The USCIS has announced that effective January 1st, 2012, it will begin accepting stand alone I-130 petitions at two different lockbox locations. The I-130 petition is used to file for an immigrant petition based upon family relationships, such as being a spouse of a U.S. citizen, child of a U.S. citizen, parent of a U.S. [...]
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USCIS has finally announced that it has fully implemented a Secure Mail System. By having such a system, the USCIS can ensure that important immigration documentation is delivered to the appropriate address. Too often, immigrants wait for immigration documents that are sent to the wrong address, or the wrong person. The Secure Mail System will [...] On April 1st, the USCIS began accepting H-1B petitions for the 2012 fiscal year. In past years, the USCIS received more applications in the first few days of April than it had visas available for the entire year. However, this year, the USCIS has reported that it has only received 5,900 applications towards the 65,000 [...] Following the damaging earthquake in Japan, the United States immigration agency has offered immigration relief to Japanese nationals and citizens. Individuals whose immigration status is about to expire will be allowed an additional 30 days of immigration status. To find out more information, please visit the USCIS website. [...] Effective March 15, 2011, the USCIS has announced that all individuals who must notify USCIS of a change in address, must use a new address: DHS/USCIS Harrisonburg File Storage Facility Attn: AR-11 1344 Pleasants Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22801 To notify the USCIS of a change of address, noncitizens must use form AR-11.
The immigration process sometimes feels like it is based on geological time. Often, it is impossible to get the immigration agency to move any faster. However, in certain circumstances, the USCIS will consider a request to expedite an immigration petition. The USCIS expedites petitions on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for an expedited request, [...] Last week the Government announced that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act. This announcement has many potential implications for same sex couples. One potential implication is how, or when, the USCIS will begin recognizing same sex marriages when it comes to providing immigration benefits. As of right now, the USCIS does [...] A common question that individuals have is whether it is necessary to submit original immigration documents to the immigration agency when applying for immigration benefits. Many individuals just assume that it is necessary to submit originals. But that is not the case. In almost all cases, a COPY OF AN IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT is the only [...] The USCIS has finally released its first ever formal form for fee waiver applications. The new form is I-912 – and is available for immediate use on the USCIS website. The USCIS has long allowed for indigent individuals to apply for a fee waiver – however, it never had a formal form. The lack of [...] Starting today, November 23, 2010, the USCIS will charge the following fees: Form No. Application/Petition Description Fees Effective Nov. 23, 2010 I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card $365 I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document $330 I-129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $325 I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) $340 I-130 Petition [...] In less than twenty days, the USCIS will start charging its new fees: Form No. Application/Petition Description Fees Effective Nov. 23, 2010 I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card $365 I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document $330 I-129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $325 I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) $340 I-130 Petition for Alien [...] A few weeks ago, USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas attended a one-on-one forum at New York City’s New School. For an hour and a half the Director took questions from New School’s President Bob Kerrey and from eager forum attendees. Although I was unable to attend the forum, I recently got to watch the USCIS Director [...] USCIS has announced that it is holding a series of open houses at its immigration offices throughout the year. These open houses are meant to allow immigrants and other players in the immigration field to gain a better understanding of the USCIS’s practices and to better understand the USCIS workers at the field offices. If [...] The New York Times recently published an editorial questioning the increasing costs of immigration on the individuals who are seeking immigration benefits. The USCIS recently announced another increase in filing fees. These increases are due to the budget shortfall that the agency faces. Over 90% of the agency’s budget is financed by the fees it [...] USCIS is poised to raise the processing fees for immigration petitions once again. The raise in fees is about ten percent across the board for all immigration petitions. Two notable exceptions to the increase are the N-400 Naturalization Fee, which will remain $595 and the K-1 Fiancee visa application, which will actually decrease in cost. [...] |
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