H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

February 22, 2024

AAO Processing Times – FY 2024 1st Quarter

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) provides an updated ‘processing times’ in table form, with information on FY2024 first quarterly completions; October 2023 to December 2023. These figures indicate the time that it takes from the date the case is received at AAO coming from the Service Center or District Office to completion.

AAO Processing Times were released with processing dates as of 1/19/24. If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Note: Starting with the January 2017 Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times Report, the AAO has changed how it presents processing time data. The AAO will now provide, by form type, the total number of case completions for the fiscal year quarter and the percentage completed within 180 days, cases completed divided by their projected case goal.

February 21, 2024

Update – 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

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

February 20, 2024

Reminder – USCIS Webinar – FY 2025 H-1B Electronic Registration Process (2/21/24)

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar, “FY 2025 H-1B Electronic Registration Process” on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, between 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm (Eastern).

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

Share updates on changes to the FY 2025 H-1B electronic registration process;

February 16, 2024

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – 2/16/24

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.

1.When will the Registration period open for the H-1B CAP for FY2025? March 6, 2024 at noon (est.) and it will close on March 22, 2024 at noon (est.).

2. Who may submit an H-1B CAP registration? A U.S. employer (Petitioner) and their Representatives (Attorney).

February 14, 2024

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

by Kellie N. Lego

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;