Bellevue, Kirkland & Seattle Immigration, Citizenship and Visa Lawyer

Seattle Immigration Blog

• Important Advisory Regarding EAD/AP Combo-Cards – New Cards May Not Be Valid for Re-Entry Into the US

  Unlike previously, EAD’s now being issued are often not valid for return entry to the US. As a result, applicants for adjustment of status need to confirm re-entry authorization before traveling, or to forgo traveling outside the US.

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• BREAKING: Temporary Protected Status Announced for Ukrainians in the US as of March 1, 2022

  Learn about the TPS requirements and benefits, which affect Ukrainians living in the US as of March 1, 2022, and which grant work authorization and prevents consequences of overstay and forced removal.

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• USCIS Announces New H-1B Registration Period for March 1 – March 18, 2022

  USCIS announced that the next initial registration period for H-1B petitions will open at noon (ET) on March 1 and run through noon (ET) on March 18. The selection process will be a random selection as in the past.

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• U.S. Department of State Announces Waiver of In-Person Interview Requirement for Certain Temporary Visa Applicants

  Learn about the announcement concerning the waiver of in-person interviews through the end of 2022 for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have an approved petition by USCIS.

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• 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.

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• USCIS ANNOUNCES A THIRD ROUND IN H-1B SELECTION – NEWS FLASH!

  November 19, 2021, USCIS announced it would conduct a third random selection for H-1B petitions.  The selection will happen today, November 19, and petitions for those selected can begin to be filed on November 22nd. Because there is a very limited number of H-1Bs available per U.S. government fiscal year, a random selection (sometimes referred

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• USCIS New Rule Adds H-4, E, L-2 Spouses Eligible for Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization: The Change is Welcome but Insufficient

  On November 12, 2021, USCIS announced a new policy granting an automatic extension of employment authorization for H-4 (spouses of H-1 workers), L-2 (spouses of L-1 employees), and spouses of E status holders.  USCIS Policy Alert, PA-2021-25, November 12, 2021 (Policy Alert).  The change must be noted by every employer and worker.  Not being aware

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• Speaking Engagement at the Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference 2021

  I am pleased to be speaking at the Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference 2021: Yesterday’s Lessons, Tomorrow’s Strengths, sponsored by the Washington and Oregon Chapters of AILA.  This year the conference will be held virtually on October 6-8, 2021, and it will offer up to 22.25 CLE credits for attorneys. 

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• USCIS Seattle District Takes Steps to Improve Backlogs

  The Seattle Field Office of USCIS and USCIS District 41, which includes Washington, Oregon, and other states, announced new measures to attempt to address the backlog of pending cases.

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• New Opportunity to Request Reopening H-1B Petitions Previously Denied

  On Friday, March 12, 2021 the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security announced H-1B petitions previously denied pursuant to one of three policies can now be requested to be reopened and reconsidered. 

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