Immigration Blog Luba Smal Attorney at Law - Smal Immigration Law Office

Can a U.S. Citizen Living Abroad Petition for His Father and Brother?

5/22/2020

Question: Can a US citizen who lives abroad obtain a green card for his brother and father who are living abroad?

Answer: Yes, a U.S. citizen son can petition for his father’s Green Card. The process normally takes a year/year and a half.

A U.S. citizen brother can petition for his brother’s Green Card as well. The process for most countries normally takes about 15 years. It could be longer for people born in some countries (Mexico and Philippines).

You can start the immigration process even now during COVID-19 pandemic because the USCIS Service Centers are still open.

However, in order to complete the immigration process, a U.S. citizen petitioner will have to move back to USA or prove that he has immediate plans to relocate back to USA. It is also important to show that a U.S. citizen petitioner filed his tax returns with IRS, which would be required at the last stage in the immigration process for the Affidavit of Support.

DV 2020 Lottery How an IV Interview Can be Rescheduled After COVID-19 Cancellation

5/21/2020

Q: Is there any chance to reschedule an immigrant visa interview for the DV Lottery 2020? A visa interview was cancelled because of COVID-19.

A: A DV immigrant visa interview for FY 2020 must be rescheduled before September 30, 2020, and a visa has to be issued before September 30th, or the chance to immigrate through a Green Card lottery for this FY will be lost.

The embassies and consulates are currently closed because of COVID-19. If the case is pending at the U.S. embassy or Consulate, when they reopen, contact the consulate directly and without delay. They should be rescheduling everyone when they reopen. If the case is still at the NVC stage, you can contact NVC directly even now. NVC is currently open.

If you applied for adjustment of status and the case is pending at the local USCIS office, USCIS will begin rescheduling soon. USCIS had previously announced that they plan to reopen local offices on or after June 4, 2020. This date might change.

QandA: K1 fiancee visa mother adjusted status, but K-1 petitioner refused to sponsor K2 child for a Green Card

5/12/2020

Question/Вопрос: ВИЗА НЕВЕСТЫ И VAWA ПЕТИЦИЯ РЕБЕНКА.

Здравствуйте! Приехала в США по визе K1 с ребенком виза K2, я получила Гринкарту на 10 лет в 2019, американский муж все это время обманывал меня и говорил что подал документов на мою дочь, но неделю назад я нашла папку которую он прятал от меня все эти годы. Ребенку 17 лет сейчас, документы обещал подать уже завтра , но я вижу что у него маленький доход за год, всего 20000$. Боюсь что он опять обманет и подаст документы как обещал, но мне сказали что ему могут отказать потому что он не может выступить гарантом, так как маленький доход у него. Еще сказали что я тоже не могу подать документы на мою дочь так как я не имею работы Full time и медицинской страховки и тоже нет хорошего дохода. У дочки нет вообще никаких документов вообще, но она учится в школе. Не представляю что делать в этом случае. Подскажите пожалуйста!!!

Answer/Ответ: Добрый день!

Я вам сочувствую. Это сложная ситуация. Я понимаю, что вы подали на грин карту только на себя, и уже получили грин карту в 2019 и все еще замужем В тоже время на вашу малолетнюю дочь, которая приехала с вами по визе К-2, ничего подано не было и она проживает в США "без статуса". У нее нет даже SSN.

Вы никогда не настаивали или интересовались у мужа, почему на вашу дочь ничего не подано, и почему на интервью вызвали только вас, а не дочь?

Возможно, что ситуацию, которую вы описываете, это ситуация домашнего насилия - отказ подать документы, низко зарабатывающий супруг с антисоциальными тенденциями, мнгоголетний обман, вы не работаете и сидите дома (почему? муж настаивает, чтобы вы не работали?) и т.п. Домашнее насилие бывает в разных формах, и нередко люди привыкают к такой ситуации и терпят такую жизнь пока она не обостряется.

Если да, и нет возможности получить грин карту иначе, то иногда ребенок сама может подать петицию ВАВА, как жертва насилия в семье со стороны отчима.

Тут вопрос не столько в том, что у вас нет дохода для вашей петиции как мать, а в том, что ребенок приехал по визе невесты К-2 и петиционер отказывается ее спонсировать.

Вам стоит обсудить детально сложившуюся ситуацию с компетентным иммиграционным адвокатом и решить, что лучше делать. Многие адвокаты проводят платные конфиденциальные консультации по телефону или видео чату, т.е. вам не нужно выходить из дома (например, если у вас нет машины, прав).

С нами можно связаться по адресу

Буду рада вам помочь!

Если у вас нет средств на адвоката, поищите на интеренете организации, бесплатно помогающие жертвам домашнего насилия, например YWCA, Free Legal Aid, Domestic Violence Hotline. Не забывайте чистить браузер вашего компьютера.

