 2023, has been extended through Sept. 30, 2023.

USCIS will allow adjudications for those specific categories to proceed based on biographic information and related background checks, without capturing fingerprints and a photograph. However, we retain discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to require biometrics for any applicant, and applicants may be scheduled for an application support center appointment to submit biometrics.
As a reminder, if you are a Form I-539 applicant meeting the biometrics suspension criteria, you do not need to submit the $85 biometric services fee for Form I-539 during the suspension period.

USCIS will return a biometric services fee if submitted separately from the base fee and will reject paper Form I-539 applications if you meet the above criteria and submit a single payment covering both the filing fee and the $85 biometrics services fee. If we reject the paper application because you included the $85 biometrics service fee, you will need to re-file Form I-539 without the biometric services fee.
As mentioned in the USCIS Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report, USCIS plans on establishing a permanent biometrics exemption for all Form I-539 applicants in the coming months. For additional information on the temporary suspension, please see the 2021 announcement.

 Q: I am a permanent resident of the United States. When my wife came to the USA on a tourist visa in 2022, we got married, and applied for her green card. We filed I-130 and I-485 in 2022.
In April 2023 my petition form I-130 was approved. But the application for a green card is still pending. Why it was not approved yet?
Я постоянный житель США (у меня грин карта). В 2022 мы поженились и я подал на воссоединение с женой в США, когда она приехала по туристической визе.
В апреле 2023 я получил одобрение на I-130, но ничего не пришло по форме I-485. Сколько времени нужно, чтобы получить ответ по форме I-485 и грин карту жене?

A: I understand that you applied for adjustment of status back in 2022, as a wife of a permanent resident, when this category F2A was current. Unfortunately, in April 2023 Visa Bulletin, Final Action Dates in this category F2A retrogressed to September 2020. It means that if the I-130 was filed after this date (after 09/2020), you need to wait until the priority date in your visa category becomes current again. Form I-485 will remain pending and a green card will not be approved until then.
К сожалению, в апрельском Визе Бюллетене впервые за много лет появилась ретрогрессия по этой категории F2A - Final Action Dates. Еще в марте 2023 это было current - когда вы подавали в 2022 году, ваше заявление приняли на рассмотрени. Но в апреле 2023, дата поменялась на сентябрь 2020. Если вы подавали в 2022, то до вас пока не дошла очередь на грин карту (форма I-485 остается в ожидании, хотя I-130 утвердили).

You can see the most current visa bulletin at the US Department of State website here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2023/visa-bulletin-for-april-2023.html

You can see the USCIS information about when to file your adjustment of status application here:
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/when-to-file-your-adjustment-of-status-application-for-family-sponsored-or-employment-based-88

USCIS: Next Month’s Adjustment of Status Filing ChartsFor Family-Sponsored Filings:
For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2023.
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
For all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2023.

Для консультации с адвокатом, обращайтесь по электронной почте.
To schedule a consultation with an attorney, please email to schedule.

Who can be a sponsor or a joint sponsor, or co-sponsor under the federal I-864, Affidavit of Support?

Can it be someone on TPS? Answer: no.
Can it be someone living permanently abroad? Answer: no.

Under 8 CFR 213a.2(c)(1)(i)
(i) General. A sponsor must be:
(A) At least 18 years of age;
(B) Domiciled in the United States or any territory or possession of the United States; and
(C)
(1) A citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the case described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section; or
(2) A citizen or national or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the individual is a substitute sponsor or joint sponsor.

See more at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-213a#p-213a.2(c)(1)(i)

​Affidavit of Support laws could be found here.

11 апреля 2023 Госдума РФ приняла поправки к закону "О воинской обязанности и воинской службе", позволяющие вручать повестки не только в бумажном, но и в электронном виде через Госуслуги. 

Согласно новому закону, повестки теперь будут направлять в письменной форме и дублировать в электронной. При этом электронная повестка считается врученной с момента ее размещения в личном кабинете гражданина "на соответствующем информационном ресурсе, в информационной системе ("Госуслуги").
​
Бумажные повестки отменены не будут, но теперь их можно будет отправлять и заказным письмом. Такая повестка будет считаться врученной и в том случае, если гражданин откажется ее получать.

