H1B Visa Lawyer BlogList of Top News Stories from the last week pointing out the plight of Undocumented Immigrants:
El Paso Times, 3/15/17:
In honor of Presidents’ Day!
Washington’s Birthday (actual date: February 22, 1732), now known as Presidents’ Day, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. This day now honors all the presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the United States’ first president.
“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” – George Washington
Position: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
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 – H-1B Nonimmigrant Work Visa
My employer somehow lost my original I-797 H1 approval notice and I need it to renew my driver’s license and get visa stamping in the future when I travel. Can I get a new approval notice?
Reminder – USCIS Immigration Filing Fees to Increase
USCIS has raised its immigration filing fees effective December 23, 2016. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after December 23, 2016, must include these new fees. Please note that USCIS will reject your submission if the fees are not correct!
New USCIS’ fees effective December 23, 2016
| FORM | TITLE | New Fee($) |
|---|---|---|
| G–1041 | Genealogy Index Search Request | 65 |
| G–1041A | Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Microfilm) | 65 |
| G–1041A | Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Textual Record) | 65 |
| I–90 | Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card | 455 |
| I-102 | Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | 455 |
| I-129/129CW | Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | 460 |
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | 535 |
| I–130 | Petition for Alien Relative | 535 |
| I–131/I-131A | Application for Travel Document | 575 |
| I–140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 700 |
| I–191 | Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile | 930 |
| I–192 | Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant | 585/930* |
| I-193 | Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | 585 |
| I-212 | Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | 930 |
| I-290B | Notice of Appeal or Motion | 675 |
| I-360 | Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant | 435 |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | 1,140 |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (certain applicants under the age of 14 years) | 750 |
| I-526 | Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur | 3,675 |
| I-539 | Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | 370 |
| I-600/600A | Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition | 775 |
| I-601 | Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability | 930 |
| I-601A | Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | 630 |
| I-612 | Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | 930 |
| I-687 | Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act | 1,130 |
| I-690 | Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | 715 |
| I-694 | Notice of Appeal of Decision | 890 |
| I-698 | Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | 1,670 |
| I-751 | Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | 595 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | 410 |
| I-800/800A | Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative/Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country | 775 |
| I-800A Supp. 3 | Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | 385 |
| I-817 | Application for Family Unity Benefits | 600 |
| I-824 | Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | 465 |
| I-829 | Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions | 3,750 |
| I-910 | Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | 785 |
| I-924 | Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program | 17,795 |
| I-924A | Annual Certification of Regional Center | 3,035 |
| I-929 | Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant | 230 |
| N-300 | Application to File Declaration of Intention | 270 |
| N-336 | Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings | 700 |
| N-400 | Application for Naturalization | 640 |
| N-470 | Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | 355 |
| N-565 | Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document | 555 |
| N-600/N-600K | Application for Certification of Citizenship/Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322 | 1,170 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | 220 | |
| Biometric Services Fee | 85 |
Note:
* The fee for Form I-192 will remain $585 when filed with and processed by CBP
** Certain forms require Biometric Services Fee, add $85
For further details please review the USCIS News Release, “USCIS Announces Final Rule Adjusting Immigration Benefit Application and Petition Fees“.
Source of Information:
USCIS.gov, 10/24/16, News Release:
USCIS Announces Final Rule Adjusting Immigration Benefit Application and Petition Fees
Visa Bulletin – March 2017
The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.
Click here to view the March 2017 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).
USCIS Implementation of Jan. 27 Executive Order (Travel Ban)
USCIS is alerting stakeholders that they will continue to process:
- Applications and petitions filed for or on behalf of individuals in the United States regardless of their country of origin.
- Applications and petitions of lawful permanent residents outside the U.S. USCIS also continues to adjudicate applications and petitions for individuals outside the U.S. whose approval does not directly confer travel authorization.
MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
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, February 17, 2017. Act now and submit your questions!
DHS Statement on Compliance with Recent Court Order
U.S. District Court Judge James Robart issued a ruling Friday, effectively halting Trump’s executive order, the so called Travel Ban!
In accordance with U.S. District Court Judge James Robart ruling on Friday, February 3rd, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended any and all actions implementing the affected sections of the Executive Order entitled, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” This includes all actions subject to this Executive Order. DHS will resume normal inspection of travelers under their standard policies and procedures.
The Department of Justice has filed for an emergency stay with the ninth US circuit court of appeals and the court has already heard the case and is expected to rule soon.
Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Wisconsin, Wyoming & Washington, D.C.
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; Wisconsin, Wyoming & Washington, D.C..
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.
MVP Immigration Newsletter – January 2017
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 – January 2017
Follow link to join: Join our mailing list!