Insights

USCIS Processing Delays for H-1B Extension

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) has informed us that during a phone call today with USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS), the AILA SCOPS Liaison Committee once again raised the issue of lengthy processing times, noting in particular the hardships that are resulting from the H-1B extension processing backlog. SCOPS stated that it is aware of the issue and is working closely with service centers to work through the backlog. SCOPS promised an update on

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February 4, 2016

H-1B and L-1 Fees are Increasing

As per the FY2016 omnibus appropriations bill passed on December 18, 2015, the supplemental fees for L-1 and H-1B petitions are increasing for companies that employ 50 or more employees in the United States and have more than 50 percent of their U.S. workforce in H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B non-immigrant status. L-1 petitions will increase from $2,250 to $4,500H-1B petitions will increase from $2,000 to $4,000 These supplemental fees must be paid on initial and

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December 22, 2015

Delays in EAD/GreenCard Production

Many AILA members are reporting that there is a delay between receiving an approval on the EAD or Green Card (I-765 or I-485 respectively) and receiving the document/card in hand. According to USCIS, this delay is due to maintenance activities at the card production facility in Corbin, Kentucky. All card production work was transferred to the facility in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. As such, there is a backlog of cases in Lee’s Summit, and clients may

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August 29, 2015

H1B FY2016 Cap Update: Premium Processing begins April 27

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing for both Masters and Bachelor’s cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing on April 27, 2015. USCIS provides premium processing service for certain employment-based petitions and guarantees a 15-calendar-day processing time.

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April 14, 2015

USCIS: DACA Renewals Should Be Filed 150-120 Days Prior to Expiration

USCIS reminds applicants to submit DACA renewal requests between 120 and 150 days before the expiration date stated on the Form I-797 DACA approval notice and EAD. USCIS’s current goal is to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days. If your case has been pending for more than 104 days, you may want to inquiry with USCIS.

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January 21, 2015

Duplicate Biometrics Appointment Notices (Updated)

According to AILA, attorneys throughout the country have noted that clients have received a second biometrics appointment notice after receiving a initial notice and appearing for biometrics capture. AILA has contacted USCIS about this issue and we will provide an update shortly. >> UPDATE from AILA 9/30/2014: The Texas Service Center (TSC) has informed AILA that it is aware that duplicate biometrics notices are being sent to attorneys and/or clients and is working to correct

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September 30, 2014