Immigration News

October 10, 2013

Police arrest 8 House members at immigration rally in DC

A large Immigration Rally was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 seeking to push the House Republicans to hold a vote on the stalled immigration reform bill. A rally and concert were held on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol. When members of the rally started blocking the main street in front of the Capital over (200) were arrested! Among those arrested were (8) members of the U.S. House of Representatives, which I have listed below.

Congressman, John Lewis of Georgia (D)

Congressman, Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois (D)

October 8, 2013

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times – 10/1/13

by Kellie N. Lego

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of October 1, 2013.

If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Administrative Appeals Office

October 7, 2013

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, October 11, 2013

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, October 11, 2013. Act now and submit your questions!

October 4, 2013

E-Verify is UNAVAILABLE due to the Federal Government Shutdown

by Kellie N. Lego

E-Verify, the Internet-based system that employers use to check whether job applicants may legally work in the U.S. is currently unavailable due to a Federal Government shutdown. You will not be able to access your E-Verify account!

E-Verify Customer Support and any related services are also closed.

Which includes the following:

October 2, 2013

What Happens During a Government Shutdown (Updated 10/1/13)

by Kellie N. Lego

What happens during a government shutdown? The simple answer is it varies by agency! The federal government shutdown is officially underway as of 12:01 am, October 1, 2013. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has put together an updated list of what to expect from the federal government agencies involved in the immigration system! Below is an excerpt from AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 11040730 (posted Oct. 1, 2013).

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CIS Ombudsman: The CIS Ombudsman’s Office will be closed and will not be accepting any inquiries through their online case intake system.

September 30, 2013

What Happens If the Government Shuts Down? – Updated 9/30/13

by Kellie N. Lego

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has requested information from the federal government agencies involved in the immigration system for updates on their contingency plans in case of a government shutdown. A possible government shutdown could happen as early as October 1, 2013, the beginning of the new fiscal year 2014 (FY2014). AILA has reported that they have not received any updated information at this time. They suggested reviewing the shutdown plans for the last threatened federal government shutdown, which was in 2011.

Below is an excerpt from MVP Law Group’s original blog post on the subject dated (4/8/11).

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September 27, 2013

MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, September 27, 2013

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

Question #1– H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa

I have an H-1B application pending since April 2013, CAP case, no RFE issued yet. Can I contact USCIS and make a service request for them to look further into the case and why it is taking so long? Filed at Vermont.

September 26, 2013

Employment-Based Quota Limit Reached for FY2013

by Kellie N. Lego

The State Department has confirmed that employment annual limits have been reached, as is often the case at the end of a fiscal year.

USCIS will continue to process pending adjustment cases, and is able to submit visa number requests for all cases which are being finalized. The State Department will place requests in a “Pending Demand” file.

Eligible cases which have been submitted to the State Department that are within the October cut-off dates will be automatically authorized effective October 1, 2013.

September 26, 2013

DACA Report released by the Center for American Progress

by Kellie N. Lego

On Friday, September 20, 2013, the Center for American Progress released a report on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The report entitled “Undocumented No More” is a nationwide analysis of DACA’s implementation over the last year. The (51) page report has many great sections, from summarizing DACA to how the different regions of the country have implemented it and how that has caused differences. The report has a section entitled;” The gendered dimensions of DACA” which examines how DACA is being implemented across gender lines, which is not something that we have seen discussed before and is very interesting. We encourage you to read the report.

The Center for American Progress describes itself is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action. The Center which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. is a Public Policy Think Tank!

Source of Information:

September 24, 2013

USCIS Announces FY 2013 Grants

by Kellie N. Lego

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they have awarded nearly $9.9 million in grants to qualified organizations serving immigrants. These grants will be used by 40 organizations from 21 states to help prepare legal permanent residents (LPR) for U.S. citizenship.

The News Release stated, “Under this year’s program, grant recipients will offer citizenship instruction to prepare permanent residents for the civics and English components of the naturalization test, and naturalization application services within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law. The period of performance for the grants is two years.”

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas stated, “This funding will help thousands of permanent residents gain the support they need to learn English and civics, and embrace the important rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship.” For more detailed information please review the USCIS News Release listed below.