Всего доброго!

https://www.thehotline.org/help/

Мой овет опубликован тут.

How to file a VAWA self-petition and apply for a Green Card

5/9/2020

Briefly for our clients in Russian:

Q/Вопрос: Как я могу подать петицию на VAWA . Я и мой муж расписаны. Проживали вместе, но как оказалось он не в себе когда пьет. Документы на грин карту мы не подавали. У меня нет ни грин карты ни разрешения на работу.

A/Ответ: Добрый день! Вы можете подать петицию VAWA и также заявление на грин карту, разрешение на работу и на поездки БЕЗ участия мужа (во многих случаях это можно делать одновременно).

Если вы замужем (или развелись в течение 2-х лет перед подачей VAWA self-petition), проживали вместе в США (даже если сейчас вы выехали за пределы США), муж вас обижал/бил/притеснял/оскорблял/совершал другие насильственные действия против вас, вы человек моральный и без судимостей и т.п. -- вы можете подать все заявления вместе в USCIS в отдел VAWA, если ваш муж американский гражданин, и даже если он постоянный житель США (т.к. сейчас категория F2A is current).

Подготовка и подача VAWA petition очень сложный и трудоемкий процесс. Крайне важно предоставить и подать вместе ВСЕ сопроводительные документы и доказательства по делу. ВАВА отличается от других петиций тем, что решение по петиции VAWA принимается БЕЗ интервью, а на основании рассмотрения ваших документов. Консультация и помощь компетентного и опытного адвоката по делам ВАВА очень важны.

Сроки рассмотрения дел ВАВА в настоящий момент около 18-24 месяцев. Но в течение этого времени у вас будет разрешение на работу и SSN, если вы подготовили и подали все правильно. Вы можете подать петицию и во время COVID-19, т.к. отдел ВАВА открыт и работает. Всего доброго и удачи!

Если вам нужна помощь и консультация, пожалуйста свяжитесь с адвокатом по адресу [email protected] , мы вам вышлем список вопросов и документов нам нужно просмотреть перед консультацией, подтвердим стоимость и условия оплаты за консультацию, и договоримся о дате и времени телефонной или видеочат video call консультации. По делам ВАВА мы работаем с клиентами со всех штатов.

Мой ответ опубликован here.

Bill to Recapture 40,000 Unused Green Cards for Medical Doctors and Nurses

5/6/2020

On May 4, 2020, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill to recapture 40,000 unused green cards/immigrant visas, and give them to much needed doctors and nurses.
This is not a new law yet, but a bill. See text at https://www.durbin.senate.gov/…/Healthcare%20Workforce%20Re…
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would speed the ability of foreign-born healthcare workers to become lawful permanent residents of the United States and allow them to assist in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill would recapture unused immigrant visas for 25,000 nurses and 15,000 doctors that Congress had previously authorized and allocate them to those who can help in the fight against COVID-19. The proposal does not increase current immigration numbers.
“This proposal would simply reallocate a limited number of unused visas from prior years for doctors and nurses who are qualified to help in our fight against COVID-19.”
“Consider this: one-sixth of our health care workforce is foreign-born. Immigrant nurses and doctors play a vital role in our health care system, and their contributions are now more crucial than ever."
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would do the following:
Recapture unused green cards from previous years for doctors, nurses and their families;
Exempt these visas from per-country caps;
Require employers to attest that immigrants from overseas who receive these visas will not displace American workers;
Require the DHS and the State Department to expedite the processing of recaptured visas; and
-->Limit the filing period for recaptured visas to 90 days following the termination of the President’s COVID-19 emergency declaration. Given the 90-day limit, U.S. health care providers who wish to sponsor doctors and nurses for green cards need to do so without delay.

When the results of the DV 2021 Green Card lottery will be available?

5/4/2020

On or after June 6, 2020 at only one website at https://dvprogram.state.gov/ DV-2021 Entrants may enter their confirmation information through the link below starting at noon (EDT) on June 6, 2020. The DV-2021 registration period opened on October 2, 2019, and closed on November 5, 2019. DV-2021 Entrants should keep their confirmation number until at least September 30, 2021.

Executive Order Limiting Immigration Effective Date April 23 2020

4/22/2020

On April 22, 2020, President signed the Executive Order limiting immigration. The order applies to those seeking permanent residence (green cards) in the United States and will last for 60 days, at which point it will be reevaluated and potentially extended.

Effective Date. This proclamation is effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on April 23, 2020.

The order applies only to foreign nationals outside the United States seeking an immigrant visa or a green card, it doesn't apply to those who applies for adjustment of status.

It applies only to certain immigrant visas.

