John Q Khosravi Law Firm

Please contact our office for more information:

John Q. Khosravi Immigration Law Firm (JQK Law Firm)

Website: JQKLaw.com

Email: info@jqklaw.com

Phone: (818) 934-1561

Skype: john.khosravi


Licensed to Practice in CA. Practice Focus on Federal Immigration Law. This Blog is Legal Advertisement.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Immigration Lawyers Podcast Episode 46


ILP Episode 45


Updated USCIS FOrms

From USCIS:

Good afternoon,
We recently updated the following forms:
For more information, please visit our Forms Updates page.

Monday, June 26, 2017

USCIS Introduces Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants

From USCIS:

Today we published the following news release, available here on our website.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders.
The revised version gives applicants better information to accurately complete Form I-485, including clear navigation to the parts of the form and isntructions that are relevant to the applicants’ specific situations. These updates should increase the efficiency of the adjudication process by reducing errors and requests for evidence.
Applicants living in the United States file Form I-485 to adjust their immigration status and become lawful permanent residents, which allows one to live and work permanently in the United States.  Adjusting status is a critical step for those seeking U.S. citizenship.
USCIS also revised the Form I-485 Supplement A and Form I-485 Supplement J (as well as each supplement’s instructions), to provide applicants with more detailed information about how to properly complete, file, and submit evidence if those supplements are applicable to their situation.
Beginning today, there will be a 60-day grace period during which USCIS will accept both the  01/17/17 and 06/26/17editions of Form I-485 and Supplement A and J. Beginning Aug. 25, USCIS will only accept the revised Form and Supplement A and J of Form I-485 and will no longer accept earlier versions of either form.
What’s New? USCIS improved Form I-485 to include:
  • Better flow and organization of questions to make it user-friendly for both the applicants and USCIS. In addition, readability has significantly improved due to new spacing, columns, flow, white space, and formatting.
  • The questions about biographic information (Form G-325A) so applicants will no longer need to file a separate form;
  • A list of 27 immigrant categories, which allows applicants to identify the specific immigrant category under which they are applying; and
  • A comprehensive, updated list of admissibility-related questions. The added questions to ensure USCIS officers have the necessary information to better assess the applicant’s admissibility and eligibility.
What Remains the Same
While both Form I-485 and its instructions may look different from earlier versions, the process for filing Form I-485 and Form I-485 Supplement A and Form I-485 Supplement J remains the same. Applicants must still submit their paper applications to the location listed in the form instructions.
Further information
Visit the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status  page and the Form I-485 Supplement A page for further information about the new forms and instructions.
Applicants can visit the USCIS Green Card Eligibility Categories page for information on eligibility requirements for each immigrant category.
All USCIS forms are free on our website at www.uscis.gov/forms.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@uscis). 

Friday, June 23, 2017

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization - Filing Locations Updated on Website

Dear Customers,



We have updated the N-400 filing locations on our website's N-400 page under the Where to File section to correct an error. If you properly filed an application from June 12-23 to the locations that were previously listed on this page, the processing of your application will not be affected. See a list of the updated filing locations at uscis.gov/n-400.

USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Physicians under the Conrad 30 Waiver Program

From USCIS:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that starting Monday, June 26, the agency will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers. The Conrad 30 program allows certain medical doctors to stay in the United States on a temporary visa after completing their medical training to work in rural and urban areas that have shortage of physicians.
“This program improves health care access for Americans living in underserved areas, and we are pleased to resume premium processing for these petitions,” said USCIS Acting Director James McCament.
Starting June 26, eligible petitioners for medical doctors seeking H-1B status under the Conrad 30 program, or through an interested government agency waiver, can file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Form I-907 can be filed together with an H-1B petition or separately for a pending H-1B petition.   
USCIS plans to resume premium processing of other H-1B petitions as workloads permit. We will make additional announcements with specific details related to when we will begin accepting premium processing for those petitions.   
Until then, premium processing remains temporarily suspended for all other H-1B petitions. USCIS will reject any Form I-907 filed for those petitions, and if the petitioner submitted one check combining the Form I-907 and Form I‑129 fees, USCIS will have to reject both forms.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@USCIS).

High Court Rules For Immigrant In Case Over Bad Atty

https://www.law360.com/immigration/articles/926691/breaking-high-court-rules-for-immigrant-in-case-over-bad-atty-advice?nl_pk=3d58be1d-130f-45ab-8328-a9ad142de766&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=immigration

Justices Say Citizenship Can't Be Lost For Immaterial Lies

https://www.law360.com/immigration/articles/931141/breaking-justices-say-citizenship-can-t-be-lost-for-immaterial-lies?nl_pk=3d58be1d-130f-45ab-8328-a9ad142de766&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=immigration

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

USCIS Form G-1145 Update Notice

Good afternoon,
We recently updated the following form:
For more information, please visit our Forms Updates page.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

USCIS EB-5 Policy Manual Update

The USCIS Policy Manual has been updated to provide further guidance regarding the job creation and capital at risk requirements for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, and Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. Volume 6 (Immigrants), Part G: Investors is effective on June 14, 2017. The Policy Alert is available here: 
• Volume 6 (Immigrants), Part G: Investors (Final date for comments: June 28, 2017)
A summary of new and updated policies for comment is available on the Policy Manual for Comment page.


