Visa Bulletin February 2020 Predictions

For official January 2020 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-january-2020.aspx

Please see February 2020 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based):

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15SEP13	15SEP13	15SEP13	22AUG97	15MAR09
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	22OCT14	22OCT14	22OCT14	01OCT98	22MAR09
F3	22DEC07	22DEC07	22DEC07	08MAR96	22APR99
F4	01APR07	01APR07	22NOV04	01FEB98	22JUN99

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15MAY14	15MAY14	15MAY14	01DEC99	01NOV09
F2A	01JAN20	01JAN20	01JAN20	01JAN20	01JAN20
F2B	01MAY15	01MAY15	01MAY15	08JUN99	01DEC09
F3	01SEP08	01SEP08	01SEP08	22JUL00	08NOV99
F4	01SEP07	01SEP07	22JUL05	22JAN99	01JAN00

Law School Graduate Who Posed As Licensed Attorney Pleads Guilty To Mail Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft

TAMPA, Fla. — Roberta A. Guedes has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a fraudulent scheme wherein she posed and practiced law as a licensed attorney. Guedes faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in 2014, Guedes graduated from Stetson University College of Law, but twice failed the Florida Bar exam. Guedes has never been licensed to practice law in Florida nor in any other state. Despite this, in the fall of 2014, Guedes incorporated two fake law firms—Ferguson and McKenzie LLC and Immigration and Litigation Law Office, Inc. Guedes m

January 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For January 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-january-2020.aspx

Please see below analysis of January 2020 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	+2 Months 14 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+2 Months
F3	+7 Days	+7 Days	+7 Days	+8 Days	+4 Months
F4	No Change	No Change	+7 Days	+24 Days	+2 Months 17 Days

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+4 Months	+4 Months	+4 Months	No Change	+4 Months 14 Days
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	+4 Months
F3	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	+6 Months
F4	No Change	No Change	+7 Days	No Change	+4 Months 16 Days

January 2020 Visa Bulletin

For December 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-december-2019.aspx

For analysis of January 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-analysis-january-2020.aspx

January 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from January 1 to January 31 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15JUL13	15JUL13	15JUL13	08AUG97	15JAN09
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG14	08AUG14	08AUG14	22AUG98	01FEB09
F3	15NOV07	15NOV07	15NOV07	01MAR96	01JAN99
F4	01FEB07	01FEB07	08NOV04	08JAN98	01MAR99

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15MAR14	15MAR14	15MAR14	15NOV99	15SEP09
F2A	01NOV19	01NOV19	01NOV19	01NOV19	01NOV19
F2B	08APR15	08APR15	08APR15	22APR99	01OCT09
F3	15JUL08	15JUL08	15JUL08	15JUL00	01SEP99
F4	22JUL07	22JUL07	08JUL05	01JAN99	01NOV99

January 2020 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official January 2020 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-january-2020.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution signed on November 21, 2019, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 20, 2019. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 19, 2019. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of December 19, 2019, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight December 19, 2019.

The final action date for this category has been listed as "Unavailable" for January.

If there is legislative action extending this category for FY 2020, the final action date would immediately become "Current"

USCIS Expands Guidance Related to Naturalization Requirement of Good Moral Character

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services expanded its policy guidance (PDF, 290 KB) regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character (GMC) requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may render an applicant ineligible for naturalization should the act be found to adversely reflect on moral character.  

Previously, the <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-ma

Judicial Victories in Public Charge Cases Give Trump Admin. Confidence for Implementation of Long-standing Law

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services obtained judicial victories in decisions issued by the Ninth Circuit last week and the Fourth Circuit Monday to stay the injunctions and respect the legal authority vested in the Administration by the U.S. Congress to enforce long-standing law requiring aliens seeking to come or stay in the United States to be self-sufficient.

“USCIS is encouraged by the recent judicial decisions that are positive signs that the implementation of the rule of inadmissibility based on public charge grounds is possible,” said USCIS Acting Deputy Director Kathy Nuebel Kovarik. “This rule enforces long-standing immigration law, one that has been aroun

USCIS Implements Two Decisions from the Attorney General on Good Moral Character Determinations

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced new policy guidance (PDF, 404 KB) implementing two decisions from the attorney general regarding how two or more DUI convictions affect good moral character (GMC) requirements and how post-sentencing changes to criminal sentences affect convictions and sentences for immigration purposes.

