Immigration News
H-1B Visa Registrations Begin on March 6
H-1B online filing start date for FY25 is right around the corner, starting from March 6. In a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed concerns about the H-1B visa process and the backlog of green card applications, emphasizing President Joe Biden’s commitment to addressing issues within the legal immigration system.
New Immigration Court in Chelmsford Aims to Ease Backlogs
A new federal immigration court will soon open in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Migrants are continuing to arrive each day, with most awaiting court dates for judges to hear their cases. As the situation continues to burden the court system, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to open the new Lowell Immigration Court on Chelmsford’s Apollo Drive. The court is expected to open in early April.
No Visa Backlog Under The EB-5 Rural Category Now
The EB-5 visa is a popular route to acquire a US Green Card and get permanent citizenship in America. In March 2022, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act introduced new regulations, prioritizing rural projects in the allocation of visas. Notably, rural petitions now receive 20% of the total set-aside visas annually. Consequently, while many countries contend with backlogs in EB-5 visa applications, those pursuing rural investment petitions enjoy a streamlined process, with their petitions deemed “current” as of February 2024.
Eligible Ukrainians Can Now Apply for Re-Parole
Beginning February 27, 2024, eligible Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are physically present in the United States can now be considered for re-parole so they can continue to remain in the United States temporarily. Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who were paroled into the United States on or after Feb. 11, 2022, can apply for re-parole under this process. As with any parole application, we will consider these applications on a discretionary, case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Green Card Backlog Increased by 16% in January
In January, the National Visa Center (NVC) experienced a 16% surge in the immigrant visa (IV) backlog, rising from 292,105 to 338,256. Additionally, the count of green card applicants with documentarily complete cases rose by 13%, from 337,870 to 380,407. A “documentarily complete” case implies all necessary forms and documents have been submitted and accepted by the NVC, thus ready for interview scheduling. Moreover, green card interviews scheduled in January increased to 42,151, compared to 45,765 in December.
US Working to Reduce Visitor Visa Wait Time for Indians
The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 percent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. In an interview with PTI, Bitter noted that today more Indians can travel to the United States than in any other time in history.
The Cost of US Citizenship Is About to Rise
The cost of applying for U.S. citizenship is about to rise. More than 9 million legal permanent residents in the United States are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship but haven’t done so, according to the Office of Homeland Security Statistics. On April 1, the cost of the application to naturalize is climbing as much as 19%. The price of getting a green card will jump, too. The changes are a fraction of the fee increases sought by the Trump administration before a federal judge scrapped them. Still, immigration attorneys say, immigration costs almost always trend higher, so those who want to naturalize for less should consider submitting an application before April 1.
USCIS Launching a Pilot of E-Verify+
USCIS announced that it will be launching a pilot of E-Verify+ in 2024. USCIS states that E-Verify+ will streamline the Form I-9 and employment eligibility verification process.
New Immigration Court Opens in Bay Area
A new immigration court opened in Concord, California, to address the growing backlog of deportation cases in the Bay Area. This new facility adds 21 courtrooms, nearly doubling the capacity to hear cases. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort by the Biden administration to tackle a backlog exceeding 3.3 million cases across the US.
Launch of USCIS Online Organizational Accounts and Electronic Filing
USCIS has announced that Online Organizational Accounts will be made available to companies and attorneys in February 2024. This long-anticipated feature will allow for online case submission for certain petitions, and will also streamline the H-1B registration submission process between employers and their attorneys.
Retrogression of Employment-Based Category According to Visa Bulletin
Starting March 1st, USCIS is implementing a change in the process of Employment-Based cases. Now, the priority dates will play a pivotal role in advancing the application process. This shift means that applicants will experience a retrogression in priority dates for the adjustment of status of approximately 4 months.
Notes on PERM Online Filing Updates and Fixes
The Department of Labor (DOL) provides notes on updates and fixes to its PERM online filing portal. By providing clear guidance on the latest enhancements and resolutions, DOL aims to streamline the online filing experience for employers, attorneys, and applicants alike.