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USCIS Announces Queens Office

On January 20, 2012, USCIS announced opening of newest field office at 27–35 Jackson Avenue, in Queens, New York. The office consists of waiting rooms, Application Support Center, naturalization ceremony room, interview and file rooms. The office is expected to service 500 people each day. Office hours are from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Related […]

USCIS Proposes Provisional Waiver Program for Unlawful Presence

On January 6, 2012, USCIS announced proposed regulatory changes in the processing of waivers of inadmissibility intended to significantly reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from spouses and children while family members are seeking immigrant visas. The purpose is to minimize bureaucratic delays separating family caused by waivers of inadmissibility for unlawful presence. The […]

USCIS Announces 18 Month Extension of TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras

USCIS announced an 18 month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Nicaragua and Honduras. TPS is extended through July 5, 2013. On November 4, 2011, USCIS published Federal Register notices (Honduras, Nicaragua) that provide additional guidance on re-registration eligibility requirements, fees and procedures, and when to file applications. About the Author Vishal […]

USCIS Announces 58 Countries Eligible for H-2A & H-2B

The Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the Department of State identified 58 countries whose nationals are eligible for the H-2A and H-2B programs. The H-2A program allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in agricultural jobs. The H-2B program allows foreign nationals to work in non-agricultural temporary, seasonal, and peak load jobs. Effective Jan. […]

USCIS Reaches FY 2012 H-1B Cap

On November 23, 2011, USCIS announced that it had reached the 65,000 statutory H-1B cap for fiscal year 2014 (FY-2012) on November 22, 2011. USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions for FY-2012 that are received after November 22, 2011. USCIS reached the 20,000 additional cap for advanced degree H-1B petitions on October 19, 2011. The H-1B […]

USCIS Announces Entrepreneurs in Residence Initiative

On October 11, 2011, USCIS announced an ““Entrepreneurs in Residence” initiative. The initiative is intended to create opportunities for USCIS to encourage economic growth by combining industry knowledge with USCIS expertise. The initiative will launch a series of informational summits with industry leaders to gather high-level strategic input. The initiative builds upon prior efforts to […]

DHS Announces 18 Month TPS Extension for Sudan and Designation for South Sudan

On October 13, 2011, DHS extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan for 18 months. She also designated the new Republic of South Sudan for TPS for 18 months. Both extension and the new designation are effective November 3, 2011 and will continue through May 2, 2013. All individuals seeking to obtain or maintain […]

Notes from the DBA Minority Attorney Program CLE

DALLAS, TEXAS — On April 12, 2013, Vishal Chander, Managing Attorney of The Chander Law Firm, spoke at the Dallas Bar Association Minority Attorney Program CLE on the intersections of Immigration Law with other areas of law practice. Mr. Chander gave a general outline of immigration issues that arise in the context of criminal law, […]

ALERT: Senators Unveil Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINTON, D.C. — On January 28, 2013, a bipartisan group of senators announced a proposed plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Michael Bennett (D-CO), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) unveiled a four point plan committing resources to […]