Keeping you informed on the latest immigration news.
State Dept. Issues Final Rule Allowing Certain Fee Exemptions
The Department of State (DOS) issued a final rule on January 19, 2022, amending its regulation governing immigrant visa (IV) fees to allow an exemption from such fees for certain applicants previously denied an immigrant visa pursuant to certain Presidential...
USCIS Notes ‘Exceptionally High Number’ of Employment-Based Green Cards Available This Fiscal Year
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued an alert noting that an "exceptionally high number" of employment-based green cards are available this fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022). USCIS said that it is committed, in "partnership...
Biden Administration Implements New Actions to Increase Opportunities for STEM Students, Professionals, Others
The Biden administration announced new actions to increase opportunities in the United States for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and professionals, among others. A White House statement said the new actions are intended to "advance...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Family Separation, Supreme Court Case
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by the Utica NY Observer-Dispatch in " 'Not to be there…is killing me': Professor Aches for Comatose Wife Stuck in Ethiopia." Mr. Yale-Loehr noted that both the pandemic and the United States' "broken"...
Miller Mayer Receives I-751 Green Card Approval for Client
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Kristal Ozmun recently received approval of an I-751 petition to remove conditions on permanent resident status without any requests for additional evidence for a client from Hungary. Many foreign nationals obtain their permanent...
USCIS To Hold Listening Session on L Petition Adjudications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will hold a listening session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET. The listening session is for stakeholders to provide feedback on modernizing and simplifying the regulations governing L petition...
Justice Dept. Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims With Frozen Food Company
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement agreement with Buddy’s Kitchen Inc., a Minnesota-based company that produces and distributes frozen foods. The settlement resolves claims that the company discriminated against non-U.S. citizens based on their...
USCIS Issues Reminder re Immigration Help Available for Natural Disasters, ‘Other Unforeseen Circumstances’
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a notice on January 12, 2022, reminding the public that the agency offers immigration services "that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters," including the Marshall fire...
February Visa Bulletin Warns of High Demand in Employment Fourth Category, Notes Upcoming Expiration of SR Religious Workers Categorystate
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for February 2022 notes that high demand in the employment fourth preference category may necessitate the establishment of a worldwide final action date in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under...
USCIS Clarifies Guidance on O-1 Nonimmigrants in Arts vs. Motion Pictures and Television
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified guidance on how the agency determines whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or...
