Articles Posted in Immigration News

Last Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Acting Director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Tracy Renaud released a statement on the celebration of June as Immigrant Heritage Month! This Heritage Month honors contributions made by immigrants in communities across the United States.

 
This is that last paragraph of her official statement below:

“Diversity is part of what makes America strong and what makes USCIS so important. The work we do each day has a direct impact on individuals and families who hope to call America home. Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month is a celebration of America since we are, after all, a nation of immigrants.”

On Monday, June 14^th, the USCIS Vermont Service Center changed their receiving addresses because of a location change. The address changes are listed on New Alert below, this will affect Premium Processing Mail, H-1B Cap Mail and all other mail addresses to this service center location!

Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details and the new addresses:

Vermont Service Center Address Change

On May 3^rd, USCIS started a pilot program at the Nebraska Service Center to accept credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This pilot program will be limited to this location at this time.

Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485

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The USCIS has announced that it has updated it Visitor procedure and policy to consider fully vaccinated persons! Individuals who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to wear a mask. The USCIS News Alert stated, “To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine.”

Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

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On Tuesday May 11^th, USCIS announced that clients with scheduled biometric services appointments can now call the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) to reschedule their biometric services appointment with the USCIS Application Support Center if needed. You must call before your scheduled appointment and show good cause for rescheduling!

Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments by Phone

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USCIS has published a notice in the Federal Register that as of May 11, 2021 they are withdrawing the proposed rule published May 29, 2018. The 2018 Trump Administration change removed the International Entrepreneur Parole Program, this action will restore it!

Background:

Under the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER), DHS may use its parole authority to grant a period of authorized stay, on a case-by-case basis, to foreign entrepreneurs who demonstrate that their stay in the United States would provide a significant public benefit through their business venture and that they merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

As of May 17^th, USCIS will suspend biometrics requirements for certain Form I-539 applicants. This suspension will apply to certain H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories. This change was caused by a declaration submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington for the case Edkunni v. Mayorkas. Edkunni is an active class-action lawsuit filed by AILA and Wasden Banias, LLP!

The case is Edakunni v. Mayorkas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, No. 2:21-cv-393.

Please view this Reuters News Article for more details: USCIS will suspend Trump-era biometric screening rule for work-permit applicants