Automatic Extension of Work Permits
Some foreign nationals who are employed in the U.S. are eligible for an automatic extension of their work permit, or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) simply by filing a timely I-765 renewal application. This benefit helps to prevent gaps in employment authorization. Upon receipt of the I-765 application, USCIS will automatically extend the employee’s EAD for…
USCIS reports delays in sending out Receipt Notices for I-751 Petitions
The American Immigration Lawyers Association reports that its members have experienced delays in receiving I-797 Receipt Notices for I-751 Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence that were filed with the USCIS Lockbox addresses in Texas and Arizona. Since all I-751 Petitions must be sent to either the Texas or Arizona Lockbox, depending upon where the…
I-751 Petitions for Conditional Permanent Resident Children
Minor children of adult conditional permanent residents who immigrate to the U.S. as derivative dependents or as direct beneficiaries of step-parent petitions will also be granted status as a conditional resident, just like their parent. As such, conditional resident children must also file I-751 petitions (or be included in their parent’s petition) in order to…
Exemptions for F-1 and M-1 Students taking Online Classes during the 2020 Fall Semester.
UPDATE: The Trump administration reversed its position on July 13, 2020 which would require F-1 and M-1 students to take at least one in-person course during the fall semester. Thus, the information in this blog post below has been superseded and is no longer applicable. This content, however, will be maintained for historical purposes. In…
USCIS Extends March 30, 2020 Flexibility for Applicants and Petitioners Responding to Agency Requests
In its continued effort to extend leniency to those directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will continue to extend the flexibility measures that it previously announced on March 30, 2020 in order to help applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain: Requests for…
What if my i-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence is Denied?
If your i-751 Petition is denied, you have several different options available to you. The first thing you need to understand is that you can NOT appeal the denial of an i-751 petition, as there is no right of appeal under the law. However, as explained below, you can indirectly seek the review of your…
More Thoughts on I-751 Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence
Ever since my 2016 Separated but not Divorced blog post on how to navigate jointly filed I-751 petitions during a period of separation or marital difficulties, I have received an overwhelming response from potential clients all over the country who seemed to find themselves in this exact situation. After all this time, I have come…
May 29, 2020 Presidential Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China
On May 29, 2020, President Trump announced his latest Presidential Proclamation aimed at restricting Immigration into the United States. Scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2020, the Proclamation effectively suspends the entry of all nationals from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) who are seeking to enter the U.S. on a nonimmigrant F or…
Things you can do to improve your chances that you will NOT be found likely to be a Public Charge in the future.
Yes, I know that this is a long title for a blog post. But after spending a lot of time going over all of the details of the new Public Charge Rule (the Rule) and working with clients on preparing and submitting the new I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency, I have been taking mental notes…
How to obtain a temporary I-551 Stamp during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) would typically schedule an appointment at their local USCIS office to get a temporary I-551 stamp from USCIS when their Green Card was expiring. Most USCIS Application Support Centers would simply put a sticker on the back of the Green Card during a biometrics appointment that was…
