H1B, J1, F1, Visa News – 2024-08-28
Welcome to the weekly news summary related to green card self-petition. This news page tries to capture immigration news that is relevant to self-petition applicants. It tries to gather broad immigration topics that may be of interest to self-petition EB1A, and EB2-NIW applicants. Hope you enjoy the news. All news sources are acknowledged. If you need additional details follow the source link.
News Articles
- Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks Biden’s Keeping Families Together Program
- Warning to F-1 Students: Beware of Fraudulent Companies Exploiting OPT Requirements
- Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Parole-in-Place Program for Undocumented Spouses and Stepchildren of US Citizens
- What are the government agency support and recommendation letters?
- USCIS Warns of Rejection Risk Due to Improper Payment in FY2025 Cap Lottery
- What should be included in a letter of recommendation?
- Guide to Requesting Immigration Records from the U.S. Government
Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks Biden’s Keeping Families Together Program
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden Administration’s Keeping Families Together program, which allows certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for parole in place. The order was issued by District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump. The program was designed to keep families together while their immigration status was being processed.
Date: 2024/08/27
Warning to F-1 Students: Beware of Fraudulent Companies Exploiting OPT Requirements
Students in F-1 status granted optional practical training (OPT) are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment in the initial one-year post-completion OPT period. However, some fraudulent companies prey on these students, charging them a hefty upfront fee for non-existent training and promising high-paying work. These companies provide an employment verification letter, making it appear the student is compliant with OPT requirements. However, U.S. immigration agencies have deemed this as fraud, making students permanently inadmissible and deportable. The Murthy Law Firm warns students to be aware of such exploitative companies and to contact them or their university’s designated school official to ensure the employment genuinely complies with OPT requirements.
Date: 2024/08/26
Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Parole-in-Place Program for Undocumented Spouses and Stepchildren of US Citizens
A federal judge has temporarily halted the Parole-in-Place program, which allows certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of US citizens to apply for parole without leaving the US. To be eligible, spouses must have been continuously present in the US since at least June 17, 2014, and have a valid marriage to a US citizen as of June 17, 2024. Stepchildren must have been under 21, unmarried, and continuously present in the US since June 17, 2024. Applicants cannot have a disqualifying criminal history or pose a threat to public safety, national security, or border security. Applications are accepted online only. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has prioritized these applications, with many cases approved within 24 hours of filing.
Date: 2024/08/22
What are the government agency support and recommendation letters?
Government agency support and recommendation letters are documents written by government organizations that endorse your application for the EB2-NIW category. These letters typically explain the importance of your work, how it benefits the national interest, and why you should be granted a waiver. They can be a compelling part of your application, but they are not mandatory. For an advanced degree holder, these letters can help validate the significance of your work in your field. However, it’s worth noting that the weight of these letters can vary depending on the position of the agency within the U.S. government and the relevancy of the agency to your field. In general, a letter from a federal agency would carry more weight than one from a local or state agency. It’s also crucial that these letters are specific, detailed, and directly linked to your contributions and potential.
Date: 2024/08/28
USCIS Warns of Rejection Risk Due to Improper Payment in FY2025 Cap Lottery
As the second round of FY2025 cap lottery begins, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has warned applicants that improper payment can lead to the rejection of H1B petitions or any other type of application. Even if the correct filing fees are submitted, anti-fraud features on the payment method may result in the bank denying payment to USCIS, leading to rejection of the filing. A rejected filing, unlike a denial, does not meet the minimum requirements for USCIS acceptance. To avoid this, applicants are advised to notify their credit card companies of upcoming payments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This reduces the risk of transactions being flagged as potential fraud.
Date: 2024/08/20
What should be included in a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation for an EB1A green card self-petition should include specific examples of your extraordinary abilities and achievements in your field of expertise. It should highlight how you have significantly contributed to your field, your international recognition, and the impact of your work. This letter will help showcase your advanced degree expertise, contributions, and recognition in your field, which are crucial for the EB1A category. The letter should ideally be from an expert in your field who can vouch for your accomplishments. It should also explain why your skills are needed in the United States and how you plan to continue contributing to your field. The letter should be detailed, specific, and professionally written, as it plays a critical role in the evaluation of your EB1A petition.
Date: 2024/08/28
Guide to Requesting Immigration Records from the U.S. Government
The text provides instructions on how to request immigration records from the U.S. government. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA), individuals can request specific records from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process involves checking if the required records are already available in the USCIS Electronic Reading Room, specifying the required documents, and submitting a separate request for each individual’s records. The request can be made online, which is the quickest and most convenient method. If preferred, requests can also be made by mail using Form G-639. However, mailed requests are less efficient and may result in delays. The text also mentions a FOIA Application Programming Interface (API) for attorneys and accredited representatives who frequently make FOIA requests.
Date: 2024/08/21
Disclaimer: The summarized content on this webpage is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to specific situations or circumstances. Always consult the original source links for comprehensive information. This website assumes no liability for any errors.