Другое новшество, которое предполагают поправки, - дистанционная постановка россиян на первоначальный воинский учет на основании сведений из государственных информационных систем. Также военкоматы смогут при наличии оснований зачислять военнообязанных в запас без их личной явки.

Запрет на выезд из РФ и другие ограничения для уклонистов

Принятые Госдумой поправки к закону "О воинской службе" предусматривают и ряд ограничений для тех, кто попытается уклониться от явки в военкомат. В частности, получившим повестку военнообязанным со дня ее вручения запрещается выезд за пределы РФ.На то, чтобы явиться в комиссариат, дается 20 дней. По истечении этого срока призывнику запретят оформлять кредиты и займы, а также регистрировать ИП, недвижимость и автомобили. Также он лишится права управлять транспортными средствами. 

Мужчины от 18 до 27 лет в группе призывного возраста. Мужчины другого возраста тоже могут попасть под призыв и запрет на выезд из США.

​Читайте тут.

Policy Manual Update: Safe Address and Special Procedures for Certain Protected Persons

​USCIS today announced that it is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide guidance on mailing address procedures for persons protected under 8 U.S.C. 1367. This includes persons eligible for and recipients of victim-based immigration relief, specifically Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners, as well as those who are seeking or currently hold T and U nonimmigrant status for victims of trafficking and qualifying crimes. USCIS also extends these provisions to abused spouses of certain nonimmigrants applying for employment authorization under section 106 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

USCIS must ensure that information related to a protected person is disclosed only to authorized parties identified by the protected person. In the context of mailed correspondence, we have implemented procedures to minimize the risk of unauthorized parties viewing the protected information. This update provides guidance to the public and USCIS employees on mailing address and adjudication procedures for victim-based and non-victim-based forms filed by protected persons.
​
 Policy Highlights

• Provides that USCIS must review each form individually to determine where to send notices and secure identity documents, taking into consideration the protected person’s selections regarding receipt of USCIS notices and documents on the Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative.
• Explains that non-victim-based benefit requests should be adjudicated independent of the victim-based benefit requests without reference to previously filed victim-based applications or petitions in any correspondence.
• Provides clear guidance on mailing address procedures for protected persons represented by an attorney or accredited representative and those without an attorney or accredited representative, as well as those with multiple pending forms.
• Explains that the prohibition on adverse determinations described in 8 U.S.C. 1367(a)(1) applies to all cases where a protected person is an applicant, beneficiary, or petitioner. Therefore, even if an officer is adjudicating a non-victim-based application or petition, the officer cannot make adverse case determinations based solely on information provided by a prohibited source.

USCIS внесли изменения в руководство Policy Manual, в отношении конфиденциальности некоторых категорий дел и заявителей. Например, ВАВА петиции всегда защищены от разглашения информации и информация полученная от абьюзеров не используется против заявителей.
​

The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain nonimmigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over. These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023.

he fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185.

The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205.

The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315.

The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.

Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

Additional fee information can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.

С 30 мая 2023 повышаются госпошлины за многие не-иммиграционные визы.

Например, туристическая виза будет стоить 185 долларов. Некоторые рабочие визы будут стоить 205 долларов, неиммиграционные визы инвесторов 315 долларов.

Последний раз цены были повышены в 2014 году.

​Please read more here.

In general, noncitizens applying for certain immigration benefits while in the United States must use Form I-693 to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds.1 Currently, USCIS considers a completed Form I-693 to retain its evidentiary value for 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form, as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature is no more than 60 days before the applicant filed the application for the underlying immigration benefit. This is commonly referred to as the “60-day rule.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing related processing delays, USCIS has experienced delays in all aspects of operations. Applicants have also experienced difficulties beyond their control, including delays with completing the immigration medical examination. In response, USCIS has temporarily waived the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before the applicant files the underlying application since December 9, 2021.