On Oct. 25, the attorney general decided in Matter of Castillo-Perez  that two or more

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) from Monday, December 9 at 11:59 p.m. until Tuesday, December 10 at 3:00 a.m. (EDT.)

During this timeframe, users may experience technical difficulties with one or more of the following online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• Change of Address Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

USCIS Announces Implementation of H-1B Electronic Registration Process for Fiscal Year 2021 Cap Season

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it has completed a successful pilot testing phase and is implementing the registration process in the next H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee.

The electronic registration process will dramatically streamline processing by reducing paperwork and data exchange, and will provide an overall cost savings to petitioning employers.

Under this new process, employers seeking H-1B workers subject to the cap, or th

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) from Thursday, November 21 at 11:59 p.m. to Friday, November 22 at 3:00 a.m. (EDT.)

During these timeframes, users may experience technical difficulties with one or more of the following online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience

USCIS Issues Guidance on Adjustment of Status by Aliens Whose Conditional Permanent Residence Has Been Terminated

USCIS today issued policy guidance (PDF, 382 KB) explaining how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifying when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status has been terminated. An immigration judge does not need to affirm the termination of CPR status before the alien can file a new adjustment of status application.

An alien with CPR status obtains lawful permanent resident status either based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (if the marriage is less than two years at the time the alien a

USCIS Issues Further Guidance on Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification

On Oct. 11, USCIS issued three adopted Administrative Appeals Office decisions to clarify requirements for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. USCIS is now updating the USCIS Policy Manual (PDF, 375 KB) to reflect those clarifications.

This update reaffirms and clarifies that:

• The petitioner must have been a juvenile under relevant state law when the juvenile court order was

USCIS Releases Report on Arrest Histories of Illegal Aliens who Request DACA

Offenses include Murder, Rape, Weapon and Assault Charges  

Release Date:  Nov. 16, 2019

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Resources/Reports%20and%20Studies/Immigration%20Forms%20Data/Static_files/DACA_Requestors_IDENT_Nov._2019.pdf" r

USCIS Publishes Guidance on H-2A Petitions for Sheep/Goat Herders

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a policy memorandum (PDF, 408 KB) (PM) that requires requests for temporary foreign workers for range sheep or goat herding or production be subject to the same requirements as other temporary agricultural workers.

USCIS is issuing this PM to ensure that H-2A nonimmigrant sheep/goat herders may only fill temporary and/or seasonal herder positions, and that petitioners filing petitions for permanent sheep/goat herders comply with the requirements applicable to permanent positio

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Friday, November 15, 2019 from 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. (Eastern), Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. (Eastern) and Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 12:01 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (Eastern).

During these timeframes, users may experience technical difficulties with one or more of the following online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locato

December 2019 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For December 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-december-2019.aspx

Please see below analysis of December 2019 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	No Change	+1 Month 16 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+2 Months
F3	+24 Days	+24 Days	+24 Days	No Change	+3 Months
F4	+1 Month	+1 Month	+17 Days	No Change	+3 Months 14 Days

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	No Change	+1 Month 17 Days
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+2 Months
F3	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+3 Months
F4	+21 Days	+21 Days	+16 Days	No Change	+3 Months 14 Days

December 2019 Visa Bulletin

For November 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-november-2019.aspx

For analysis of December 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-analysis-december-2019.aspx

December 2019 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from December 1 to December 31 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15MAY13	15MAY13	15MAY13	08AUG97	01NOV08
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG14	08AUG14	08AUG14	22AUG98	01DEC08
F3	08NOV07	08NOV07	08NOV07	22FEB96	01SEP98
F4	01FEB07	01FEB07	01NOV04	15DEC97	15DEC98

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15NOV13	15NOV13	15NOV13	15NOV99	01MAY09
F2A	01OCT19	01OCT19	01OCT19	01OCT19	01OCT19
F2B	08FEB15	08FEB15	08FEB15	22APR99	01JUN09
F3	15MAY08	15MAY08	15MAY08	15JUL00	01MAR99
F4	22JUL07	22JUL07	01JUL05	01JAN99	15JUN99

December 2019 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official December 2019 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-december-2019.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution (H.R. 4378 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019), signed on September 27, 2019, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on November 21, 2019. No SR visas may be issued overseas or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after midnight, November 20, 2019. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of November 20, 2019 and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight, November 20, 2019.

