H1B Visa Lawyer BlogINFORMATION SOURCE – USCIS
USCIS Reaches FY 2015 H-1B Cap
Release Date: April 10, 2014
Articles Posted in Immigration News
Updated Service Center Processing Times
Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 3/18/14 with processing dates as of 1/31/14.
If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.
Affordable Care Act Update: Helpful Hints about Immigration Status
How does your immigration status affect your eligibility for health care benefits under the
Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Not Sure? USCIS has put together a list of helpful links from www.healthcare.gov website that may help you.
The www.healthcare.gov website includes some helpful resources and they are listed below:
Customer Service Tools Outage ALERT – 3/19/14
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have alerted Web Users that some of their online customer service tools will not be available Wednesday, March 19 from 9-11 p.m. EST. They will be conducting maintenance on that part of their online system.
The following online tools will not be available on Wednesday, March 19 from 9-11 p.m. EST:
• Check My Case Status • e-Request • e-Filing • Change of Address Online • Check Processing Times • Civil Surgeon Locator
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated FY2014 Statistics (First Quarter)
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2014 statistics (first quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2014 statistics (first quarter) cover October 2013 through December 2013.
The link to each program factsheet is listed below:
• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2014 (first quarter)
USCIS Introduces e-Request, an Enhanced Online Customer Service Tool
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they have updated and streamlined e-Request. E-Request is a USCIS online customer service inquiry tool which allows an individual to quickly select and submit an online request to USCIS for the following instances listed below:
Case Inquiry
• Case outside of normal processing time (longer than expected)
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated FY2013 Statistics
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2013 statistics in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2013 statistics cover October 2012 through September 2013.
The link to each program factsheet is listed below:
• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2013
Updated Service Center Processing Times
Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 2/18/14 with processing dates as of 12/31/13.
If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.
NJ woman admits to immigration fraud! – BEWARE OF NOTARIOS
An Elizabeth, NJ woman, Maritza Chavez, advertised herself to the general public as an Immigration Lawyer. Chavez created a company to help immigrants obtain U.S. citizenship. After a thorough investigation, it was made clear that Chavez was not a Lawyer and her company only helped her to take money from her immigrant customers.
In the course of her business, Chavez would submit citizenship applications with the USCIS that were improperly completed, and/or were filed without the required filing fee. When the applications were rejected and ultimately returned to her with a refund, Chavez would illegally keep the money. When clients called Chavez for an update, she would blatantly lie to them.
As part of a plea agreement, Chavez could be sentenced up to 10 years and required to pay over $100,000 in restitution. Chavez will be sentenced by Judge Robert Mega, NJ Superior Court on March 14, 2014. For more details please review the news articles listed below.
USCIS Launches Redesigned Interactive Voice Response System
On February 1st, the USCIS launched a newly redesigned Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. When calling the USCIS toll-free National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283), you will hear a new series of interactive messages to help streamline your access to immigration information, case status, and customer service representatives. This system redesign is in response to USCIS customer feedback, so your feedback is important!
This IVR system will be available 24/7, with live assistance available Monday through Friday (8:00am to 8:00pm) within the continental United States. You can find more information on USCIS’ customer service options on their website!
Source of Information: