News & Analysis as of September 20, 2024

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services › Expedited Actions Process

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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a federal agency under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. The USCIS performs a broad variety of administrative functions, including processing visa and naturalization petitions, as well as applications for asylum and refugee status. less -

U.S. Immigration Service Opens H-1B Registration, With Two Key Changes

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP on 3/8/2024

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap. The H-1B program allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in...more

USCIS Expands Premium Processing to Include Form I-539 Applications to Change Status to F, M, or J Status

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 6/20/2023

On June 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an expansion of premium processing service for applicants filing Form I-539 to change their status to F, M, or J status. The initiative is part of...more

USCIS Proposes Historic Fee Increase for Immigration Applicants

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP on 5/1/2023

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed historic increases to its fee schedule for immigration benefit applications. Under the proposed fee rule, the filing fee for common employment-based applications...more

Employment-Based Immigration Updates for 2023

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 1/27/2023

As we move deeper into the new year, the U.S. government continues to try to resolve the challenges facing the immigration system due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting processing backlogs. These...more

Back to the Future: USCIS Resumes Expedited Processing of H-4 and L-2 Applications When Filed Concurrently with an H-1B or L-1...

BakerHostetler on 1/26/2023

In a settlement, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has agreed to return to processing dependent H-4 and L-2 applications at the same time as the H-1B or L-1 petition when filed concurrently. This...more

USCIS Expands Premium Processing to All EB-1 and EB-2 Classifications, Including New Petitions

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 1/24/2023

Beginning January 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers E-13 (EB-1C) multinational...more

USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion for EB-1 and EB-2 Petitions

Womble Bond Dickinson on 1/16/2023

On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced implementation of the final phase of premium processing expansion for employment-based first and second preference I-140 petitions. Beginning on...more

Possible Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment

Cozen O'Connor on 12/28/2022

On December 19, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released information regarding nonimmigrant workers whose employment is terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. USCIS indicated that...more

USCIS to Implement Phase Two of Premium Processing Expansion for Certain Previously Filed I-140 Petitions

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 7/19/2022

On May 24, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began implementing an expansion of the agency’s premium processing service for certain pending Form I-140 petitions. Specifically, the expansion of premium...more

USCIS Issues EAD Expedite Guidance for Health Care Workers

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP on 1/5/2022

Effective immediately, USCIS will consider requests to expedite processing of applications to renew Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for health care workers. ...more

ALERT! Expedited EADs for Healthcare Workers

Fox Rothschild LLP on 12/29/2021

USCIS issued new guidance today on expedited EADs for healthcare workers. Effective immediately, healthcare workers with pending Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications where the EAD expires in 30 days...more

DHS Issues New Policies On Expedited Processing, Requests For Evidence, And More

Jackson Lewis P.C. on 6/11/2021

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced several new USCIS policies meant to improve the legal immigration system, eliminate barriers, and reduce burdens on applicants...more

Trump Administration Suspends Fast-Tracked H-1B Visas

Burr & Forman on 3/9/2017

On March 3, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it would suspend premium processing, often referred to as fast tracking, for all H-1B petitions. The suspension takes effect on April...more

USCIS Suspends Premium Processing Service for H-1B Cases Effective April 3, 2017

Jackson Lewis P.C. on 3/7/2017

USCIS has announced the temporary suspension of the Premium Processing service for all H-1B cases filed on or after April 3, 2017. This suspension applies to all H-1B cases filed – including those filed under the FY2018...more

No PP for H-1B Cap Petitions: USCIS Suspends Premium Processing for ALL H-1B Petitions

Fox Rothschild LLP on 3/6/2017

On March 3, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions starting on April 3, 2017 until further notice. This suspension is...more

Even Bears Need Visas: Immigration Law Stalls Kiwi’s Dream of Playing American Football

Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP on 9/10/2015

New Zealander, Paul Lasike, always dreamed of playing American football. This 5’11”, 232 lb. Aukland native came to the United States on a scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he played rugby, but his heart was on...more

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United States Citizenship and Immigration Services › Expedited Actions Process

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