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Category: News

  • I-539’s No Longer Eligible for “Courtesy” Premium Processing

    On March 1, 2019, USCIS reported that I-539 applications filed concurrently with a qualifying I-129 petition will no longer be eligible for premium processing. USCIS announced the change was necessary to accommodate wait time on the biometrics appointments necessary for the Form I-539 adjudication...
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  • Breaking News: Trump Administration Significantly Expands Power to Remove Illegal Aliens

    Today, Kevin K. McAleenan, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, announced a new designation of aliens subject to expedited removal that applies to certain aliens encountered anywhere in the country within two years of illegal entry. Use of expedited removal pursuant to the new designation is expected to alleviate some of the burden and capacity […]
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  • USCIS Announces Expansion of Digital FOIA System

    FOIA permits any person to request access to federal agency records. FOIA requires federal agencies to disclose any information requested unless it falls under one of nine exemptions. Beginning June 25, 2019, USCIS began accepting FOIA requests online through (FOIA) Immigration Records System (FIRST) in order to improve the process, reduce errors and save time.  […]
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  • Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens

    On May 23, 2019, the President issued a Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens. The Administration is obligated to enforce existing immigration laws and protect the American taxpayer. According to this memorandum, all federal agencies must update and issue guidance and regulations to comply with current law and to ensure […]
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  • USCIS Announces Strategy to Decrease Processing Times for Naturalization and Adjustment of Status Applications

    On June 17, 2019, USCIS announced that it will be implementing a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for both naturalization applications and adjustment of status applications. Since 2015, USCIS has experienced an increase in processing times due to higher than expected volumes received during fiscal years 2016 and 2017 […]
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  • Filing Prevailing Wage Requests in the New FLAG System

    On June 4, 2019, the Department of Labor announced beginning June 10, 2019, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is now accepting online submissions of the Form ETA-9141 in the new FLAG (Foreign Labor Application Gateway) System covering all visa programs. The old iCERT System went out of service on June 10, 2019 at […]
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  • DHS Publishes Final Rule Adjusting Student and Exchange Visitor Program Fees

    On May 22, 2019, the DHS has reported that the fees charged by SEVP (the Student and Exchange Visitor Program) to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP- certified schools will be increased beginning June 24, 2019. SEVP does not receive any funding from Congress and solely relies on fees to continue operations; therefore, the increase […]
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  • I-94 Record Goes Alphanumeric

    The I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record Card that the United States government uses to keep track of the arrivals and departures of foreign nationals. Beginning May 2019, CBP is no longer using the 11-digit long number for the I-94 and is instead switching to alphanumeric I-94 numbers. The number will remain 11 characters, but will […]
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  • New Social Media Presence Question on DS-160 & DS-260 for U.S. Visa Applicants

    If you are applying for your nonimmigrant or immigrant U.S. visa abroad, you will likely notice a new question on the DS-160 and DS-260 applications. This new question asks for the applicant’s username and handle for any social media or online presence within the last five years. It specifically requests the information for more than […]
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  • CBP to Launch New Online System for Filing Nonimmigrant Waiver Applications

    On May 30, 2019, CBP announced that a new online system, known as e-SAFE, will be launched in mid-2019 for electronic filing of Forms I-192 and I-212. This system allows eligible nonimmigrants, who do not require a visa to enter the United States, to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility via Forms I-192 and I-212. […]
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