Articles on COVID-19

U.S. Department of State Issues Temporary Waiver of Some Personal Interview and Oath Requirements for Immigrant Visa Applicants Due to COVID-19

Read about the conditions pertaining to this rule, which is valid from December 13, 2021, to December 13, 2023. - Read More

Update on USCIS Biometrics Appointments

As you may know, one of the many obstacles we are experiencing is the extreme delay in obtaining biometrics appointments. Some applicants have even received approval notices of employment authorization cards but not received the card itself, because the government still needs to do the biometrics check. I want to share with you the latest - Read More

New Executive Order August 3, 2020 – Hiring Practices of Employers with Federal Contracts or Sub-Contracts Under Scrutiny

The president orders executive department and agency review of the use of foreign workers to perform certain government contracts in 2018 and 2019 to determine whether opportunities for US workers were affected. Learn more about this order. - Read More

New USCIS Policy Allows Certain Electronically Copied Signatures During the COVID-19 Distancing Measures

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 20, 2020, a temporary new policy to accept all applications or petitions for immigration status or documents that contain scanned or “electronically reproduced” original signatures, including the Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. The temporary change affects petitions or applications for submissions dated March 21, 2020 or later. - Read More

USCIS Announces Changes in Deadlines to Respond to RFEs and Other USCIS Notices and to File an Appeal

Changes in deadlines to respond to RFE’s, other USCIS notices, and to file an appeal. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced flexibility in submitting required responses to notices that apply to applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain Requests for Evidence (RFE), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), certain Notices of Intent to - Read More

USCIS Announces that Some Biometrics May Be Reused to Avoid Processing Delays

On March 30, 2020, USCIS announced that it will reuse biometrics data that was previously collected prior to the March 18th closure in order to avoid delays. Learn about these changes. - Read More

USCIS Extends Closure of Local Offices; Announces Appointment Cancellations and Reschedulings

What appointment cancellations due to USCIS office closure will be automatically rescheduled? On April 1, 2020, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the current closure of all local offices will be extended at least through the end of May 3rd, unless the closure is extended further. The closure affects all in-person activities including - Read More

What Should You Do if Your Visa Status is Expiring, and You Can’t Leave the US?

The COVID-19 crisis and the associated suspension of many international flights are impacting many people in the US under a variety of visas which require that a person leave the US by a certain date. The steps to take to seek to extend a period of stay vary according to the type of status held, - Read More

Surge in Unemployment Filings Raises Potential Document Conflicts

Learn about the notices being sent to some employers by the WA Employment Security Department (ESD) that potentially raise questions about possible conflicts in employment authorization documents. - Read More

Temporary Suspension of In-Person Inspection of I-9 New Employee Documentation Announced By DHS

Learn about the new I-9 Compliance Procedures for new employees during the COVID-19 crisis, and what actions your company must take. - Read More

Visas & Immigration
Testimonials
- If you heard the story about a soldier who met a Christian Iraqi girl in Iraq, fell in love and ultimately received worldwide media attention, even going on Oprah with Garth Brooks…well…Barbara made it possible
  Robert H. San Diego, CA
Seattle Immigration Blog
- USICS Revives 540-Day Automatic Extension of EADs
  USCIS announces a temporary final rule increasing the automatic extension period of certain employment authorization documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days! This measure restores a pandemic-era flexibility, and helps to protect the continuity of America’s workforce.
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- Time to Apply for U.S. Citizenship!
  If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who is eligible to naturalize, and you want to become a U.S. citizen, now is the time to do it. It’s an election year, and you could be eligible to vote if you naturalize.
  Read More >>
- What Does It Mean That A Visa Applicant Must Be Admissible?
  Whether someone is applying for permanent residence or for a temporary non-immigrant visa such as visitor, student, or H-1B, among others, every visa applicant is required to be admissible to the U.S. If everything else about the case is fine, but the applicant is inadmissible, the visa will be denied. Learn about admissibility.
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- Joint Representation and Potential Conflict of Interest in Employment-Based Immigration Matters
  As immigration lawyers typically represent an employer, it’s important that both an employer and the employee be aware of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise in immigration visa matters.
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- New Fees for USCIS Applications Effective April 1, 2024
  On January 30, 2024, USCIS published notice of changes to application fees. Some fee adjustments, as discussed below, take into account the company’s size or nonprofit status.
  Read More >>
- Visa Appointments (Interview) at a U.S. Consulate
  The Visa Interview is Not ‘Just the Last Step’ It Matters! We often hear clients dismiss the visa interview at the U.S. consulate as just the last step, as though everything was done and approved up to that point, and so, of course, the consulate will “stamp” the passport. Nothing could be farther from the
  Read More >>
- U.S. Dept. of State Announces Pilot Program to Renew H-1B Visas Without Leaving the U.S.
  The Department of State has announced a temporary new pilot program for certain H-1B status holders to renew (revalidate) their H-1B visa from within the U.S. without needing to go to a U.S. consulate abroad.
  Read More >>
- Executive Order on AI and STEM Occupations Could Eliminate the Need for PERM Labor Certification for Many Workers
  PERM certification would no longer be needed if AI and STEM jobs are designated as “Shortage Occupations”; significantly speeding up the process to employ foreign workers in these positions.
  Read More >>
- The ABC’s of NIV’s and Possible Alternatives to an H-1B
  Non-immigrant (temporary) visas are designated by letters. Most people have heard of an H-1B visa, for example, but most don’t know there are many others. Here’s a fun visa vocabulary for common types of business-related status.
  Read More >>
- USCIS Announces Change – Many Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Travel Documents Will Now Be Valid for Five Years
  Learn about recent USCIS changes extending both work and travel authorizations to five years, and the ramifications of such changes.
  Read More >>

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