221(g) & Visa Refusal

The purpose of this blog post is to explain the common reason for visa application rejection under INA Section 221(g) and how it affects future visa applications. When an individual applies for an L-1, B-1, F-1, H-1B, or other nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. consulate abroad, it is not uncommon to be initially refused under…

Read More

Naturalization Test (Modified) Trial Run by USCIS

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is conducting a nationwide trial of updates to the naturalization test, which is taken by individuals seeking to become U.S. citizens. This trial is being conducted in response to an executive order issued by President Biden in February 2021, which directed the agency to promote and improve the…

Read More

I-94 Expiration: Review Your Date

It is important for individuals in nonimmigrant status to keep track of the expiration dates on their I-94 forms, as these documents reflect the length of time a person is permitted to stay in the United States. I-94 forms are issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry and can also…

Read More

Green Card Extension for Certain Naturalization Applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently updated its policy manual to allow a receipt for an application for naturalization (form N-400) to serve as a 24-month extension of the applicant’s green card (I-551). This change took effect on December 12, 2022, and applies to any N-400 application filed on or after that…

Read More

Vaccination Waiver for Immigration Medical Exam

At the time of filing of the immigrant visa at the US Consulate or an application to adjust status with the US Citizenship & Immigration Status (USCIS), every applicant must include Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a Panel Physician/Civil Surgeon that documents that the applicant is up to date…

Read More

DHS & DOL: H-2B Visa Program Expands for FY 2019

Together, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) published a joint rule permitting an additional 30,000 H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019). However, this expansion comes with a condition: the additional visas will be made available only to those returning workers who have previously received…

Read More

Presidential Memo on Visa Overstay: B-1 & B-2 Visitor Visas

The White House has released a memorandum outlining President Trump’s strategy to curtail the overstay rate for all nonimmigrant visas, with particular focus on B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant visas. According to recent Department of Homeland Security DHS statistics, B-1 and B-2 visa overstay rates grew beyond 10 percent. President Trump has ordered the DHS to…

Read More

USCIS Director Resigns: Trump Administration Seeks New Leader

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Director (USCIS), L. Francis Cissna submitted his resignation at the request of the president to be effective June 1st. This departure comes in the shadow of recent changes in administration throughout the Department of Homeland Security. Many believe that the changes in administration are a result of dissatisfaction…

Read More

CBP at the Port of Entry Refuse to Adjudicate L-1 Renewal Petitions

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials at the Canadian border have reportedly denied Canadian citizen’s applications to renew L-1 petitions. At the Canadian border, CBP has refused to adjudicate anything other than initial L-1 petition or applications for commuter L class visas for Canadian citizens with visa exemptions under NAFTA. The sudden change in adjudicating…

Read More

USCIS Challenged: Court Considers Restrictive H-1B Policies

A lawsuit filed by ITServe Alliance came to court for pre-trial proceedings on May 9th, bringing forth arguments against the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the Service’s policies that continue to produce H-1B visa denials. While there continues to be several restrictive USCIS policies, this lawsuit brings forth the issue of H-1B…

Read More