USCIS Civics Test Study Tools Mobile App

From USCIS:

Our app, “USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools,” is now available on the iTunes and Google Play app stores. The app helps you prepare for the civics test during the naturalization interview. It also has a game to challenge your civics knowledge, reminder notifications, and review of past tests. You can also switch between English and Spanish.
Be sure you get our official app! Follow the links above or search for “USCIS" or "USCIS civics.” Then, check that USCIS is the developer.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Forms Updates I-508 & I-508F

From USCIS:


Forms Updates | USCIS

June 13, 2017

Update to Form I-508F, Request for Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities for French Nationals
New edition dated 05/26/17. Starting 08/14/2017, we will only accept the 05/26/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 03/31/15 edition.

Update to Form I-508, Request for Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
New edition dated 05/26/17. Starting 08/14/2017, we will only accept the 05/26/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 03/31/15 edition.
 
For more information visit our Forms Updates page

Monday, June 12, 2017

Episode 44: Visas, Unknowns, CBP Update, STAPLE Act, Field Offices & Concierge Legal Service (06/5-11/17)


Over 120K DACA Applicants Approved So Far This Year

https://www.law360.com/immigration/articles/933117/over-120k-daca-applicants-approved-so-far-this-year?nl_pk=3d58be1d-130f-45ab-8328-a9ad142de766&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=immigration

High Court Can't Rewrite Law To Fix Gender Disparity In Citizenship Transfers

https://www.law360.com/immigration/articles/897377/breaking-high-court-can-t-rewrite-law-to-fix-gender-disparity-in-citizenship-transfers?nl_pk=3d58be1d-130f-45ab-8328-a9ad142de766&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=immigration

Workload Transfer N-600k and N-400

From USCIS:

June 12, 2017
We began sending all of the following cases from the Nebraska Service Center to the Lockbox:
• N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 (Military applications only)
• N-400, Application for Naturalization (Military applications only)

Friday, June 9, 2017

Workload Transfer Update (I-129 & I-765)

From USCIS:

We transferred some of the following cases from the Nebraska Service Center to the California Service Center:

• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for petitioners requesting an Extension of Stay (EOS) for the H-1B classification
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filed together with Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for petitioners requesting an Extension of Stay (EOS) for an H-1B worker to continue with the same employer

https://www.uscis.gov/workload-transfers

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

CBP Deploys Biometric Exit Technology to Washington Dulles International Airport

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-deploys-biometric-exit-technology-washington-dulles

STEM Bill Introduced

Paulsen, Quigley Reintroduce Bipartisan Immigration Bill Encouraging American Innovation



Washington, D.C. – Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced the bipartisan Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s from Leaving the Economy (STAPLE) Act, which would exempt foreign-born individuals who have earned an American Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from the limits on the number of employment-based green cards and H-1B visas awarded annually.
“It is no surprise that the brightest minds from around the world come to the United States to pursue their advanced degrees, and we should be doing all we can to ensure students we educate and train here use what they’ve learned to contribute to the American economy,” said Congressman Paulsen. “With thousands of high-skilled jobs going unfilled, the STAPLE Act makes sure American companies are getting the talent they need. By stapling a green card or visa to their diplomas, these professionals can invent and innovate new discoveries that grow our economy.”  
“If we are serious about fostering innovation, spurring economic activity, and staying competitive in the global marketplace, we must encourage the brightest minds in the world to study, work, and stay in our communities,” said Congressman Quigley. “We cannot advance our technology or research if we continue sending foreign-born, but U.S. educated, students with advanced degrees away. I am proud to join Rep. Paulsen in re-introducing the STAPLE Act, which invests in our future by supporting STEM educated professionals that want to contribute to our economy and society.”
H-1B visas, also known as high-skilled visas, are subject to annual caps that are woefully short of the number necessary to fill high-skilled jobs. Since April 1 when the U.S. began accepting H-1B petitions, the U.S. has received 233,000 applications for these high-skilled visas. Only 65,000 will be available this year, meaning that applicants will be subject to a lottery where two-out-of-three applicants will be denied a visa.
Numerous studies have found that H-1B visas correspond with an increase in jobs for native citizens. For example, a 2011 American Enterprise Institute study found that “an additional 100 foreign-born workers in STEM fields with advanced degrees from U.S. universities is associated with an additional 262 jobs among U.S. natives.”
Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

Now Available Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview

From USCIS:

Today, we posted Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview, on our website. You can find both the form and its instructions at uscis.gov/g-1256.