The final action date for this category has been listed as "Unavailable" for December for all countries.

If there is legislati

USCIS to Deter Frivolous or Fraudulent Asylum Seekers from Obtaining Work Authorizations

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a proposed rule to deter aliens from illegally entering the United States and from filing frivolous, fraudulent or otherwise non-meritorious asylum applications in order to obtain employment authorization.

The proposed rule will better allow USCIS to extend protections to those with bona fide asylum claims. USCIS also seeks to prevent certain criminal aliens from obtaining work authorization before the merits of their asylum application are adjudicated.

The proposed rule stems from th

USCIS Proposes to Adjust Fees to Meet Operational Needs

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to adjust the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Immigration Examinations Fee Account fee schedule.

Fees collected and deposited into the IEFA fund nearly 96% of USCIS’ budget. Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee-funded. Federal law requires USCIS to conduct biennial fee reviews and recommend necessary fee adjustments to ensure recovery of the full cost of administering the nation

USCIS Implements $10 Fee for H-1B Visa Registration

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The registration fee is part of an agency-wide effort to modernize and more efficiently process applications to live or work in the United States.

The H-1B program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the ap

USCIS Assists in Case Where Federal Grand Jury Indicts Lawyer and Accountant in Visa Fraud Scheme to Obtain LPR Status for South Korean Nationals

LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has indicted two men in a scheme to obtain lawful permanent resident status for South Korean nationals by submitting fraudulent visa applications that falsely claimed American businesses wanted to hire skilled foreign workers.

The indictment, returned on Nov. 1, alleges that the defendants exploited the EB-2(a) visa program by submitting bogus Alien Worker Petitions on behalf of companies – some legitimate, some created specifically for the scheme – that purportedly wanted to hire foreign nationals after exhausting attempts to find suitable workers in the United States. According to court documents, those South Korean visa applicants simply want

Wilmington Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting False Statements in Connection with a Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud

NEW BERN, N.C. –Marlilyn Godshall of Wilmington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting fraudulent statements.  United States Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. sentenced Godshall to 12 months of probation.

Homeland Security Investigations initiated an inquiry with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security  into Godshall based on a fraudulent marriage between her daughter, Melissa Godshall, a United States citizen, and Levan Lomtatidze, a citizen of the Republic of Georgia.  A lead suggested that Melissa Godshall was married to Lomtatidze but also shared an address with her real boyfriend, Robert Kennerley.

“Tak

DHS Extends TPS Documentation for Six Countries

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a Federal Register notice extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan through Jan. 4, 2021. 

The notice automatically extends the validity of Employment Authorization Documents; Forms I-797, Notice of Action; and Forms I-94, Arrival/Departure Record (collectively, TPS-related documentation). The validity dates for the affected count

Armenian Citizen Pleads Guilty for His Role in For-Profit U.S. Visa Fraud Scheme

NEW YORK—A man residing in Glendale, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully bring in aliens and visa fraud for his role in a multi-year visa fraud scheme that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit.

Hrachya Atoyan, 32, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara in the Eastern District of New York.  Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Margo K. Brodie.  According to the indictment, Atoyan allegedly participated in a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigratio

Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Immigration Fraud Scheme Stretching from Tampa to Chicago

TAMPA, Fla. — Erika Paola Intriago pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a fraud scheme involving her posing as an immigration attorney to victims in Chicago and Tampa. Intriago faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Intriago portrayed herself as an immigration attorney and personal representative offering immigration-related services. She advertised her services on social media, targeting immigrants and immigrant families from Spanish-speaking countries. In fact, Intriago was not a licensed attorney in any state.

Victims retained and paid Intriago to represent them in immigration-r

USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced beginning on Dec. 2, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions.

The premium processing fee will increase to $1,440 from the current fee of $1,410 for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. This increase, which is done in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ref

USCIS Makes Another Form Available for Online Filing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that petitioners can now complete and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, online. Online filing allows aliens to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case, and receive notices from USCIS.

“Form I-130 is one of the most widely filed USCIS forms,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “As we continue our transition to paperless operations, petitioners can now experience the convenience of filing electronically. USCIS is increasing the number of forms available for online filing to make our agency more effective and efficient.&r

USCIS Updates Fee Waiver Requirements

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, by removing the means-tested benefit criteria that was previously used as a factor in determining whether an applicant was exempt from paying for filing fees or biometric services. Individuals may still request a fee waiver if their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or they demonstrate financial hardship.

A means-tested benefit is a public benefit—offered by federal, state, or local agencies—for which eligibility and amount considerations are based on a person’s income and reso

Wilmington Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting False Statements in Connection with a Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud

NEW BERN, N.C. –Marlilyn Godshall of Wilmington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting fraudulent statements.  United States Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. sentenced Godshall to 12 months of probation.

Homeland Security Investigations initiated an inquiry with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security  into Godshall based on a fraudulent marriage between her daughter, Melissa Godshall, a United States citizen, and Levan Lomtatidze, a citizen of the Republic of Georgia.  A lead suggested that Melissa Godshall was married to Lomtatidze but also shared an address with her real boyfriend, Robert Kennerley.

“Tak

DHS Extends TPS Documentation for Six Countries

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a Federal Register notice extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan through Jan. 4, 2021. 

The notice automatically extends the validity of Employment Authorization Documents; Forms I-797, Notice of Action; and Forms I-94, Arrival/Departure Record (collectively, TPS-related documentation). The validity dates for the affected count

Armenian Citizen Pleads Guilty for His Role in For-Profit U.S. Visa Fraud Scheme

NEW YORK—A man residing in Glendale, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully bring in aliens and visa fraud for his role in a multi-year visa fraud scheme that brought Armenian citizens into the United States for profit.

Hrachya Atoyan, 32, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara in the Eastern District of New York.  Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Margo K. Brodie.  According to the indictment, Atoyan allegedly participated in a transnational network of co-conspirators who engaged in a widespread visa fraud scheme to bring Armenian citizens into the United States by fraudulently claiming to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigratio

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m. (Eastern) and Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Eastern).

During this timeframe, users may experience technical difficulties with one or more of the following online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online </li

Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Immigration Fraud Scheme Stretching from Tampa to Chicago

TAMPA, Fla. — Erika Paola Intriago pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a fraud scheme involving her posing as an immigration attorney to victims in Chicago and Tampa. Intriago faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Intriago portrayed herself as an immigration attorney and personal representative offering immigration-related services. She advertised her services on social media, targeting immigrants and immigrant families from Spanish-speaking countries. In fact, Intriago was not a licensed attorney in any state.

Victims retained and paid Intriago to represent them in immigration-r

USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced beginning on Nov. 29, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions.

The premium processing fee will increase to $1,440 from the current fee of $1,410 for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. This increase, which is done in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, reflects the full a

USCIS Updates Fee Waiver Requirements

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, by removing the means-tested benefit criteria that was previously used as a factor in determining whether an applicant was exempt from paying for filing fees or biometric services. Individuals may still request a fee waiver if their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or they demonstrate financial hardship.

A means-tested benefit is a public benefit—offered by federal, state, or local agencies—for which eligibility and amount considerations are based on a person’s income and resour

USCIS Begins Producing Security-Enhanced Travel Documents

To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, we will begin producing on Oct. 24 a new security-enhanced U.S. travel document, which is a booklet that looks similar to a U.S. passport and serves dual purposes. The travel document can serve in place of:

• Form I-327, Permit to Reenter the United States: Lawful permanent residents use the Reentry Permit to return from temporary travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Reentry Permit for travel in place of a passport; and
• Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document: Those with refugee or asylum status use a Refugee Travel Document if they wish to temporarily travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Refugee Travel Documen

Cuccinelli Announces USCIS’ FY 2019 Accomplishments and Efforts to Implement President Trump’s Goals

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today released preliminary fiscal year 2019 agency statistics, accomplishments and efforts to implement President Trump’s agenda. These preliminary statistics highlight important immigration trends and illustrate the work accomplished by USCIS in FY 2019. The agency will publish final, verified FY 2019 statistics later next month.

