USCIS New Fees to Take Effect April 1, 2024
USCIS has changed the filing fees for many immigration and naturalization forms. The new fees are meant to cover more of its operating costs and support quicker processing of new applications. These updated fees will become effective on April 1, 2024.
In addition to updated fees, USCIS will also release new versions of several forms. The new fees and forms will only start to be accepted after April 1, 2024.
For more information on the new fees, including a table detailing the changes for each form, please click here: USCIS – FAQs on the USCIS Fee Rule.
USCIS Now Requiring COVID Vaccine for Immigration Medical Examinations
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) has announced that all immigrant applicants required to undergo medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, starting October 1, 2021. The USCIS-approved civil surgeon will only be able to complete the medical examination and Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, once the applicant has been fully vaccinated.
DOS Announces Priority Tiers for Immigrant Visa Applications
The U.S. Department of State has announced a system to prioritize certain Immigrant Visa applications at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, in an effort to reduce the backlog of cases due to COVID-19 operational issues. Even with this system, however, the processing of cases at each U.S. Embassy or Consulate will still largely depend on local and country conditions and other government-imposed restrictions.
New Executive Order Suspends Certain Classes of Immigrants
President Trump has signed a new executive order titled “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak.” The most important thing to note is that this order has not made any major changes to the immigration system as it stands today.
Abbas Law During COVID-19
We would like to confirm that Abbas Law PLLC continues to operate during the COVID-19 crisis. We are no longer working from our office, but we are taking phone calls and e-mails as normal; and we continue to process cases with no interruption in service.
New Immigrant Health Care Rule Temporarily Blocked
A U.S. District Court judge in Portland, Oregon, has issued a 28-day temporary restraining order blocking the Trump Administration’s new rule on immigrant health care from going into effect on November 3, 2019. The judge cited the damage to would-be immigrants and their families in justifying the restraining order.
Social Media Inquiry Added to Online Visa Applications
Starting May 30, 2019, the U.S. Department of State updated the online Form DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application to include an inquiry into social media use. The new question asks applicants to indicate each social media platform they have used during the last five years and to provide their username for each one.
Abbas Law PLLC Achieves Form I-485 Approval
We are happy to share that Abbas Law PLLC recently achieved approval for a Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status filed by a foreign national in “U Status” for Victims of Criminal Activity! The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) issued the approval without any substantive Requests for Evidence (“RFEs”).
Abbas Law PLLC Achieves Form I-612 Approval
We are happy to share that Abbas Law PLLC recently achieved approval for a Form I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement filed by a foreign national who entered the United States through the J-1 Visa program! The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) issued the approval without any substantive Requests for Evidence (“RFEs”).
Travel Ban Goes into Effect Today
On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain aspects of the Trump Administration’s travel ban would take effect on December 8, 2017. The travel ban affects nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.