It includes an exceptions for essential workers, including medical workers, spouses and children of U.S. citizens, and "certain other aliens." The order would not apply to seasonal farm workers, who would seek seasonal guest-worker visas.

Sec. 2. Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry. (a) The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall apply only to aliens who:

(i) are outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation;
(ii) do not have an immigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and
(iii) do not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission.

(b) The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to:
(i) any lawful permanent resident of the United States;
(ii) any alien seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional; to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19; or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees; and any spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of any such alien who are accompanying or following to join the alien;
(iii) any alien applying for a visa to enter the United States pursuant to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program;
(iv) any alien who is the spouse of a United States citizen;
(v) any alien who is under 21 years old and is the child of a United States citizen, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
(vi) any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;
(vii) any member of the United States Armed Forces and any spouse and children of a member of the United States Armed Forces;
(viii) any alien seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification, subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may impose, and any spouse and children of any such individual; or
(ix) any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.

As of 11:59 PM on April 23, 2020, the ban blocks the issuance of all new immigrant (permanent) visas to people outside the United States, with some exceptions.

Specifically, the ban applies to:

Parents of U.S. citizens (Immediate Relatives category)
Adult children of U.S. citizens (Family Preference categories)
Spouses and children (regardless of age) of lawful permanent residents.
The diversity visa DV Visa program
All employment-based immigrant visas, except EB-5 investor visas (and except those applying for adjustment of status)
All other immigrant visas, unless specifically exempted.

Who Is Exempted from the Immigration Ban?

The ban does not apply to nonimmigrant (temporary) visas, such as students and H-1B high-skilled workers. It exempts any immigrant abroad who already has an immigrant visa or travel document in hand when it goes into effect. It also makes limited exceptions for:

Spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, as well as active duty troops and their families.
People seeking EB-5 investor visas.
Iraqi and Afghan translators who helped the U.S. military, as well as their families.
Any person obtaining an employment-based immigrant visa as a doctor, nurse, health care worker, medical researcher, or other job that the Department of Homeland Security determines is essential to combating the coronavirus. Spouse and children of these people are also exempted.
Anyone whose entry as an immigrant is determined to be in the “national interest” or that “furthers important law enforcement objectives.”

The ban also does not affect anyone seeking to gain a green card from inside the United States through “adjustment of status,” which does not require obtaining a visa from outside the country. Refugees, asylum seekers, and those currently holding lawful permanent resident status aren’t affected by the ban, but their ability to petition for family members abroad could be impacted.

How Long Does the Immigration Ban Last?

The ban will last 60 days. However, by the 50th day, the secretary of state is required to recommend to the president whether to extend the ban again.

If the supposed “90-day” Muslim Ban provides any history, this new ban will almost certainly get extended through the end of Trump’s first term in office. If the economy continues to struggle, the president will have an excuse to continue to block new immigrants.

In addition, the ban also requires the secretary of homeland security and the secretary of labor to review all non-immigrant visa programs within 30 days. This suggests that another ban may be in the works.

What Is the Long-term Effect of This Immigration Ban?

Routine visa services at consulates abroad are already suspended due to the coronavirus, so this ban does not change much in the short-term. However, the effect will likely be significant if the ban continues once those consulates reopen.

It is expected that all legal immigration would be cut by 33%.

While U.S.-citizen spouses are not affected, nearly two thirds of parents of U.S. citizens would get blocked. 93% of other family-based immigrants would as well. However, because a vast majority of those who obtain green cards through employment categories do so from inside the United States, employment-based immigration is largely unaffected.

Briefly in Russian:

22 апреля 2020, президент подписал Указ, ограничивающий иммиграцию в США. Про этот указ он впервые сказал в твите в понедельник, два дня назад. Этот указ относится к тем, кто обращается за иммиграционными визами в США и грин картами, но не относится к тем, кто приезжает в США по временным неиммиграционным визам. Дата вступления нового закона в силу 23 апреля 2020, и он останется в силе 60 дней. Этот срок может быть продлен президентом.
Указ относится только к иммиграционным визам через посольство и не относится к получению грин карты в США через USCIS как adjustment of status.

Указ исключает из запрета несколько групп иммигрантов: в том числе, супругов и малолетних неженатых детей американских граждан до 21 года, вречей, медперсонал, тех у кого уже есть в паспорте иммиграционные визы, тех кто приезжает по неиммиграционным визам.

Read it here.

F2A Family Preference Continue to be Current in April 2020 Visa Bulletin

3/15/2020

Family preference category F2A for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in April 2020 Visa Bulletin.

It means that it is possible to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

В апреле 2020 продолжается период, когда супруги и малолетние дети постоянных жителей США могут одновременно подавать петицию на воссоединение семьи и заявление на грин карту, если они находятся в США в легальном статусе и соответствуют другим требованиям закона.

