H1B Visa Lawyer BlogAdministrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of 10/1/16.
If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.
Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Maine, Maryland & Massachusetts
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has released all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the United States (Overall), for a total of fifty-two updated fact sheets with accompanying info graphics and other details. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants, Asians and Latinos in each state. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC).
With national immigration policy being discussed as part of Presidential Elections, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this IPC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Maine, Maryland & Massachusetts.
The IPC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants, Latinos and Asians are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.
Reminder – Diversity Visa (DV-2018) Lottery
Annually, the United States government issues a maximum of 50,000 green cards through a computer-generated random lottery drawing. Applications for the DV-2018 random lottery will be accepted from noon (EDT) (GM-4) Tuesday, October 4, 2016 through noon (EST) (GM-5) Monday, November 7, 2016. Paper entries will not be accepted, eligible participants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) to apply during this period. Early entry is recommended and they strongly encourage applicants not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter!
These green cards are only available to those eligible participants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Please check the “INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2018 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2018)” for the complete list of countries/areas whose natives are eligible for DV-2018.
Note: Please review the list of countries/areas whose natives are eligible for DV-2018 because it also includes the countries that are not eligible. Natives of countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are not eligible.
Visa Bulletin – November 2016
The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.
Click here to view the November 2016 Visa Bulletin
The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).
MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, Oct. 14, 2016
MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
Question #1 – Advance Parole (AP)
If my Advance Parole is about to expire and I don’t plan to travel outside of the US within the next year, do I have to renew it?
Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Kansas, Kentucky & Louisiana
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has released all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the United States (Overall), for a total of fifty-two updated fact sheets with accompanying info graphics and other details. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants, Asians and Latinos in each state. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC).
With national immigration policy being discussed as part of Presidential Elections, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this IPC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Kansas, Kentucky & Louisiana.
The IPC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants, Latinos and Asians are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.
H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/19/16
The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. There is a cap limit of 33,000 for the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for the second half for a total of 66,000 per year. If the cap is not reached during the first half of the fiscal year, the extra numbers are then made available for the second half.
The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2017 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/19/16); 5,310 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,377 are pending for a total of 6,687.
The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2017 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/19/16); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.
MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, Oct. 14, 2016
We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.
If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.
Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. Act now and submit your questions!
MVP Immigration Newsletter – September 2016
Once a month, MVP Law Groups’ Managing Attorney, Kellie N. Lego publishes an electronic Immigration Newsletter. This emailed newsletter features current articles, relevant data and up-to-date information about U.S. Immigration. We invite you to join our mailing list.
Current Newsletter: MVP Immigration Newsletter – September 2016
Follow link to join: Join our mailing list!
DACA Statistics – DACA Quarterly Report FY2016-Q3
The USCIS statistics on DACA Initial cases for the third quarter of FY2016, from 4/1/16 to 6/30/16 show a total of 20,796 DACA requests accepted for processing, (N/A) biometric services appointments scheduled, 13,332 requests approved, and 3,040 requests have been denied.
The USCIS statistics on DACA Renewal cases for the third quarter of FY2016, from 4/1/16 to 6/30/16 show a total of 65,369 DACA requests accepted for processing, (N/A) biometric services appointments scheduled, 15,513 requests approved, and 730 requests have been denied.
This DACA Report includes data for FY2012, FY2013, FY2014, FY2015 and FY2016. The USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/12/12 to 6/30/16 show a cumulative total of 1,451,195 DACA requests accepted for processing, 1,373,033 biometric services appointments scheduled, 1,267,834 requests approved, and 64,269 requests have been denied.