​USCIS is now removing this requirement permanently. Applicants, civil surgeons, USCIS officers, federal partners, and other stakeholders have consistently expressed concern that this requirement is confusing and necessitates Requests for Evidence (RFEs) to be issued for otherwise valid Forms I693. While the 60-day rule was intended to enhance operational efficiency and reduce the need to request updated Forms I-693 from applicants, in practice these efficiencies have not been realized.2 This guidance, contained in Volume 8 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies to all Forms I-693.

Policy Memo.

Policy Manual.

С 31 марта 2023 USCIS изменил правила, относящиеся к дате подписи врача на медосмотре для грин карты, форма I-693.

Ранее требовалось, чтобы подпись врача была датирована не позже, чем 60 дней ДО подачи заявления на грин карту.

По новому правилу дата подписи врача на медосмотре значения не имеет. Медосмотр может быть подан и после истечения 60 дней с момента подписи врача.

​

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that benefit requestors may select their gender on nearly all USCIS forms (or change a prior gender selection) without the need to specifically provide or match supporting documentation.
This update applies to both initial benefit requests as well as requests to change gender markers on USCIS-issued documents after the initial submission. This policy manual update does not apply to Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. Individuals requesting to change their gender marker on a previously issued Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship must submit Form N-565 with documents supporting their request to change their gender marker. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1).
Benefit requestors seeking to change their gender marker after their initial filing should refer to the Updating or Correcting Your Documents webpage. Currently, the only gender markers available are “Male” (M) or “Female” (F). DHS is working on options to include an additional gender marker (“X”) for another or unspecified gender identity. USCIS will update its forms and the Policy Manual accordingly.
This guidance, contained in Volumes 1, 11, and 12 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately. 
​Memo and the new policy.

On March 9, 2023, USCIS released a new edition of the Form I-693, Medical Examination. Effective May 31, 2023, only this new edition will be accepted. Until then, you can submit an ol, prior edition.

​Starting May 31, USCIS will accept only the 03/09/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 07/19/22 edition.

Save time by submitting Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, at the same time you file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

USCI generally considers a completed Form I-693 to remain valid for 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed Form I-693.
Filing your Form I-485 with Form I-693 may eliminate the need for us to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to obtain your Form I-693, which delays review of your application until you respond to the RFE.

Начиная с 31 мая 2023 USCIS будет принимать только новое издание формы I-693 медосмотра (датированное 9 марта 2023). 

Если вы уже прошли медосмотр, и ваш медосмотр на форме I-693 от 2022 года, вам нужно постараться подать ваше заявление на грин карту и медосмотр до 31 мая 2023. Tсли вы не успеете, придется проходить еще один медосмотр. 

Если вы подаете ваш медосмотр вместе с заявлением на грин карту, он будет считаться действительным в течение 2-х лет после подачи.

Extension for Certain Ukrainians Paroled into the United States.

Certain Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members were paroled into the United States last year, on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons, during an approximate eight-week period after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and before the Uniting for Ukraine process was available. Such individuals were generally paroled for a period of one year, while participants in Uniting for Ukrainereceived a two-year period of parole.

With hostilities in Ukraine entering their second year, DHS assesses that there remain urgent humanitarian reasons, as well as a significant public benefit, for extending the parole of certain Ukrainians who arrived prior to Uniting for Ukraine. DHS will consider Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members who were paroled, on a case-by-case basis, before Uniting for Ukraine for an extension of the parole period and employment authorization, if applicable.

Specifically, individuals paroled into the United States at a port of entry between February 24, 2022 and April 25, 2022 will be considered for an extension. DHS is in the process of considering these individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for a one-year extension of their period of parole to align with the two-year parole period provided under Uniting for Ukraine. DHS estimates it will take approximately four weeks to consider and vet all the individuals in the group and will review cases based on the date of parole.

If an individual’s parole period is extended, DHS will proactively make available online an updated Form I-94 with the extended parole period. The period of parole will be extended from the current expiration date without a gap. Individuals can retrieve and download an updated Form I-94 as evidence of their extended parole period by visiting CBP’s Form I-94 website.