April 2020 Visa Bulletin

Adjustment of Status on a New Basis After Termination of Conditional Permanent Residence

11/26/2019

On November 21, 2019, USCIS published a Memorandum explaining a new policy regarding second Adjustment of Status for Conditional Permanent Residents after termination of the conditional residence.

New policy will make it easier for a former conditional resident, whose status was terminated by USCIS, to reapply for adjustment of status under another petition or eligibility basis without having to go through Immigration Court removal proceedings. USCIS will consider the date of admission to be the date USCIS approved the subsequent (second) adjustment application. Time spent in the prior terminated conditional resident status does not count toward the residency requirement for naturalization purposes. The clock will restart after second adjustment.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update and clarify when USCIS may adjust the status of an applicant whose conditional permanent resident (CPR) status was terminated. Background Sections 245(d) and 245(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) bar an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence on a conditional basis from adjusting status under INA 245(a).

However, in Matter of Stockwell, the Board of Immigration Appeals held that INA 245(d) does not prohibit an alien whose CPR status had been terminated from adjusting his or her status under INA 245(a).

USCIS is updating its guidance to ensure consistent adjudication of Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) filed by applicants whose CPR status was terminated.

The guidance contained in Volume 7, Part B of the Policy Manual, replaces guidance found in Chapter 25.1(d) of the Adjudicator’s Field Manual. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior USCIS guidance.

This policy is effective on November 21, 2019, and only applies to adjustment applications received on or after that date.

New Policy Highlights
• Explains how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifies when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose CPR status was terminated in certain circumstances.
• Clarifies that the time an alien spent in prior CPR status does not count towards his or her residency requirement for naturalization purposes.

In general, an alien granted lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis[20] is ineligible to adjust status on a new basis under the provisions of INA 245(a).[21] Instead, conditional permanent residents (CPRs) must generally comply with the requirements of INA 216 or 216A to remove the conditions on their lawful permanent resident status.[22]

This bar to adjustment, however, only applies to an alien in the United States in lawful CPR status. In Matter of Stockwell (PDF),[23] the Board of Immigration Appeals adopted a narrow interpretation of the regulation implementing this adjustment bar,[24] stating that the bar no longer applies if USCIS terminates the alien’s CPR status.[25]

USCIS can terminate CPR status for reasons specified in INA 216 or INA 216A. [26] Although the immigration judge may review the termination in removal proceedings, the bar no longer applies upon USCIS terminating the CPR status; it is not necessary that an immigration judge have affirmed USCIS’ decision to terminate the alien’s CPR status before the alien may file a new adjustment application.

Therefore, under INA 245(a), USCIS may adjust the status an alien whose CPR status was previously terminated, if:[27]

The alien has a new basis for adjustment;
The alien is otherwise eligible to adjust;[28] and
USCIS has jurisdiction over the adjustment application.[29]

When seeking adjustment of status again, the alien may not reuse the immigrant petition associated with the previous CPR adjustment or admission. Therefore, the alien must have a new basis to adjust.
An alien seeking to adjust status again who was admitted as a fiancé(e) (K nonimmigrant) may only re-adjust based on an approved Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) filed by the same U.S. citizen who filed the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F) on his or her behalf.[30]
The alien must also be otherwise eligible to adjust status including not being inadmissible or barred by INA 245(c).

If the alien successfully adjusts status on a new basis, USCIS generally considers the date of admission to be the date USCIS approved the subsequent adjustment application.[31] Time spent in the prior CPR status does not count toward the residency requirement for naturalization purposes.[32]

More here.

F2A Family Preference Visa Category Remains Current in November 2019

11/15/2019

REMINDER: Family preference category F2A for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in NOVEMBER 2019!

It means, there is still enough time to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

Briefly in Russian:

В ноябре 2019 продолжается период, когда супруги и малолетние дети постоянных жителей США могут одновременно подавать петицию на воссоединение семьи и заявление на грин карту, если они находятся в США в легальном статусе.
November Visa Bulletin:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-for-november-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR1vdZviX7HsBvZXeDDXrUNMJ5Av2q8mOKPKSRr2nv6nrJabmhNhEWapN1Y

DV or Green Card Lottery 2021 registration period open from October 2 to November 5, 2019

10/1/2019

DV or Green Card Lottery 2021 registration period open from October 2 to November 5, 2019:

Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2021 program electronically at dvlottery.state.gov between
noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Wednesday, October 2, 2019, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted.

The law allows only one entry per person during each registration period. Individuals with more than one entry will be disqualified.