“FY 2019 has been a historic year for USCIS and we have achieved many of President Trump’s goals to make our immigration system work better for America. As an agency, we have worked hand-in-hand with our fellow DHS components to answer President Trump’s call to address the ongoing crisis at our sout

November 2019 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For November 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-november-2019.aspx

Please see below analysis of November 2019 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	No Change	+2 Months 14 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	+21 Days	+1 Month
F3	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+2 Months
F4	+1 Month 9 Days	+1 Month 9 Days	+14 Days	No Change	+1 Month 24 Days

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	No Change	+2 Months 14 Days
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	+21 Days	+1 Month
F3	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+2 Months
F4	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+14 Days	No Change	+1 Month 24 Days

November 2019 Visa Bulletin

For October 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-october-2019.aspx

For analysis of November 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-analysis-november-2019.aspx

November 2019 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from November 1 to November 30 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01MAR13	01MAR13	01MAR13	08AUG97	15SEP08
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL14	08JUL14	08JUL14	22AUG98	01OCT08
F3	15OCT07	15OCT07	15OCT07	22FEB96	01JUN98
F4	01JAN07	01JAN07	15OCT04	15DEC97	01SEP98

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01SEP13	01SEP13	01SEP13	15NOV99	15MAR09
F2A	01SEP19	01SEP19	01SEP19	01SEP19	01SEP19
F2B	08JAN15	08JAN15	08JAN15	22APR99	01APR09
F3	15APR08	15APR08	15APR08	15JUL00	01DEC98
F4	01JUL07	01JUL07	15JUN05	01JAN99	01MAR99

November 2019 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official November 2019 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-november-2019.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution (H.R. 4378 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019), signed on September 27, 2019, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on November 21, 2019. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight November 20, 2019. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of November 20, 2019, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight November 20, 2019.

The final action date for this category has been listed as "Current" for November for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, a

USCIS Clarifies Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification to Better Ensure Victims of Abuse, Neglect and Abandonment Receive Protection

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today clarified requirements regarding the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. 

To ensure consistency surrounding this classification, USCIS is issuing three Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) adopted decisions. Through these adopted decisions, USCIS clarifies that it requires evidence of a court’s intervention to provide relief from abuse, neglect or abandonment beyond a statement that the juvenile is dependent on the court. This level of intervention from the court serves as an indicator as to whether the SIJ classification is sought for its intended purpose of relief from parental abuse, neglect or abandonment and not primarily to obta

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct system maintenance to the Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) from Thursday, October 10^th at 11:59 p.m. to Friday, October 11^th at 3:00 a.m. (EDT.)

During this timeframe, users may experience technical difficulties with one or more of the following online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online </li

San Fernando Valley Man Admits Guilt in English Proficiency Exam Scheme for Chinese Nationals Seeking Student Visas

LOS ANGELES – A Woodland Hills man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges in connection with a scheme where Chinese nationals fraudulently obtained student visas by hiring people with fake Chinese passports to take an English proficiency test on their behalf. This scheme was shut down thanks to assistance from USCIS fraud detection and national security immigration officers.

Liu Cai, 24, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of using a false passport. United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt scheduled a February 13, 2020, sentencing hearing, at which time Cai will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Cai is the lead defendant in a 26-count federal grand jury indictment ret

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct a system maintenance starting on Thursday, October 3rd, at 11:59 pm until Friday, October 4, at 3:00 am. All times are Eastern.

During this time you may experience technical difficulties with one or more online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause

<span id="ne

H-2A Petitioners Must Include Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination with Form I-129

On Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented its new Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system for the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Starting Oct. 1, employers who file an H-2A application for a temporary labor certification in FLAG will only receive the certification electronically.

If your application for a temporary labor certification was processed in FLAG, you must include a printed copy of the electronic one-page final determination of your H-2A temporary labor certification approval when you submit your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker to USCIS. We will consider a

USCIS Announces New Locations for Onsite Overseas Military Naturalization Services

WASHINGTON—Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will provide military naturalization services at four overseas military bases, due to the agency’s shifting international footprint and office closures overseas.

Service members and eligible family members who are stationed overseas will now complete their naturalization process at one of four “hubs” located at Camp Humphreys, South Korea; Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan; U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany; and Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy. These hubs were selected based on their proximity to locations where USCIS international offices historically provided the most overseas military naturaliz

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct a system maintenance starting at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, September 29^th until 8 a.m.  All times are Eastern.

