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USCIS Fee Increases Challenged; New Forms Expected

By Aimee Guthat on September 2, 2020

Posted in Asylum / Refugee, Citizenship, E-1 / E-2, Immigration Litigation, L-1A / L-1B, O-1, TN / NAFTA, Trump Administration, USCIS

Advocacy groups have filed suits challenging the USCIS fee increases scheduled to take effect on October 2, 2020.

The fee increases are not equal across the board. Certain types of business immigration petitions have been targeted for large percentage fee increases: 51% for TNs and E visas, 75% for L petitions, and 53% for O…

New Filing Fees Effective October 2

By Maggie Murphy on August 4, 2020

Posted in Citizenship, COVID-19, DAPA / DACA, EADs, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, L-1A / L-1B, O-1, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, TN / NAFTA, Trump Administration, USCIS

New USCIS filing fees will go into effect on October 2, 2020, under a new final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Federal Register on August 3, 2020. This rule raises fees by a weighted average of 20% and changes the current fee structure to impose specific fees per…

USCIS Experiences Revenue Decline, Asks Congress for Loan of $1.2 Billion

By Rajula Sati on May 21, 2020

Posted in Asylum / Refugee, COVID-19, DAPA / DACA, Fees and Penalties, H-1B, L-1A / L-1B, O-1, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, Trump Administration, USCIS

USCIS has announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has suffered a steep decrease in revenue and, without assistance, might run out of funding this summer. The agency has asked Congress for $1.2 billion in emergency relief (as a loan) along with a 10% COVID-19 surcharge (to repay the loan) on top of a…

USCIS Announces Expanded Premium Processing Suspension, Acceptance of Non-Original Signatures

By Forrest G. Read IV on March 20, 2020

Posted in COVID-19, E-1 / E-2, EB-1, H-1B, Immigrant Petitions, L-1A / L-1B, O-1, P-1, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, TN / NAFTA, USCIS

Due to COVID-19, USCIS announced that as of March 20, 2020, it is immediately suspending premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice. USCIS also said that petitioners that have already filed a form requesting premium processing will receive refunds if their cases are not acted on within the 15…

Growing USCIS Processing Backlog Continues into New Year

By Sean G. Hanagan on January 3, 2020

Posted in EB-1, Green Cards, H-1B, Immigrant Petitions, L-1A / L-1B, O-1, USCIS

USCIS is starting the year with a growing backlog of processing delays.

In May 2019, a bi-partisan group of Senators wrote to USCIS requesting information on why the service-oriented agency adjudicating immigration benefits, such as work authorization, is disrupting American businesses through administrative inefficiencies.

Here are some of the facts:

For FY 2018, the

…

Goal of Establishing Merit-Based Immigration System Undermined by Visa Hurdles

By Nadine T. Trinh on September 16, 2019

Posted in EB-1, Green Cards, Immigration Litigation, O-1, Trump Administration, USCIS

The Trump Administration has indicated it wants to establish a merit-based immigration system focusing on bringing more high-skilled workers to the United States. According to one Administration official, the aim is to attract “individuals who provide a cure for cancer or build that first subdivision on Mars.” Yet, it is becoming harder to obtain visas…

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