For DV-2021, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply, because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five years:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

Eligibility:

Requirement #1: Individuals born in countries whose natives qualify may be eligible to enter.
If you were not born in an eligible country, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify.
 Was your spouse born in a country whose natives are eligible? If yes, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth – provided that both you and your spouse are named on the selected entry, are found eligible and issued diversity visas, and enter the United States simultaneously.
 Were you born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but in which neither of your parents was born or legally resident at the time of your birth? If yes, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is a country whose natives are eligible for the DV-2021 program.

Requirement #2: Each DV applicant must meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV
program by having either:
 at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year
course of formal elementary and secondary education;
OR
 two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform. The Department of State will use the U.S. Department
of Labor’s O*Net Online database to determine qualifying work experience.

NEW Passport Requirement: A green card lottery entry includes a question about your valid and unexpired passport . If you have no passport, you may not apply, unless you fall under a narrow exception:
a) Stateless (no nationality of any country),
b) A national of a Communist-controlled country, and unable to obtain a passport from my government,
c) Unable to obtain a passport, and have received an individual waiver of the passport requirement by the Secretary of Homeland Security or Secretary of State.

Do not submit an entry to the DV program unless you meet both of these requirements.

If you need help, please contact us at [email protected]

Read more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2021-Instructions-Translations/DV-2021-Instructions-English.pdf

F2A Family Preference Green Card Category Continues to be CURRENT in October 2019

9/18/2019

Family preference category for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in October 2019!

It means, there is still enough time to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, and other concurrent applications, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

USCIS October 2019 announcement is here:

October 2019 visa bulletin is here.

Like in July and August, F2A is CURRENT in September 2019

8/19/2019

The USCIS will honor the Final Action Dates chart, rather than the Dates for Filing chart, in September 2019. Just as it was done in July and August. When such retrogressions have occurred in the past, the USCIS has accepted applications and held them until priority dates become current again.

If a F2A spouse or a minor child is in the USA in a valid nonimmigrant status, it is still possible to file a concurrent petition and application for adjustment of status in September 2019.

If you need help or advice, please email us to schedule a phone or Skype consultation with an attorney.

Please see USCIS' announcement here.

Reminder: Very Rare F2A Concurrent Filing Period Opened on July 1 2019

7/1/2019

Today, July 1, 2019, begins the exceptionally rare period of authorized concurrent filing of I-130 and I-485 for spouses and minor children of permanent residents/green card holders. The filing period is expected to end on July 31, 2019, unless August 2019 Visa Bulletin also projects F2A preference category to be "current".
It is important to file all applications properly and submit all required initial evidence in order to avoid rejection, because there could be no time for re-filing if the filing period ends on July 31st.
Spouses and minor children of the lawful permanent residents who are in the USA in *lawful status* might be able to apply for adjustment of status concurrently with the filing of I-130 petition. Consult an attorney if not sure if you are eligible to apply.
If you need legal help please email at [email protected]

In Russian:

Сегодня 1 июля 2019 открылся период для подачи одновременно петиции на воссоединение семьи и заявления на грин карту для жен и малолетних детей постоянных жителей США, которые находятся в США *в легальном статусе*, например приехали по гостевой визе или находятся в США по студенческой визе. Этот период продлится с 1 по 31 июля 2019, в соответствии с июльским календарем виз. Помните, что важно правильно все подготовить и подать в USCIS, чтобы избежать отказа в принятии заявлений, rejection, так как не известно, продолжится ли этот период в августе или закончится 31 июля. Если вам нужна помощь, обращайтесь по электронной почте [email protected]

New: USCIS to Remind About I-864 Affidavit of Support at Green Card Interview

7/1/2019

On June 14, 2019, USCIS announced the implementation of the “Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens,” issued May 23, 2019.

Now, USCIS officers are required to remind applicants and their petitioners at the adjustment of status (aka green card) interviews of their sponsors’ responsibilities:

Officers must remind applicants and sponsors that the Affidavit of Support is a legal and enforceable contract between the sponsor and the federal government, and that the sponsor must be willing and able to financially support the intending immigrant.
If the sponsored immigrant receives any federal means-tested public benefits, the sponsor “will be expected to reimburse the benefits-granting agency for every dollar of benefits received by the immigrant,” USCIS said.

USCIS announcement is here; Presidential Memorandum is here.

