Cincinnati Immigration Lawyer Blog

Important Information on Form I-129 H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B Petitions

Saturday, October 19 2013

If an H-1B, H-2A, or H-2B petitioner submits evidence establishing that the primary reason for failing to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request was due to the government shutdown, USCIS will consider the government shutdown as an extraordinary circumstance and excuse the late filing, if the petitioner meets all other applicable requirements.

Posted by: Christopher M. Pogue, Esq. AT 09:27 am | Permalink | Email

E-Verify Back Online

Friday, October 18 2013

E-Verify has resumed operations following the federal government shutdown. All E-Verify features and services are now available.

The following information addresses questions on how the federal government’s shutdown affected E-Verify and Form I-9.

Posted by: Christopher M. Pogue, Esq. AT 08:02 am | Permalink | Email

Special Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqi Nationals Who Worked For or On Behalf Of the U.S. Government Extended

Friday, October 11 2013

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces that Congress passed a bill extending the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Iraqi nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government, which the President signed into law on Oct. 4, 2013.

This program covers Iraqi nationals who—during the period between March 20, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2013—were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for a period of at least one year. It was created by section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, as amended by Public Law 110-242. The program had expired with respect to principal applicants on Sept. 30, 2013, but has now been extended.

The extension permits USCIS to approve petitions or applications for visas or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident in any Iraqi SIV case under section 1244 that were pending with USCIS or with the Department of State (DOS) when the program expired on Sept. 30, 2013. USCIS may also approve an additional 2,000 cases as long as the initial applications to the DOS Chief of Mission in Iraq are made by Dec. 31, 2013.

The authority to grant derivative SIV status to spouses and children of principal Iraqi SIVs did not sunset on Sept. 30, 2013, and is not numerically capped.

Posted by: Christopher M. Pogue, Esq. AT 08:49 am | Permalink | Email