File Now to Save! USCIS Publishes Proposed Filing Fee Increases!

On May 4, 2016, USCIS published a proposal to increase filing fees across the board to recoup the cost of processing immigration applications. UCIS filing fee amounts are reviewed every other year. USCIS last adjusted its fees in November 2010. The f… Read More
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How to Get a Social Security Number and Driver’s License After Receiving a Green Card or EAD

If you are a foreign national living in the U.S. and you recently applied for a green card or received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you may be wondering how to get a Social Security Number (SSN) or driver’s license. These documents a… Read More
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Should I Submit the Medical Exam with My Employment-Based I-485 Filing?

We are thrilled that dozens of our clients can file the I-485 application for adjustment of status as of October 1, even though the priority date is not yet current (see this post). Many of our clients are wondering if they should submit the medical… Read More
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October 2015 Visa Bulletin Madness (and Gladness): Priority Dates, Final Action Dates, Filing Dates, EADs and More – Oh My!

The October 2015 visa bulletin was recently published. While the new visa bulletin is much anticipated each month, this month’s visa bulletin brought a much anticipated, major change: it is now possible to file the I-485 application for permanent r… Read More
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Visa Bulletin Predictions for February 2014 and Beyond

The January 2014 visa bulletin was published this week. Sadly, it did not bring glad tidings of great joy, especially for India/EB-2. The Department of State’s Visa Office has recently provided the following information on recent demand in the empl… Read More
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December 2013 Visa Bulletin: China and the EB-2/EB-3 Categories – Is a Downgrade Possible?

The December visa bulletin shows that the priority date for China EB-2 is 11/8/2008, while the priority date for China EB-3 is 10/1/2011 – almost three years ahead! This is an unusual circumstance. Most of the time the EB-2 classification is a fast… Read More
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October 2013 Visa Bulletin: Change in Dates and Predictions for What’s Next

The October 2013 visa bulletin was recently published, and it brings both good and bad news. The bad news is that the F2A miracle has ended for now. That is, the F2A category for spouses and minor children of permanent residents has a cut-off date fo… Read More
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I-485 RFE Response Submitted: What’s Next?

As per my earlier post, USCIS issued many RFEs for pending employment-based I-485s (applications for adjustment of status, or green card applications) this summer in anticipation of the priority dates for those cases becoming current. We know that ou… Read More
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DOMA is Dead: Immigration Benefits for Lesbian and Gay Couples Now Available!

This week, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. This decision will impact thousands of benefits for same-sex couples, and one of particular interest to us is immigration benefits.… Read More
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Have You Received An I-485 RFE Recently?

Numerous immigration attorneys and green card applicants are reporting receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs), especially from the Texas Service Center, for pending I-485s. It seems the RFEs are requesting proof of continued employment authorization,… Read More
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