USCIS announced today that we will consider two-year extensions of the initial parole period on a case-by-case basis for certain Afghan nationals who: Were paroled into the United States between July 30, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022, with an OAR or PAR class of admission; Were under 14 years old as of Sept. 26, 2023;[Read More]
News and Alerts
State Department plans to implement Pilot Program to Resume Renewal of H-1B Visa in the United States
Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of State (DOS) has initiated a rule-making process for the visa renewal within U.S. DOS’s draft Federal Register notice, “Pilot Program to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens,” is currently under review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), a division[Read More]
USCIS Issues New Instructions for Filing Asylum Applications with USCIS After EOIR Dismissal or Termination of Removal Proceedings
Washington, D.C., USCIS is issuing new instructions for asylum applications submitted by individuals whose removal proceedings were dismissed or terminated by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Effective Oct. 16, 2023, if EOIR dismissed or terminated your removal proceedings and you choose to pursue a claim for asylum, you must submit a current version[Read More]
USCIS Launches New Online Change of Address Tool
Washington, D.C. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched a new Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool to allow customers with pending applications, petitions, or requests to update their address with USCIS more easily. E-COA hope to improve the speed and efficiency of the process for USCIS customers to update their address with[Read More]
DHS Factsheet on Impact of a Government Shutdown on the DHS Workforce
Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a factsheet outlining the impact of a government shutdown on the DHS Work Force. The fact sheet reads, it is vitally important to fund and run the government to do their imporant works for the country, for the national security and for the American people.[Read More]
Designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system
Washington, D.C. Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, announced the designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). By November 30, 2023, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Israel to apply to travel[Read More]
Potential impacts of U.S. government shutdown on immigration matters
Washington, DC. It is more than likely that the U.S. government may shutdown due to the Congress’ failure to pass the government budget. To date, Congress has not passed, nor has President Biden signed, any of the 12 spending bills needed to keep the government open beyond the end of FY2023 on September 30, 2023.[Read More]
Avoid Scams, Fraud and Misconduct, and Immigration or Job Scams
If you suspect you are a victim of immigration fraud, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission or your state consumer protection office. U.S. government agencies, Federal Trade Comission (FTC), USCIS, IRS and others have guide as to how to avoid scams. FTC: Four Signs That It’s a Scam 1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an[Read More]
Canadian work permit for H-1B workers got exhausted in less than 48 hours!
Canada had recently annouced unrestricted work permit for 10,000 people in the U.S. on H-1B visa status. This could have provided a second option for H-1B holders in the U.S. to work or stay in Canada in case their H-1B runs out or they lose their job in U.S. Unfortunately that 10,000 quota run out[Read More]
DHS Rescinds Prior Administration’s Termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has anounced that it will cancel the prior Administration’s terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and will extend the TPS for these countries for 18 months. This policy change of the current administration was also transpired by the[Read More]