During this time you may experience technical difficulties with one or more online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

<span id="news-a

Refugee Admissions Part of Overall Humanitarian Relief Efforts says USCIS Acting Director Cuccinelli

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli today issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s proposed refugee ceiling for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

“The United States is the most generous country in the world when it comes to humanitarian relief efforts, and we are committed to maintaining that leadership position. In keeping with that goal, the President has proposed that we resettle 18,000 refugees from around the world, which will be in addition to the hundreds of thousands of asylum applicants we will process. This domestic support of refugees and asylum seekers is in addition to our commitment of billions of dollars to support refugees and oth

USCIS Awards FY 2019 Citizenship and Assimilation Grants

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services awarded nearly $10 million in grants to 41 organizations in 24 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization.

The fiscal year 2019 grants, which run through September 2021, promote prospective citizens’ assimilation into American civic life by funding educational programs designed to increase their knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics.

“Our country welcomes legal immigrants from all over the world who come to the United States, positively contribute to our society and engage in American civic life,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “Immigrants who assimilate, embrace our

Filing Guidance for CW-1 Petitions Seeking to Extend Status for Fiscal Year 2020

USCIS will consider certain fiscal year (FY) 2020 CW-1 petitions seeking an extension of status for temporary workers present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to be filed on time, even if USCIS receives them after the worker’s current period of CW-1 petition validity expires.

USCIS is providing this one-time, limited accommodation to facilitate the initial implementation of the new requirement that CW-1 petitions with employment start dates on or after Oct. 1, 2019, include a Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Normally, under Department of Homeland Security regulations, an employer may only file a CW-1 petition on behalf of a worker present in the CNMI if the

Re-Registration Period Now Open for Individuals with TPS under Syria’s Designation

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Syria’s designation who want to maintain their status through March 31, 2021, must re-register between Sept. 23 and Nov. 22, 2019.

Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documents (EADs), have been published in the Federal Register and are available at uscis.gov/tps.

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct a system maintenance starting at 11:59 pm on Thursday, September 19^th until 3 am on Friday, September 20^th.  All times are Eastern.

During this time you may experience technical difficulties with one or more online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

<

October 2019 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For October 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-october-2019.aspx

Please see below analysis of October 2019 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+1 Year 7 Days	+9 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+1 Month	+1 Month
F3	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+2 Months 21 Days	+2 Months
F4	+21 Days	+21 Days	+9 Days	+11 Months 14 Days	+7 Days

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	+7 Days	+1 Month
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month	+1 Month
F3	+1 Month 24 Days	+1 Month 24 Days	+1 Month 24 Days	No Change	+2 Months
F4	+2 Months 7 Days	+2 Months 7 Days	+10 Days	+10 Days	+7 Days

October 2019 Visa Bulletin

For September 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-september-2019.aspx

For analysis of October 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-analysis-october-2019.aspx

October 2019 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from October 1 to October 31 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15JAN13	15JAN13	15JAN13	08AUG97	01JUL08
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01JUN14	01JUN14	01JUN14	01AUG98	01SEP08
F3	15SEP07	15SEP07	15SEP07	22FEB96	01APR98
F4	22NOV06	22NOV06	01OCT04	15DEC97	08JUL98

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15JUL13	15JUL13	15JUL13	15NOV99	01JAN09
F2A	01AUG19	01AUG19	01AUG19	01AUG19	01AUG19
F2B	01DEC14	01DEC14	01DEC14	01APR99	01MAR09
F3	15MAR08	15MAR08	15MAR08	15JUL00	01OCT98
F4	15MAY07	15MAY07	01JUN05	01JAN99	08JAN99

October 2019 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official October 2019 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-october-2019.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to Section 102 of Division H, Title I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-6), the non-minister special immigrant program expires on September 30, 2019. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2019. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of September 29, 2019, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight September 29, 2019.

The final action date for this category has been listed as "Unavailable" for October.

If there is legislative action extending this category for FY-2020, the

USCIS to Welcome More Than 34,000 New Citizens in Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

WASHINGTON—USCIS announced today that it will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by welcoming nearly 34,300 new U.S. citizens during 316 naturalization ceremonies across the nation between Sept. 13 and 23.

The USCIS Constitution Week activities will feature a naturalization ceremony at the DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 17, where USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli will administer the Oath of Allegiance and provide congratulatory remarks to 1,000 new U.S. citizens. View a list of other notable 2019 Constitution Week-themed naturalization ceremonie

Celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Week) 2019 with Naturalization Ceremonies

On Sept. 17, the nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.”