DHS has revised the definition of “public charge” to incorporate consideration of more kinds of public benefits received, which the Department believes will better ensure that applicants subject to the public charge inadmissibility ground are self-sufficient. The rule defines the term “public charge” to mean an individual who receives one or more designated public benefits for more than 12 months, in the aggregate, within any 36-month period (such that, for instance, receipt of two benefits in one month counts as two months). The rule further defines the term “public benefit” to include any cash benefits for income maintenance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), most forms of Medicaid, and certain housing programs.
The regulation also excludes from the public benefits definition: public benefits received by individuals who are serving in active duty or in the Ready Reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, and their spouses and children; public benefits received by certain international adoptees and children acquiring U.S. citizenship; Medicaid for aliens under 21 and pregnant women; Medicaid for school-based services (including services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); and Medicaid benefits for emergency medical services.
This rule also makes certain nonimmigrant aliens in the United States who have received designated public benefits above the designated threshold ineligible for change of status and extension of stay if they received the benefits after obtaining the nonimmigrant status they seek to extend or from which they seek to change.
Importantly, this regulation does not apply to humanitarian-based immigration programs for refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs), certain trafficking victims (T nonimmigrants), victims of qualifying criminal activity (U nonimmigrants), or victims of domestic violence (VAWA self-petitioners), among others.
This rule also explains how USCIS will exercise its discretionary authority, in limited circumstances, to offer an alien inadmissible only on the public charge ground the opportunity to post a public charge bond. The final rule sets the minimum bond amount at $8,100; the actual bond amount will be dependent on the individual’s circumstances.
This final rule supersedes the 1999 Interim Field Guidance on Deportability and Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds and goes into effect at 12:00 a.m. Eastern on Oct. 15, 2019, 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. USCIS will apply the public charge inadmissibility final rule only to applications and petitions postmarked (or, if applicable, submitted electronically) on or after the effective date. Applications and petitions already pending with USCIS on the effective date of the rule (postmarked and accepted by USCIS) will be adjudicated based on the 1999 Interim Guidance.

FB2A applicants may use the Final Action chart in July 2019: concurrent filing of the I-130 and I-485 permitted in July for some FB2A beneficiaries already in USA in lawful status

6/30/2019

On June 26, 2019, USCIS had finally published the final guidance: they will accept concurrent filing for adjustment of status in the F2A preference category in July 2019.
Next Month’s Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
For Family-Sponsored Filings:
In the F2A category, there is a cutoff date on the Dates for Filing chart. However, the category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart. ***This means that applicants in the F2A category may file using the Final Action Dates chart for July 2019.**
For all the other family-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for July 2019.
https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo

The USCIS has updated the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin webpage to clarify that the family-based, second preference “A” (FB2A) category is “current” under the July 2019 Visa Bulletin.

The July 2019 Visa Bulletin contains an extremely unusual entry in the FB2A category, which is for spouses and children of U.S. permanent residents. This category is designated as being current in the “final action” (FA) chart for all countries of chargeability, but has a cutoff date of March 8, 2019 in the “dates for filing” (DF) chart. This is unprecedented, as the DF date is usually as favorable, or more favorable than the cutoff date in the FA chart.

Earlier this month, the USCIS updated its website to state that, for July 2019, only the DF chart dates may be used for all family-based cases for purposes of filing an application for adjustment of status (form I-485). Now, the USCIS has updated its website to clarify that FB2A applicants may use the FA chart in July. This means that concurrent filing of the I-130 and I-485 will be permitted in July for FB2A beneficiaries who are already in the United States in lawful status.

Briefly in Russian:

В начале июня USCIS объяснил, что в июле 2019 в категории F2A только те заявления на грин карту через adjustment of status будут приниматься, где петиция I-130 была подана до 8 марта 2019.

Затем, 26 июня 2019 USCIS поместил новое объяснение июльского процесса на подачу заявлений на грин карту в категории для супругов и малолетних неженатых детей постоянных жителей США, разрешив использовать final action date для подачи одновременно петиции на воссоединение семьи и на грин карту, если супруг или ребенок находятся в США в легальном и неистекшем статусе. Эта ситуация крайне необычна. Если вы в такой ситуации, стоит проконсультироваться у адвоката перед подачей заявлений в USCIS.

When I-751 Interview Can be Waived? New Memo Effective Date December, 10, 2018

12/10/2018

NEW USCIS Polity Memo: When a I-751 PERMANENT GREEN CARD INTERVIEW Can be WAIVED? Effective date of this new guidance is today, December 10, 2018.

General rule applicable to all I-751 petitions: conditional permanent residents who file a Form I-751 must appear for an interview.

However, in practice, in most of the cases the interviews were waived, if USCIS officer was satisfied that the petition is approvable and can be approved without an interview.

Under the new Memo, USCIS officers may consider waiving an interview if they are satisfied that:

• They can make a decision based on the record because it contains sufficient evidence
of a good faith marriage;

• For Form I-751 cases received on/after December 10, 2018, USCIS has previously
interviewed the I-751 principal petitioner (for example, for a Form I-485 or Form I-130);

• There is no indication of fraud or misrepresentation in the Form I-751 or the supporting
documentation; and

• There are no complex facts or issues that require an interview to resolve questions or
concerns.

When determining whether to waive an interview, the considerations listed above apply regardless of whether the Form I-751 is filed as a joint petition or as a waiver of the joint filing requirement. Cases involving fraud or national security concerns must be referred to the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate according to local procedures.

