Extension of USCIS Office Closures
Giselle Carson Apr 5, 2020 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
Since March 18, in-person services have been suspended at USCIS application support centers (ASCs ), asylum offices, and field offices due to COVID-19. These closures are now extended until May 3 at least. USCIS offices are expected to reopen May 4 provided closures are not extended again. While the closures remain in place, employees will: engage in services that are considered “mission-essential” and include no in-person interaction with the public; offer limited emergency services; send […]
Continue ReadingUSCIS Sued to Seek Extensions of Expiring Legal Status
Giselle Carson Apr 5, 2020 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has refused many requests to temporarily toll deadlines and the expiration dates for foreign nationals legally present in the United States, including dates related to lawful status and work authorization. Last week, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) filed a lawsuit against USCIS to seek the temporary immediate suspension of immigration status expiration deadlines and the maintenance of status for nonimmigrants in the United States amid the COVID-19 pandemic. […]
Continue ReadingUSCIS Office Closures Extended
Giselle Carson Mar 29, 2020 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
USCIS has extended its suspension of in-person services at field offices until at least April 7. This will impact and further delay Biometric (fingerprinting) appointments, Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and Advance Parole (travel document) adjudications, Green Card and Naturalization interviews, Naturalization Ceremonies, and more. Learn more. To stay up-to-date on changes, subscribe to our Immigration News Bites. Subscribe
Continue ReadingUSCIS suspended in-person services at field offices until at least April 1. This will impact and further delay Biometric (fingerprinting) appointments, Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and Advance Parole (travel document) adjudications, Green Card and Naturalization interviews, Naturalization Ceremonies, and more. Learn more. If you have questions about this change, please reach out to the Marks Gray Immigration Team for assistance.
Continue ReadingPremium Processing Suspension for I-129 and I-140 Petitions
Giselle Carson Mar 21, 2020 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
On March 20, 2020, USCIS temporarily suspended premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to the pandemic. What If USCIS Already Accepted Your Request for Premium Processing? As of this writing, USCIS plans to continue with premium processing for those petitions that already have an accepted Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. What About Other Premium Processing Requests in Progress? For petitions mailed before March 20 that […]
Continue ReadingWhy the Huge Processing Delays?
Giselle Carson May 3, 2019 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
Nationwide millions of employers and people applying for work visas and green cards are waiting longer than ever for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and approve applications and petitions. Five years ago, an average case took about five months to process. By fiscal year 2018, that same employer waited nearly 10 months. Today, that wait can be 10 months to a year. Many factors are slowing down cases, including new USCIS’ policies […]
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