Immigration News

February 16, 2017

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

February 9, 2017

DHS Statement on Compliance with Recent Court Order

by Kellie N. Lego

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 3^rd, 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.

February 8, 2017

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Wisconsin, Wyoming & Washington, D.C.

by Kellie N. Lego

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.

February 2, 2017

USCIS updated FY2016 Performance Data – USCIS Victims of Crime Form I-918 (U Visa) (Qtr. #4)

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS has released their fourth quarter, Fiscal Year 2016 (FY2016) performance data for USCIS Victims of Crime Form I-918 (U Visa) as a statistical table. They have divided the forms by category: Victims of Criminal Activities, Family Members, and Total as the rows. The columns are divided by case status: Petitions Received, Approved, Denied, and Pending. These updated FY2016 statistics (fourth quarter) cover July 2016 through September 2016. For further details please review the USCIS Table, “USCIS Victims of Crime Form I-918 (U Visa) (Fiscal Year 2016, 4th Qtr)“.

Note: This Table includes statistics for FY2009 through FY2016, with FY2016 broken down by quarters.

Source of Information:

February 1, 2017

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Virginia, Washington & West Virginia

by Kellie N. Lego

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; Virginia, Washington & West Virginia.

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.

January 27, 2017

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Texas, Utah & Vermont

by Kellie N. Lego

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; Texas, Utah & Vermont.

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.

January 17, 2017

USCIS Now Uses Specific Dates to Show Case Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Starting on January 4^th, USCIS will start using a specific date format rather than weeks or months for their updated Service Center Processing Time Reports which are published monthly. They are trying to make the reports more specific and more understandable. MVP Law Group publishes a monthly blog entitled; “Updated Service Center Processing Times” that includes links to the USCIS Processing Time Information for each of the different Service Centers.

Other helpful links to related USCIS information and services:

Check your case status and sign up for automatic case updates

January 12, 2017

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – Oregon, Pennsylvania & Rhode Island

by Kellie N. Lego

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; Oregon, Pennsylvania & Rhode Island.

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.

January 4, 2017

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – South Carolina, South Dakota & Tennessee

by Kellie N. Lego

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; South Carolina, South Dakota & Tennessee.

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.

December 22, 2016

Reminder – USCIS Immigration Filing Fees to Increase

by Kellie N. Lego

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