Briefly in Russian:

10 декабря 2018 вступили в силу новые правила (меморандум USCIS), о том в каких случаях офицеры USCIS могут утвердить петицию на снятие условностей, форма I-751, без вызова петиционера и супруга на интервью. Этот новый меморандум относится именно к петиции на снятие условностей.

После 10 декабря 2018 офицеры должны будут приглашать на интервью тех заявителей, которых никогда не приглашали на интервью в USCIS. Простое истолкование новых правил означает, что если вы получили иммиграционную визу через посольство, и вас никогда не интервьюировали в офисе в USCIS при получении первой условной грин-карты, то вас должны (могут?) вызвать на интервью по петиции I-751. Эти новые правила относятся одинаково к тем, кто подает петицию совместно с американским супругом, и к тем, кто подает сам как вейвер или исключение, например, после развода.

Становится еще более важно подготовить и подать сильный пакет сопроводительных документов, чтобы в соответствии с новыми правилами, у офицера не было необходимости вызывать вас на интервью.

Видео-обзор адвоката с анализом нового меморандума вы можете посмотреть тут.

Information in Russian: how to apply for adjustment of status or green card in the U.S.

12/8/2018

Information in Russian: how to apply for adjustment of status in the U.S. Brief overview, including recent changes, effective October 1st and November 19th, 2018.

Информация по русски о том, как подать заявление на грин карту, разрешение на работу и на поездки за границу, не выезжая из США.

(1) Первое видео - информация о грин-карте - краткий обзор с учетом недавних изменений в законе:
ВИДЕО О ГРИН-КАРТЕ

(2) Второе видео - продолжение о разрешении на работу и на поездки - как избежать ошибок, отказа или передачи дела на депортации, после новых изменений, которые вступили в силу с 1 октября и 19 ноября 2018:
ПРОДОЛЖЕНИЕ О РАЗРЕШЕНИИ НА РАБОТУ И ПОЕЗДКИ.

I-693 Medical Exam Must be Signed Within 60 Days of Filing and Valid for 2 years

10/16/2018

USCIS Policy Manual Update:

USCIS is revising policy guidance for the validity period of Form I-693, Medical Examination. The updated policy goes into effect on November 1, 2018, and will require applicants to submit a Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before filing.

The Form I-693 will remain valid for a 2-year period following the date the civil surgeon signed it (not submitted, but signed).

Read here.

DV-2020 Green Card Lottery Registration Period Oct 3 to Nov 6, 2018

9/25/2018

DV-2020 Program: Online Registration

DV-2020 Program: The revised online registration period for the DV-2020 Program begins on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified.

DV-2020 Program Instructions

The English version of the DV-2020 Program Instructions in PDF format are provided here. The English language version of the DV-2020 Program Instructions is the only official translation.

Note: If you do not see instructions in your native language, please see the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website to find out whether your country may have additional Diversity Visa information.

DV-2019 Translations (unofficial) are here.

See the Diversity Visa Program webpage for information about:

Briefly in Russian:

С 3 октября 2018 в 12:00 по EST по 6 ноября 2018 12:00 по EST времени продлится регистрация на участие в лотерее грин карт на 2020 год.

Как всегда, совет такой - лучше подать заявку пораньше, так как в последние дни могут возникнуть проблемы на сайте из-за большого количества заявок.

Помните, что каждый год всплывает множество мошенников, якобы предлагающих вам регистрацию через их сайты.

На самом деле всего один официальный сайт для приема заявок на Лотерею Грин Карт. Вам необходимо заполнить онлайн-форму Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form или DS-5501 на официальном сайте Госдепа США https://dvlottery.state.gov/. Сайт начнет работу 3 октября в полдень.

How USCIS Can Help People in Unforeseen Circumstances or Affected by Wildfires?

8/15/2018

How USCIS can help people affected by wildfires in California and other unforeseen circumstances?

On a discretionary basis and upon request, USCIS offers the following immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances:

--Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States.
--Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
--Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employmentauthorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
--Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
--Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
--Extension of response time or acceptance of a late response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent;
--Rescheduling an interview with USCIS;
--Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);
--Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

Note: When making a request, please explain how the wildfires in California or other unforeseen circumstances are related to the need for the requested relief.

Read more here.

Travel Ban or Muslim Ban Will Remain in Effect: US Supreme Court Decision

6/26/2018

On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Trump's travel ban by a 5-4 vote.
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the ban was "squarely within the scope of Presidential authority under the INA," referring to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Read the court's full opinion in the case here.

Read Justice Kennedy's full concurring opinion here.

