CIS Ombudsman Announces New Features to Improve Case Assistance Request Experience
The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman announced its finalization of new features designed to improve the experience of those requesting case assistance. The changes affect the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form 7001, Request for Case Assistance, and will introduce new features for uploading documents and checking on the status of requests. The new features include:
- A progress bar to help individuals to determine how much of the form has been completed;
- Sections that adapt the questions based on an individual's answers;
- Alerts indicating missing information; and
- A screen for review and editing answers before submission.
Contact us with questions about requesting case assistance.
June 2024 Visa Bulletin Shows Limited Movement in Employment-Based Categories
In issuing it June 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Department of State indicated that employment-based filers must use the Final Action Chart. Apart from the EB-3 India category, which advanced only 7 days to August 22, 2012, the Final Action Chart remained unchanged as compared to the May 2024 Visa Bulletin. Disappointingly, the DOS has indicated that the high demand in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories “will most likely necessitate retrogression of the worldwide final action date (including Mexico and Philippines) in the next month to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2024 annual limit.” In other words, in the immediate future, the wait-time for submitting a green card application is unlikely to get any shorter.
Contact us with questions about the Visa Bulletin.
Client Flyer: Overview of Nonimmigrant Visa Processing
Generally, to enter the United States for a specific purpose, individuals must obtain a visa. Specific purposes include entering the country to study (F-1) or work (H-1B, O-1, TN, L-1, etc). The process of obtaining a visa is not straightforward. We have attached a helpful flyer that explains nonimmigrant visa processing. Need a hyperlink here.
Please contact us with questions about nonimmigrant visa processing.
Client Flyer: Understanding Travel Risks for DACA Holder
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) holders are eligible for Advance Parole, or temporary permission to travel, in only three circumstances: for a humanitarian purpose, such as attending a funeral; for educational purposes, such as participating in a study abroad program; and for employment-related travel, such as attending conferences or client meetings. Because travel for DACA holders is not straightforward, we have attached a helpful flyer that explains the risks. Need hyperlink here.
Also on the DACA front, NBC News reports that, under a new federal rule, more than 100,000 young immigrants protected by DACA will soon become eligible to receive federal healthcare coverage for the first time since DACA’s inception. The rule allows DACA recipients to enroll in qualified health plans through the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace (also known as Obamacare).
Please contact us with questions about DACA.
PartnerAbigail Walsh has over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of immigration matters. She represents multinational and domestic corporations, their employees and private individuals in business immigration matters before U.S ...
PartnerVictoria Donoghue has an extensive background in immigration law, advising clients on the full range of issues related to employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Her experience includes handling complex Requests for ...