H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

January 20, 2017

MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

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 – Adjustment of Status (AOS)

If I just applied for my Green Card, can I travel back home to visit my family while the I-485 is pending?

January 19, 2017

MVP Immigration Newsletter – December 2016

by Kellie N. Lego

Once a month, MVP Law Groups’ Managing Attorney, Kellie N. Lego publishes an electronic Immigration Newsletter. This emailed newsletter features current articles, relevant data and up-to-date information about U.S. Immigration. We invite you to join our mailing list.

Current Newsletter: MVP Immigration Newsletter – December 2016

Follow link to join: Join our mailing list!

January 18, 2017

Updated Service Center Processing Times (10/31/16) *Using New Specific Date Format

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 12/29/16 with processing dates as of 10/31/16.

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.

California Service Center (CSC)

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 16, 2017

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

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, January 20, 2017. Act now and submit your questions!

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 11, 2017

Visa Bulletin – February 2017

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click here to view the February 2017 Visa Bulletin

The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).

January 10, 2017

Updated Service Center Processing Times (10/31/16)

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 12/29/16 with processing dates as of 10/31/16.

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.

California Service Center (CSC)

January 9, 2017

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 12/19/16

by Kellie N. Lego

The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. There is a cap limit of 33,000 for the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for the second half for a total of 66,000 per year. If the cap is not reached during the first half of the fiscal year, the extra numbers are then made available for the second half.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2017 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (12/19/16); 17,003 beneficiaries have been approved and 4,250 are pending for a total of 21,253.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2017 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (12/19/16); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

January 6, 2017

MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017

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 – Affidavit of Support

What is an Affidavit of Support?