Those who have their period of parole extended will also be eligible to receive employment authorization for the additional year. Individuals who have Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) based on their parole and whose parole period is extended for an additional year will receive a Form I-797C from USCIS that can be used to demonstrate continued employment authorization through the extended parole period.  The Form I-797C will be mailed to the address on file with USCIS.  If you need to change your address, please change your address online through your existing USCIS online account or using the Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, online using the Change of Addresspage.

• If you are part of this group but do not see an updated Form I-94 online by early April 2023, please submit an inquiry to Ask Us a Question (cbp.gov)
  • Please select Topic: Traveler Compliance then the subtopic: Ukrainians Paroled U.S. - Russia Invasion
• If you are part of this group and hold a valid EAD based on your parole but do not receive Form I-797C by the end of April, please reach out to [email protected].
• If you do not currently have an EAD but would like to apply for one based on your parole, you may file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS. Ukrainian parolees are exempt from fees for first time applicants.

Ukrainian parolees may pursue multiple immigration pathways at the same time and this process does not impact other benefit requests including those who have applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), been granted TPS, or applied for asylum.

However, parole will terminate automatically upon departure from the United States. Individuals with parole who plan to depart the United States and wish to return must first apply for advance parole in order to be considered for reentry into the United States.


https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine?mibextid=Zxz2cZ


Briefly in Russian:

​Продление пароля на один год относится только к тем украинцам, которыео въехали в США в феврале, марте и по 25 апреля 2022 года через Мексиканскую границу и получил гуманитарный пароль на один год. Это не относится к тем, кто приехал после 25 апреля по программе Uniting for Ukraine.

Пароль должен быть автоматически продлен еще на один год. Вам ничего не нужно делать. Только  проверять форму i-94 на сайте CBP,

CBP опубликует новые форма 94 с новыми датами. 

Дополнительно до конца апреля 2023 вам придет по почте письмо продляющее разрешение на работу на один год с даты истечения старого (то есть у вас не будет перерыва). Письмо придет по вашему почтовому адресу, который был указан в заявлении на разрешение на работу I-765.. Если вы переехали, срочно подайте форму AR-11 online и сделайте это правильно.

Остальных граждан Украины это не касается - тех кто приехал по туристическим и другим визам, и тех кто посил ПУ   политическое убежище после 25 апреля 2022 на границе с Мексикой, или тех у кого парольт на два года по прошрамме U4U..​

Если вы не получили продление к концу апреля, обратитесь с вопросом по адресу [email protected].

А если не пришло продление разрешения на работу – по адресу [email protected].

Если у вас нет разрешения на работу, вы можете его подать I-765 в USCIS. Украинцы по гуманитарному паролю не платят за первое заявление.

Пока не совмесм понятно будут ли продлевать пароль тем, кто уже подался на TPS или получил TPS.

По закону украинцы могут использовать несколько путей иммиграции одновременно, и это не влияет на то, подали ли вы на получение временной защиты (TPS), получили статус TPS или подали прошение о предоставлении убежища.

Запись на консультацию с адвокатом по адресу.


​
​

USCIS Opens the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions and Travel Documents (HART) Service CenterU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is announcing the opening of the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations (SCOPS) directorate, and the first to focus on humanitarian and other workload cases.
HART will promote cohesive and consistent adjudicative operations, and its dedicated workforce will improve the quality and efficiency of our humanitarian caseload processing. This workforce will continue to receive the robust, specialized training currently provided to employees who are processing these forms. These applications and benefits affect the most vulnerable of noncitizens, and the opening of this service center will make a positive impact in the quality, timeliness, and scale of our humanitarian processing abilities.
After a review of USCIS processing times, we deemed that the greater focus should be provided to these humanitarian-based benefits, which led to the creation of the HART Service Center. With HART, we are taking action to improve our service in partnership with community groups. In fact, the creation of HART is partially the result of the feedback we have received from our partnership with stakeholders and community groups. 
HART will initially exist as a hybrid service center, with virtual adjudication capabilities and coordination with existing service centers for certain administrative support. HART will ultimately transition to a 100% virtual service center with no geographic physical location, across multiple time zones. This center will be identified by the specialized work adjudicated by its staff and not by a brick-and-mortar facility or location. 
HART will process both digital and paper-based applications and petitions and will partner with existing service centers to support physical onsite necessities such as file exchange and administrative support.

