H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

February 14, 2024

Completing an Unprecedented 10 Million Immigration Cases in Fiscal Year 2023, USCIS Reduced Its Backlog!

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed an unprecedented 10 million immigration cases in Fiscal Year 2023! USCIS has finally reduced its backlog of cases for the first time in a Decade or more. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou stated, “We’ve completed a record number of cases, responded to emerging crises around the globe with essential humanitarian relief, and applied innovative solutions to improve customer experience and reduce backlogs.”! For further details please review the USCIS News Release, “Completing an Unprecedented 10 Million Immigration Cases in Fiscal Year 2023, USCIS Reduced Its Backlog for the First Time in Over a Decade“.

Source of Information:

USCIS (USCIS.gov), 2/9/24, News Release:

February 13, 2024

Visa Bulletin – March 2024

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the March 2024 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).

February 12, 2024

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, February 16, 2024

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, February 16, 2024. Act now and submit your questions!

February 9, 2024

Immigrants in each State (fact sheets): New Jersey, New Mexico and New York – Update

by Kellie N. Lego

UPDATE: Explore American Immigration Council’ interactive map to get more comprehensive information on U.S. immigration data and its impact!

The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.

With national immigration policy being discussed, 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 AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; New Jersey, New Mexico and New York!

February 8, 2024

Alejandro Mayorkas: House Republicans fail to Impeach the Secretary of Homeland Security

by Kellie N. Lego

House Republicans who tried to impeach the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas have failed! The final vote in the House of Representatives was close, 216-214 against the impeachment. Only four Republicans voted with all the house Democrats! Border security is a top issue for the 2024 Presidential elections and Secretary Mayorkas is being blamed by Republicans backing Ex-President Trump for the border problems.

For further details please review the BBC News Article, “Alejandro Mayorkas: House Republicans fail to impeach US homeland security secretary“!

Source of Information:

February 7, 2024

USCIS Webinar – National Stakeholder Engagement on Afghan Parole Applications (3/20/24)

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar, “National Stakeholder Engagement on Afghan Parole Applications for Urgent Humanitarian Reasons or Significant Public Benefit” on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, between 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern).

The USCIS announcement states that during this webinar, USCIS representatives will cover:

General requirements and considerations when applying for parole under the Form I-131 application process;

February 5, 2024

Update – Visa Bulletin – February 2024

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the February 2024 Visa Bulletin

UPDATE: When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: February 2024

February 2, 2024

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – 2/2/24

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.

I would like to work part time 2-4 Saturdays or any off days during the week, is that possible on a concurrent visa? Yes, it is possible to work part time for a another H-1B employer through the filing of a concurrent H-1B petition. The part-time concurrent H-1B filing would need to be filed PRIOR to you starting the part-time employment. In order to ensure that you can successfully maintain your existing employment and the part-time concurrent employment, it is advisable that you schedule a consultation with an Immigration Lawyer at MVP Law Group.

What are hourly restrictions on this part-time job, I work full time 36-40 hours a week. There are no specific hourly restrictions on the part-time job other than it must be under 35 hours per week to be considered part-time. The Department of Labor provides the following, “the employer is required to pay the hourly wage to the worker for the part-time hours specified each week. If the I-129 specifies a range of hours for part-time employment, the employer is required to pay the worker at least the average number of hours normally worked, provided the average is within the range indicated. The worker should not be paid for fewer than the minimum number of hours indicated for the range of part-time employment.” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/68-h1b-fulltime-employee In order to ensure that you can successfully maintain your existing employment and the part-time concurrent employment, it is advisable that you schedule a consultation with an Immigration Lawyer at MVP Law Group.

February 1, 2024

Immigrants in each State (fact sheets): Nebraska, Nevada and New Hampshire – Update

by Kellie N. Lego

UPDATE: Explore American Immigration Council’ interactive map to get more comprehensive information on U.S. immigration data and its impact!

The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.

With national immigration policy being discussed, 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 AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Nebraska, Nevada and New Hampshire!

January 31, 2024

DHS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Syria

by Kellie N. Lego

On Friday, January 26, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that they were extending the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the country of Syria for 18 months, beginning on April 1, 2024 and ending on September 30, 2025! Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated, “We recognize the vulnerable status of Syrian nationals already present in the United States who cannot safely return home,”!

For further details please review the DHS Press Release, “Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status“

Background: