CORONAVIRUS ANNOUNCEMENT Recent Blog Entries USCIS Adjusts Fees Effective October 2, 2020 Global Entry Program and other Trusted Traveler Programs No Longer Eligible for New Yorkers USCIS Implementing Electronic Registration Process for H-1B Cap 2021

Immigration Law Blog Name *   Email *   Phone *   Question or Comments Submit Friday, April 26, 2019 CBP Announces New Alphanumeric Format for I-94 Numbers U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) announced that I-94 numbers will become alphanumeric effective May 2019 and that in replacement of the 11-digit numerical format, the new format will now have 9 digits with a letter in the 10th position and a digit in the 11th position. CBP further provided that I-94 records that have not expired and were issued with the current numeric-only format will continue to be valid until the "Admit Until Date" reflected on the paper I-94 record (in passports) or on the electronic version found on CBP's I-94 website.  For more information on this CBP alert and additional I-94 matters, please visit  https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94. Permalink Subscribe via Email Subscribe via RSS Previous Posts USCIS Adjusts Fees Effective October 2, 2020 Global Entry Program and other Trusted Traveler Programs No Longer Eligible for New Yorkers USCIS Implementing Electronic Registration Process for H-1B Cap 2021 Public Charge Ground of Admissibility Postponed USCIS Proposes H-1B Electronic Registration Fee Rule USCIS Expands New Fee Payment System to New York and other Field Offices Data Entry for Fiscal Year 2020 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Completed USCIS will Transfer Interview Cases Outside Normal Jurisdiction to Decrease Processing Times Social Media Identifiers to be Collected from U.S. Visa Applicants USCIS to Reject I-129 Petitions Lacking Applicant or Petitioner Primary U.S. office address Blog Categories Deportation Employment Authorization Immigrant Visas Immigration Lawful Permanent Residence Non-Immigrant Visas U.S. Citizenship Blog Links Archived Posts 2020 July USCIS Adjusts Fees Effective October 2, 2020 February Global Entry Program and other Trusted Traveler Programs No Longer Eligible for New Yorkers 2019 December USCIS Implementing Electronic Registration Process for H-1B Cap 2021 October Public Charge Ground of Admissibility Postponed September USCIS Proposes H-1B Electronic Registration Fee Rule June USCIS Expands New Fee Payment System to New York and other Field Offices Data Entry for Fiscal Year 2020 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Completed USCIS will Transfer Interview Cases Outside Normal Jurisdiction to Decrease Processing Times Social Media Identifiers to be Collected from U.S. Visa Applicants USCIS to Reject I-129 Petitions Lacking Applicant or Petitioner Primary U.S. office address USCIS Begins Premium Processing for Remaining FY 2020 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions on June 10, 2019 USCIS Announces New eProcessing Strategy to Enable Expansion of Online Filing April CBP Announces New Alphanumeric Format for I-94 Numbers Immigration for Athletes Options for Soon-To-Be Married Immigrants March Common Ways Employers Violate the Immigration and Nationality Act What is the National Interest Waiver? USCIS Reinstates Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions What is the Board of Immigration Appeals? February The Basics of Naturalization Premium Processing Resumed for H-1B Petitions Filed on or before Dec. 21, 2018 Gaining Citizenship Through Your Parents or Birth An Overview of the Citizenship Test January DHS Announces Final Rule for H-1B Program What is the Board of Immigration Appeals Tips for the Immigration Interview Deportation: Extreme Hardship and the 601 Waiver 2018 December USCIS Expands Information Services Modernization Program to Key Field Offices Master Calendar Hearings Should Employers Enroll in E-Verify? Pros and Cons Form I-9 Inspections November 5 Myths about Immigrants Sponsoring a Family Member for Immigration When Will an Immigrant Be Barred from Entry Because of a Connection to Terrorism? October Divorce after Immigration Proceedings USCIS Updates Policy Manual for Submitting Form I-693 Do Restrictive Immigration Laws Drive Undocumented Immigrants Out of America? Adopting Internationally? Immigration Issues to Consider September USCIS to Begin Implementing New PM on NTAs on October 1, 2018 The Fiancé Visa: The Basics USCIS Expands Suspension Of H-1B Premium Processing In Order To Reduce Delays An Overview of Illegal Reentry in the United States Felonies and Immigration Status August How to Get A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver Criminal Charges and How they Affect Non-Citizens July USCIS Updates Standards for Issuance of Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny Petitions Revised Guidance for Case Referrals and Issued Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Matters where Aliens are Inadmissible & Deportable June USCIS extends validity of permanent resident status to 1.5 years (previously 1 year) after filing I-751 or I-829 ICE Civil Enforcement Priorities: What Does it Mean for Deportations? May Accrual of Unlawful Presence by Exchange Visitors & Nonimmigrant Students - USCIS Changes Policy USCIS Implementing More Secure Mail Delivery Service April Employers and Immigration Compliance: What You Need to Know Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Lottery Complete March Scheduling an InfoPass Appointment to Inquire About Your Immigration Case February How to Get Your School “I-20 Certified" January I Have a Green Card…and a Criminal Conviction: Can I Travel Abroad? 2017 December USCIS clarifies its position with respect to TN nonimmigrants employed as “Economists” Types of Legal Entry into the United States November Dual Citizenship October Updated USCIS Policy Guidance Eliminates “Deference” Given To Prior Determinations Of Eligibility When Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Extension Petitions Do Local Police Have to Detain Illegal Immigrants? UPDATE: USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for All Applicants Seeking H-1B Visas September Differences Between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas Department Of State Issues Notice of Registration for the 2019 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program USCIS Is Now Denying Pending Forms I-131 for Abandonment Due to International Travel USCIS to Expand In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants August Client Alert: Green Card Applicants: USCIS Is Denying Pending Forms I-131 for Abandonment Due to International Travel Studying in the United States July The Two Paths to Asylum June Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants May Update on Immigration News April President Trump Signs “Buy American and Hire American” Executive Order USCIS Announces Completion of FY 2018 H-1B Cap Selection Process DOL Announces Efforts Aimed at “Protecting American Workers from H-1B Program Discrimination” “Computer Programmers” may no longer be eligible for H-1B visas March USCIS Will Temporarily Suspended Premium Processing For All H-1B Petitions, Effective April 3, 2017 February U.S. Department of State Provisionally Revokes all Valid Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas for Nationals of Countries Affected by Recent Executive Order January President Trump Signs Executive Order on Friday, January 27, 2017 Instituting a Travel Ban for Nationals of Certain Countries Driving Privileges for Undocumented Immigrants 2016 December Reporting Unprofessional Conduct by Customs and Border Control Officers The Effects of a Contagious Disease on Immigration November USCIS Publishes Final Rule For Certain Employment-Based Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Programs What are the restrictions on an H2A visa? October What Do I Have to Study for My Citizenship Test? 2018 Diversity Visa Lottery Immigrant Visa Program Accepting Applications from Tuesday October 4, 2016 through Monday November 7, 2016 September What Documents Do I Need to Travel Outside the United States? August Refugee Status in the United States Deadline to Submit Applications to Add 7 Months to a 17-Month STEM OPT Extension is August 8, 2016 July Immigration Issues in Intercounty Adoption June What Rights Do Undocumented Citizens Have in the United States? May USCIS Now Allowing Employers to Submit Inquiries if their Extension of Status/Change of Employer Petition has been Pending for 210 Days or More All Visa-Exempt Foreign Nationals Visas Must Now Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Entry Into Canada An Overview of Non-Immigrant Visas USCIS Completes Data Entry of Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions New STEM OPT Regulations in Effect as of May 10, 2016 April Obtaining U.S. Citizenship Through a Grandparent March DHS Announces Final Rule on STEM OPT Employment Authorization February If My Spouse is in the United States Legally, Can I Enter As Well? January Changes to Visa Waiver Program starting January 21, 2016 affecting Dual Nationals of Iraq, Iran, Syria, or Sudan and anyone who has traveled to one of these countries since March 1, 2011 Entrepreneurial Immigrants: Building the American Dream 2015 December Overview of the Diversity Visa Program November Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals October 2017 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 1, 2015 September How do I become a citizen if I have a green card? August Does Submitting Multiple Applications Improve Your Odds of Winning the H1B Lottery? June Immigration Bonds May USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing H-1B Extension Petitions April Effects of a Lay-Off on Employment-Sponsored Visa February Eligibility for Employment Authorization Granted to Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses of H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers President Obama's Executive Action 2014 2014 September 2016 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 1, 2014 The O Visa: Entering the U.S. on the Basis of Extraordinary Ability August Refugees & Asylum July Extreme Hardship Waivers: When Can They Assist in Overcoming Immigration Challenges? Exceptions to the US Entrance Visa Requirements June H-1B Visa Program Basics May Immigration Lotteries and Visa Caps in the United States March USCIS H1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 To Be Accepted Beginning April 1, 2014 – Yearly Quota Expected To Be Reached Within First Week The R Visa: A Non-Immigrant Visa for Religious Workers February American Immigration Laws and Humanitarian Parole 2013 December Appealing a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Decision November Immigration Process for a Foreign National Residing Abroad When Marrying a U.S. Citizen October Employment in the U.S. September I-94 Automation 2015 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 1, 2013 DS-260 – New Online Immigrant Visa Application Process Scheduling an InfoPass Appointment to Inquire About Your Immigration Case August Types of Legal Entry into the United States July Differences Between Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas May Non-Immigrant Visas