USCIS celebrates Constitution Week with naturalization ceremonies across the country. This year, we will welcome nearly 34,300 new citizens at during 316 naturalization ceremonies between Sept. 13 and 23. A list of highlighted ceremonies is below.

We encourage you to share your experiences and photos from naturalization ceremonies through social media, using the hashtags #newUScitizen, #ConstitutionWeek and #WethePeople. You can also follow us on Twitter (<a target='_blank' href="

Cuccinelli Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision Allowing Enforcement of the Asylum Rule

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to permit the enforcement of the Trump Administration’s asylum rule requiring asylum seekers to seek protection in at least one third country they traveled through en route to the United States.

“I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down judicial activists’ injunction and allow the Trump Administration to carry out its rule to strengthen the asylum process. I commend the work done by the attorneys at the Department of Justice to achieve this outstanding outcome. The Administration’s rule is designed to safeguard the integrity of the U.S. a

USCIS Proposes More Effective and Efficient Processing of Work Authorization Requests for Asylum Applicants

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed regulation to improve the process for granting or denying an initial application for employment authorization documents (EADs) by reforming the current 30-day timeline pertaining to pending asylum applicants.

These proposed changes will allow USCIS the time needed to receive, screen, and process applications, which in turn would strengthen national security, maintain technological advances in identity verification, and further deter those who may be attempting to defraud the legal immigration system under an improved process.

The original 30-day timeline was enacted more than 20 years ago. Since then, there have bee

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct a system maintenance starting at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 6^th until 3 am on Saturday, September 7^th.  All times are Eastern.

During this time you may experience technical difficulties with one or more online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause

</di

USCIS Proposes More Effective and Efficient Processing of Work Authorization Requests for Asylum Applicants

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed regulation to improve the process for granting or denying an initial application for employment authorization documents (EADs) by reforming the current 30-day timeline pertaining to pending asylum applicants.

These proposed changes will allow USCIS the time needed to receive, screen, and process applications, which in turn would strengthen national security, maintain technological advances in identity verification, and further deter those who may be attempting to defraud the legal immigration system under an improved process.

The original 30-day timeline was enacted more than 20 years ago. Since then, there have bee

E-Verify launches new video resource page

USCIS Re-Opens Previously Pending Deferral Requests

Today, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services announced it will reopen non-military deferred action cases that were pending on August 7.  Letters will be sent this week re-opening all cases that were pending on August 7.

On August 7, USCIS stopped its consideration of deferred action for non-military requestors. At that time, USCIS sent out letters informing those who had requested deferred action that USCIS was no longer entertaining such requests. Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer the deportation of an individual who is illegally present in the United States as an act of prosecutorial discretion on a case-by-case basis.  Those denied requests that were pending on August 7 did not have removal orders pend

Changes to Direct Filing Addresses for Certain H-1B Form I-129 Petitions

On Sept. 1, we will change the direct filing addresses for certain petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. The changes apply to the following cap-exempt H-1B petitions:

• Continuing previously approved employment from the same employer;
• Changing previously approved employment;
• New concurrent employment;
• Changing an employer;
• Changing status to H-1B;
• Notifying a U.S. consulate, port of entry, or pre-flight inspection; or
• Amending a petition.

This excludes petitions:

• Filed by cap-exempt petitioners or for cap-exempt entities;
• That are c

USCIS Policy Manual Update

Introduction

Our latest update to the USCIS Policy Manual defines “residence” as it relates to citizenship for children of certain U.S. government employees and members of the U.S. armed forces who are employed or stationed outside the United States, to conform with the definition of residence in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This guidance rescinds previously established USCIS policy, which stated that certain children who were living outside the United States were considered “residing in” the United States.

As a result, it changes the process that parents of such children must follow to obtain

Statement Regarding a Policy Update Defining “Residence” in Statutory Provisions Related to Citizenship

Today, Acting USCIS Director Ken Cuccinelli issued the following statement regarding a policy update Defining “Residence” in Statutory Provisions Related to Citizenship.

