For the past two years, immigration law officials have suspended premium processing for new H-1B visa petitions to make the workload more manageable. However, USCIS has recently announced that expedited service will be available to new applicants filing in the FY2020 lottery, as well as those petitioning for a change in status. To effectively manage the influx of petitions, USCIS will be instituting a two-phase system, beginning on April 1, 2019.
In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to refugees from South Sudan, due to the armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions ravaging the country. Because those dangers have not subsided, on March 8 immigration law officials announced an 18-month extension of its TPS designation, which was scheduled to end in early May. Any beneficiaries who wish to take advantage of this extension must re-register with United States Citizens and Immigration Services.
Failing to maintain the conditions of your visa, being convicted of a crime, or being undocumented can put immigrants at risk of deportation. When detained by ICE, many immigrants and their families have no idea what to expect, how long the process might take, or whether they should consult with an immigration attorney. The laws about this topic are subject to change. An attorney can help you stay up to date, but here’s a general primer that may be helpful.
The Department of State recently released its updated visa bulletin for August of 2019, which includes new final action and application filing dates for green card petitioners. If you have submitted a petition on behalf of someone else or plan to petition for permanent residency, it’s important to monitor these announcements and have your documentation ready for your immigration attorney. Below is an overview of this month’s visa bulletin.