Seattle Immigration Blog

• New Interview Locations for Many Suburban Seattle Naturalization Applicants

  Beginning at the end of June 2019 USCIS District 20 began moving naturalization interviews from the Seattle field office to other offices in the district including specifically Yakima, WA and Portland, OR.  Learn about the effects of these changes.

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• The Invisible Wall: New Barriers to Legal Immigration in 2018

  While the media focuses on the proposed wall, critical new policies are taking effect that substantially affect the procedures for applicants seeking legal immigration. Learn about these substantive changes.

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• New Immigration Rules for Students: Unlawful Presence & Re-Admission into the US

  USCIS has announced harsh new rules for students and exchange visitors taking effect on August 9, 2018. Learn about these rules, and how they affect leave and re-entry into the US.

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• Creating a “Culture of Compliance” Immigration Crackdown Shifts to Employers

  ICE shifts immigration enforcement targets to employers by significantly increasing the number of I9 audits it conducts. Homeland Security Investigations Director Benner stated on May 14, 2018 he intends to create a “culture of compliance” by instilling in employers “a reasonable expectation that they will be audited.” The Associate Press reported him to state, “I think it’s a game changer.” Be ready. Read here to learn how to prepare.

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• Additional H2B’s: Too Little Too Late

  The administration has announced it is releasing an additional 15,000 visas for seasonal workers between now and October 1st. The increase is needed but is too little too late. The process takes months, as described in this post. The season is more than half over. The situation with H2B visas does need to be addressed, but in a reasonable manner allowing for the necessary government processing times and the timeliness of need for the workers.

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• International Entrepreneur Rule Put on Hold

  In a post on this site we explained the proposed International Entrepreneur Rule set by the Obama administration that would have made it easier for foreign investors and entrepreneurs to enter the U.S. The International Entrepreneur Rule set to go into effect next week was put on hold today. Learn about the current status of this rule.

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• False Claim to U.S. Citizenship: There’s No Waiver!

  There is no waiver for a false claim to U.S. citizenship made after September 30, 1996, unless the applicant can demonstrate specific facts to show he reasonably believed he was a U.S. citizen. The question of whether an applicant claimed in writing or in any way to be a citizen is asked on immigration application forms.
  It comes up at immigration interviews. Government audits of employers’ Form I-9’s is increasing. Know the facts. There is no waiver,

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• USCIS Filing Fees to Increase Significantly Effective 12/23/2016

  Immigration filing fees increase significantly December 23, 2016. Take action on your case now. Current fees and new fees for common applications given.

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• International Entrepreneur Rule

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is issuing a proposed new rule that would give certain international entrepreneurs temporary permission to be in the U.S. to start or develop their business here. If the rule, called the International Entrepreneur Rule, becomes final, it would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use its discretionary

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• H-4 EAD: Get the facts

  Beginning May 26, 2015 certain individuals in H-4 status will be able to apply for employment authorization. I have been hearing a lot of misinformation regarding this new change, even including employers petitioning for change of status from H-1B to H-4 for an employee. Please note these true facts: Who Is Eligible: H-4 is a

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