Substantial Increase in Premium Processing Fees while Prescribed Scope Expansions are Yet to be Implemented

USCIS recently announced that the premium processing fee for L-1, H1B, and some other immigrant visa petitions increased from $1440 to $2500 effective on October 19, 2020. For I-129 forms filed for H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status, the new premium pro...

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The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert on October 23, saying that the mission received some credible reports of possible coming terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Istanbul, including against the U.S. Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey. and Halts Visa Services

The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert on October 23, saying that the mission received some credible reports of possible coming terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Istanbul, including against th...

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U.S. Federal Judge Mehta Partially Blocked the Presidential Proclamation

As known, a previous proclamation issued by President Trump barred green card applicants, diversity visa lottery winners, and other foreign guest workers from entering the U.S. A recent order by a federal judge has partially blocked the proclamation...

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Substantial Changes to Employment Authorization Document Procedures for Asylum Seekers Beginning on August 25, 2020

The new rule released by the Department of Homeland Security was published on Federal Register on June 26, 2020, and brings substantial restrictions for those who apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and asylum in the US concomitantly....

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The US State Department Finalizes Selection of FY 2021 Diversity Visa Lottery Winners

The State Department has announced the completion of the selection process for FY 2021 DV Lottery, aka Green Card Lottery, which had been postponed before due to the delays emanating from COVID-19 Pandemic....

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Recent Executive Order Signed By President Trump Restricts Certain Forms of Immigration to the US: Scope & Exclusions

While COVID 19 Pandemic and its subsequent startling consequences continue to challenge almost all well-settled societal and governmental practices around the World, another one as part of the administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis came ...

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Extension of the Current COVID-19 Accommodations on Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, Appeals and Other Responses

In response to the existing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain: • Requests for Evidence (RFE); • Continuations to...

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New Laws in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

Several laws and regulations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak have been passed. Some of them are as follows: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and Coronavirus Aid, Reli...

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New PPP Loan Application Form is Issued: Citizenship or LPR is No Longer Required

On April 3, 2020, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) posted the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Borrower Application Form on its website. Apparently, the citizenship or permanent residency requirement was removed from the form. ...

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Tax Recovery Rebates, Charitable Donations, and Coronavirus-Related IRA Distributions

In one of its most notable provisions, the CARES Act provides for direct payments to taxpayers with social security numbers. Beginning in 2020, “eligible individual” taxpayers will receive a tax credit equal to the sum of $1,200 for single filers ($2...

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