In an effort to address the ongoing Employment Authorization Document (more commonly known as an “EAD”) processing backlog, USCIS recently announced it would lengthen the maximum validity period for certain EAD categories to...more
Each month, federal immigration authorities publish a list of dates informing immigrant visa applicants when they should expect to be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to government officials. This...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued helpful guidance (available here and here) on how to apply for employment authorization documents based on compelling circumstances. When a foreign national applies...more
The final phase of the green card application involves an Adjustment of Status (AOS). While their AOS is pending, applicants cannot leave the US without permission, a document called Advance Parole....more
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ May 2023 Visa Bulletin shows a trend of backlogs and slowdowns in the employment-based immigrant visa or green card process. The final action dates for multiple...more
On March 31, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had removed the requirement that a civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination...more
It is no secret that certain sectors of U.S. employers have engaged in significant layoffs over the last six months. Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—laid off more than 11,000 employees in November...more
People always say that a new year brings new adventures, new hope and new resolutions. In the immigration world, a new year can bring us a new version of immigration forms, new filing requirements and even more. In January...more
Attainment of an immigrant visa - colloquially known as a “Green Card” - is the ultimate goal for many foreign nationals temporarily residing in the U.S. Having a green card means finally doing away with frequent visa...more
Employers have reason to be thankful as federal immigration officials have taken steps in recent days to improve processing times for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for green card applicants. Fisher Phillips...more
On January 31, 2020, the President signed a Proclamation imposing visa and admission restrictions on Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and Myanmar (Burma). Restrictions for these countries are limited to immigrant...more
On January 31, 2020, the Trump administration expanded the list of countries affected by Presidential Proclamation 9645, more commonly referred to as “Travel Ban 3.0.” Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan, and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. District Court in New York issued a nationwide injunction blocking the implementation of USCIS’ final rule on inadmissibility on public charge grounds, which rule resulted in significant changes to...more
1. Process to Abandon Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card) streamlined - Instead of requiring an in-person appointment at the U.S. consulate or U.S. embassy abroad, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) of the United...more
USCIS has recently enacted two policy changes in regards to permanent residency applicants applying for Adjustment of Status (AOS). These changes impact applications for Advance Parole Travel Authorization (AP) as well as...more
Government Confirms New Guidelines -- Interview Requirement for Those Seeking Permanent Residence - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued a Press Release, which confirms the implementation of a new policy...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that, effective October 1, 2017, it will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applications that currently do not require...more
On August 28, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency responsible for adjudicating immigration benefits, announced that it will begin expanding the...more
Advance Parole allows an individual to travel internationally during the pendency of an adjustment of status (AOS) application. Those individuals who hold a valid H or L visa also have the option of using that visa to travel...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has announced that effective October 1, 2017, applicants for “adjustment of status” (the last step in the “green card” process) based on employment sponsorship and for...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: This Management Alert addresses Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from employers and foreign nationals regarding President Trump’s recent Executive Order on immigration....more
Considerações estratégicas para profissionais e donos de empresas que desejam imigrar para os Estados Unidos. Descrição geral - Sou um advogado americano e concluí os cursos de espanhol e português na Academia...more
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has again revised its procedures for determining whether foreign national applicants waiting to file their employment-based or family-sponsored preference...more
In accordance with significant procedural revisions announced in September and implemented by the Department of State (DOS) with the publication of the revised October 2015 Visa Bulletin, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration...more
On October 1, 2015, the US Department of State will begin accepting requests to register for the 2017 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2017), also known as the Green Card Lottery. The Diversity Lottery Program provides a...more