In one of two dissenting opinions, Justice Sonia Sotomayo who was joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, said the court's decision "fails to safeguard" the "principle of religious neutrality in the First Amendment. It leaves undisturbed a policy first advertised openly and unequivocally as a 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States' because the policy now masquerades behind a facade of national-security concerns". Read her full dissent here.

The Travel Ban remains in effect, and travel of citizens or nationals of banned countries to the USA remains either fully banned (all visas) or partially banned (only some visas are not allowed, while others are still permitted).

The full list of the banned countries and the kinds of visas banned for each country is here.

USCIS Started Accepting Credit Card Payments for Many Applications

2/15/2018

On February 14, 2018, USCIS announced that it will now accept credit card payments for filing most of its applications, including I-130, I-129F, I-485, I-765, I-131, I-601, I-90, N-400, N-600, etc.

Currently, credit card payment option is available for the 41 fee-based forms processed at USCIS Lockbox facilities. To pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover, applicants will need to use USCIS Form G-1450.

USCIS will enter credit card data into the Pay.gov system, operated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and will then destroy the Form G-1450 to protect the credit card information.

Applicants for naturalization, N-400, and applicants renewing or replacing their Green Cards, I-90, can already use a credit card if they file online at uscis.gov.

USCIS Considers Ending H-1B Work Visa Extensions

1/2/2018

The DHS / USCIS is considering new regulations to end the extension of H1-B work visas. The new rule potentially could stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending. It will affect many tech and IT professionals, especially from India and China.

“This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have U.S. citizen children, own a home."

“The idea is to create a sort of ‘self-deportation’ of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans,” said a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

“The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President’s Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programs,” confirmed USCIS.

UPDATE 01-09-2018:

Under pressure from the business and technology communities, USCIS appears to be backing away from a policy change that could have forced foreign tech workers out of the country. The administration denies they considered abolishing H-1B extensions.

“The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President’s Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment based visa programs,” Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for USCIS, said Monday.

“What we can say, however, is that USCIS is not considering a regulatory change that would force H-1B visa holders to leave the United States by changing our interpretation of section 104(c) of AC-21, which provides for H-1B extensions beyond the 6 year limit,” the agency told McClatchy. “Even if it were, such a change would not likely result in these H-1B visa holders having to leave the United States because employers could request extensions in one-year increments under section 106(a)-(b) of AC21 instead.”

Pressure against this discriminatory proposal, and explaining to USCIS that the decision would have been illegal and in violation of federal law worked!

Read more here.

#visa #workvisa #H1B #H1Bextension #USCIS #deportation

Read more here.

White House New Immigration Policy Priorities

10/13/2017

On October 8, 2017, the White House released a list of immigration priorities addressing border security, interior enforcement, and a merit-based immigration system.

The priority list calls for the hiring of 10,000 ICE agents, 300 federal prosecutors, 370 immigration judges and 1,000 ICE attorneys.

The Department of Homeland Security would be authorized to raise and collect fees from visa services and border crossings to fund border security and enforcement activities.

The border security measures include funding the southern border wall, ending the abuse of the asylum system, discouraging illegal re-entry by enhancing penalties and expanding categories of inadmissibility, and improving expedited removal of undocumented immigrants.

Making E-Verify mandatory, putting an end to sanctuary cities by authorizing and incentivizing states and localities to help enforce federal immigration laws, and improving visa security (which was recently declared unconstitutional by a federal judge).

With regards to the merit-based immigration system, the White House's priority list reiterates what was previously announced on August 2, 2017, when President Trump unveiled the revised RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment). This law would reduce the number of eligible family-based green cards and create a new point-based system for awarding green cards.

Specifically, the RAISE Act would establish a 30-point threshold for green cards, awarding an applicant higher point totals for higher-salaried jobs, professional degrees, English-speaking ability, younger applicant age, higher future salary, extraordinary achievements, and an applicant’s investing $1.35 million or more in the United States.

Some of these new immigration priorities were previously announced in the form of President's executive orders, proclamations and memos:

January 23, 2017 EO: Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity of Foreign Worker Visa Programs
January 25, 2017 executive orders: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States and the Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements
February 20, 2017 memo: Implementing the President's Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvement Policies
March 6, 2017 EO: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States
March 6, 2017 Memo: Implementing Immediate Heightened Screening and Vetting of Applications for Visas and Other Immigration Benefits, Ensuring Enforcement of All Laws for Entry into the United States, and Increasing Transparency Among Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government and for the American People
April 18, 2017 EO: Buy American and Hire American
September 24, 2017 presidential proclamation: Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats

If these priorities/proposals will become law, what does this mean for employers/employees?

Employers will face higher costs in sponsoring foreign workers for visas, and for the employees it will become increasingly difficult to meet a high point-based system threshold in order to obtain a green card.
There will be additional delays in visa issuance due to the additional screening required. There will be litigation, and not all of the priorities will become the law.