H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

September 20, 2024

USCIS to Celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) celebrated the 237th Constitution and Citizenship Day by welcoming over 17,000 new citizens in 400 naturalization ceremonies across the United States.

USCIS Director, Ur M. Jaddou stated, “We continue to work in communities to raise awareness about citizenship in line with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect, and Constitution Week provides the opportunity to highlight this mission,”

Please view this USCIS News Release for more details: USCIS to Celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

September 19, 2024

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals

by Kellie N. Lego

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective September 10th they have automatically extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards often called a “Green Card”, from 24 months to 36 months! Lawful permanent residents (LPR) who filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card will receive the extension.

For more detailed information about this subject please review the USCIS News Alert, “USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals“!

Source of Information:

September 18, 2024

An American Story: Everyone’s Invited – Wilmer Valderrama’s Memoir!

by Kellie N. Lego

Wilmer Valderrama has written a new book, “An American Story: Everyone’s Invited“! At 18, he played the Fez character on the TV Show, “That ’70s Show” And is now starring on NCIS! This article is his interview about his new book, immigration, fatherhood and more! Now at 44, he reflects back on his life’s journey so far and the world around him.

Wilmer stated, “Because as a Latino and as a brown person, our dream is to be for the world and to be treated and accepted equally as a contributing member of whatever team, company, show you’re in.”! This is an interesting interview and looks like an interesting book too. Please review the USA Today book article and interview, “Wilmer Valderrama reflects on Fez character, immigration, fatherhood in new memoir“.

Source of Information:

September 17, 2024

Immigrants in each State (fact sheets): Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky – 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; Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky!

September 16, 2024

Update – Visa Bulletin – October 2024

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the October 2024 Visa Bulletin

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

September 13, 2024

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – 9/13/24

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.

Is there a limit to how many beneficiaries I can sponsor through the Parole program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals? There is no set limit to how many beneficiaries you can sponsor through the CHNV parole program. Please note that you must be able to establish to the USCIS that you can support your household along with each sponsored beneficiary at 100% of the poverty guidelines. By completing each Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, you agree to financially provide the beneficiary with support for the duration of their parole in the United States.
I am a current DACA recipient with my expiration date coming up around election time, can I still continue to renew my status? Yes, as long as you continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements including not departing the United States on or after August 15, 2012 without first securing Advance Parole; and have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. If you meet all of the eligibility criteria, you should apply ASAP if you have not already submitted your DACA renewal application.

September 12, 2024

Visa Bulletin – October 2024

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the October 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).

September 10, 2024

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/3/24

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 2025 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/3/24); 20,642 beneficiaries have been approved and 8,206 are pending for a total of 28,848.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2025 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/3/24); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

September 9, 2024

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, September 13, 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, September 13, 2024. Act now and submit your questions!

September 6, 2024

AAO Processing Times – FY 2024 3rd Quarter

by Kellie N. Lego

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) provides an updated ‘processing times’ in table form, with information on FY2024 third quarterly completions; April 2024 to June 2024. 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 7/16/24. 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.