“This policy update does not affect who is born a U.S. citizen, period.  This only affects children who were born outside the United States and were not U.S. citizens.  This does NOT impact birthright citizenship.  This policy update does not deny citizenship to the children of US government employees or members of the military born abroad.  This policy aligns USCIS’ process with the Department of State’s procedure, that’s it.&r

USCIS Policy Manual Update

Introduction

Our latest update to the USCIS Policy Manual defines “residence” as it relates to citizenship for children of certain U.S. government employees and members of the U.S. armed forces who are employed or stationed outside the United States, to conform with the definition of residence in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This guidance rescinds previously established USCIS policy, which stated that certain children who were living outside the United States were considered “residing in” the United States.

As a result, it changes the process that parents of such children must follow to obtain

USCIS Helps Detect Marriage Fraud Ring

The Bridgeport resident pleaded guilty to arranging numerous fraudulent marriages so noncitizens could obtain Green Cards.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of  Connecticut; the acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston; and a supervisory immigration officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), announced that Jodian Stephenson, also known as “Jodian Gordon,” 35, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty on Aug. 19, in New Haven federal court to a conspiracy charge stemming from her arrange

Tools Outage

USCIS will conduct a system maintenance starting at 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 22^nd until 3 a.m. on Friday, August 23rd.  All times are Eastern.

During this time you may experience technical difficulties with one or more online tools:

• Check My Case Status
• e-Request
• Change of Address Online
• Check Processing Times
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• FOIA Status Check
• Office Locator
• File Online
• myUSCIS Online Account

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

<span id="news-article-ct

USCIS Issues Guidance on Discretionary Employment Authorization for Parolees

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today issued policy guidance (PDF, 305 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual to address its discretion to grant employment authorization to foreign nationals who are paroled into the United States, including those who are otherwise inadmissible.

Certain foreign nationals may be paroled into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Parolees are not entitled to emp

Visa Bulletin October 2019 Predictions

For official September 2019 Visa Bulletin and analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-september-2019.aspx

Please see October 2019 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based):

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	22FEB13	22FEB13	22FEB13	15AUG96	08AUG08
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	22AUG14	22AUG14	22AUG14	08AUG98	08SEP08
F3	08OCT07	08OCT07	08OCT07	08DEC95	01MAY98
F4	01JAN07	01JAN07	08OCT04	22JAN97	08OCT98

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	08JUN13	08JUN13	08JUN13	15DEC99	01JAN09
F2A	22AUG19	22AUG19	22AUG19	22AUG19	22AUG19
F2B	01NOV14	01NOV14	01NOV14	01MAY99	08MAR09
F3	22FEB08	22FEB08	22FEB08	01SEP00	08SEP98
F4	08MAY07	08MAY07	01JUN05	08JAN99	01APR99

USCIS Returns Unselected Fiscal Year 2020 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions

USCIS has returned all fiscal year (FY) 2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in our computer-generated random selection process. On May 17, USCIS announced that it had completed data entry of all selected H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2020.

September 2019 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For September 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-september-2019.aspx

Please see below analysis of September 2019 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+6 Months	+6 Months	+6 Months	No Change	+4 Months
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+5 Months	+5 Months	+5 Months	+1 Month	+4 Months
F3	+2 Months 9 Days	+2 Months 9 Days	+2 Months 9 Days	No Change	+4 Months
F4	+1 Month	+1 Month	+7 Days	No Change	+2 Months

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	+7 Days	+3 Months 10 Days
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month	+3 Months
F3	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+4 Months
F4	+2 Months 24 Days	+2 Months 24 Days	+7 Days	+7 Days	+2 Months

September 2019 Visa Bulletin

For August 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-august-2019.aspx

For analysis of September 2019 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-analysis-september-2019.aspx

September 2019 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from September 1 to September 30 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01JAN13	01JAN13	01JAN13	01AUG96	22JUN08
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01JUN14	01JUN14	01JUN14	01JUL98	01AUG08
F3	01SEP07	01SEP07	01SEP07	01DEC95	01FEB98
F4	01NOV06	01NOV06	22SEP04	01JAN97	01JUL98

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01MAY13	01MAY13	01MAY13	08NOV99	01DEC08
F2A	01JUL19	01JUL19	01JUL19	01JUL19	01JUL19
F2B	15OCT14	15OCT14	15OCT14	01MAR99	01FEB09
F3	22JAN08	22JAN08	22JAN08	15JUL00	01AUG98
F4	08MAR07	08MAR07	22MAY05	22DEC98	01JAN99