The HART Service Center will initially focus on the following case types: 

• Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver;
• Bona Fide Determination (BFD) for Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status;
• Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; and
• VAWA-based Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.

The establishment of HART is associated with five hiring phases. We completed the first two phases of forming HART on Jan. 29, 2023, with internal reassignments and leadership details of approximately 150 current SCOPS personnel.
The third phase of internal reassignments is currently in process, pending onboarding and training. On Feb. 28, HART was operational with 30% staffing levels and is currently staffed with 150 positions. Through this phased approach, HART will ultimately grow to 480 positions. Phase four is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the posting of a public USCIS job notice that will seek to attract a pool of applicants from across the country with experience working with the vulnerable populations HART serves. Phase four hiring will focus on bringing staffing levels to 60%-85% of authorized positions by the end of FY 2023. We anticipate by the end of FY 2024, staffing levels will be at 95%-98% of authorized positions. These benchmarks will determine hiring and training which will ultimately establish HART as fully operational. 
Customer Service: Existing customer service channels will continue to be operational during this transition. Customer Service inquires for HART will be supported by the existing service centers.
Address Changes: Address changes for VAWA-based Form I-360 and Form I-918 BFD will continue to be sent to the Vermont Service Center physical address for processing per the instructions on our website at uscis.gov/addresschange. 
Inquiries from Attorney and Accredited Representatives: Attorneys and accredited representatives may send inquiries to the same email boxes they have historically used, as these email addresses are not changing. Unrepresented petitioners and applicants may send signed written inquires/requests for biometrics appointments, including a new date/time or location, to the physical address found on our website.  
Filing Instructions: The transition to HART will not affect current filing instructions. Please continue to follow the filing instructions as indicated in the “where to file” section on each form type’s webpage. Any future changes to filing locations will be posted on webpages for each form and announced via alerts. To register for alerts and updates, please visit: uscis.gov/news/alerts.

Since 2005, our office is helping clients with VAWA humanitarian cases. To contact an attorney, please email  us.

С 2005 года мы помогаем нашим клиентам получить грин карты самостоятельно через гуманитарную петицию ВАВА. Обращайтесь за помощью по емейл.

​

USCIS Updates Policy on Time Frames for Paper-Based Filings and Responses Ending on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays 

​USCIS is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. In these situations, USCIS will consider a filing or response submitted on paper timely if we receive it by the end of the next business day. While the receipt date for these cases will continue to reflect the date USCIS physically received the request, USCIS will consider the benefit request timely filed.

In some cases, benefit requestors must file a benefit request or submit a response to a USCIS action within a certain time period prescribed by statute, regulation, or form instructions. Examples include filing a paper-based benefit request on the last day before a requestor’s or beneficiary’s birthday or the last day of a qualifying time period for filing, or responding to a Request for Evidence or a notice of intent to deny, rescind, revoke or terminate within the specified time frame for a response.

USCIS is pursuing several ways to increase flexibility related to filing deadlines, including this Policy Manual update. This update is effective immediately and will apply to all benefit requests or responses to a USCIS action that we receive on paper on or after March 29, 2023. This update does not affect electronic filings or responses submitted electronically, which we consider received immediately upon submission. We are not applying this policy retroactively.
​
Visit the Policy Manual for Comment page to comment on this update. 

Briefly in Russian:

Если вы подали петицию или заявление в USCIS, или ваш ответ на RFE был получен в выходной или праздничный день, то дата получения будет продлена до следующего рабочегно дня, что имеет значение если ответ на RFE был получен в последний день deadline и этот день нерабочий. Дата received on останется тем днем когда заявление посланное по почте было реально получено в USCIS.