#changes and updates

see ⬇️

I did not get an entry stamp on my passport. Should I be worried?

Beginning April 2022, CBP implemented “Simplified Arrival” at all 238 arriving airports, at 34 seaports, and at all southern pedestrian and most northern secondary land ports and as of June 2022, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed the complete integration at all international airpots in the United States. As of March 2022, all current I-94s and history for land entries are now entered into the I-94 online system, and CBP has stopped issuing paper I-94s altogether. This means that if you arrived in the United States after that date, you may not have received a stamp on your passport.

What is CBP’s Simplified Arrival Pilot Program?

Simplified Arrival is an enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admission into the United States. It provides travelers a touchless process that further secures and streamlines international arrivals while fulfilling a longstanding Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. citizens. This process is expected to save time during the inspection process.

Without an entry stamp, how can I prove that I legally arrived in the United States?

This new program has posed some issues with clients who need documentation to show their proof of legal entry. Many immigration applications (including green card applications) continue to require submission of documentation showing that applicants have entered legally and have been inspected and admitted by an CBP officer at a port of entry. Traditionally, the entry stamp in the foreign national’s passport (and previously, the paper copy of the I-94) has been used to document a valid entry.

It also poses a significant challenge for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), commonly referred to as “Green Card Holders.” LPR entries are not tracked in the CBP I-94 online system, which can become an issue at the naturalization stage where LPRs have the burden of proof for documenting absences.

With this new development, we recommend to our clients the following:

Ask the CBP Officer if they can stamp your passport upon entry and explain that you need this stamp as proof of your legal entry. However, not all officers are complying with such requests.

It should be regular practice to download your I-94 and check the accuracy of your Travel History each time you enter the United States. You can obtain your I-94 and Travel History here. If there are any errors or issues with your I-94 and Travel History, you should immediately seek to get it corrected.

We especially recommend that LPRs request an ink stamp upon each admission to the United States. Attorneys should be recommending that clients keep contemporaneous evidence of international travel such as itineraries, flight status emails, hotel, and other travel receipts.

If you are affected by this development and have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up an in-depth consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news.

RELATED CONTENT:

When does my E-2 Status Expire in the U.S.-- the I-94 Date or the Visa Expiration?

5 Tips for Correcting Errors on your I-94

News Alert: USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with a Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829

What is the H-1B visa?

The H-1B Visa is a visa for foreign nationals with a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent work experience) and a U.S. employer that will hire this person in a specialty occupation, including fashion models of distinguished merit & ability and those working for Department of Defense projects. The petitioning U.S. employer must demonstrate that the worker will be paid the actual or prevailing wage.

What is the application process?

Sign up for the Electronic Registration Process. Petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, will first have to electronically register with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay the $10.00 registration fee during the designated registration period.

USCIS will conduct its randomized selection. When USCIS has determined that it has received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to reach the H-1B numerical allocations (limits the annual number of qualifying foreign workers who may be issued a visa or otherwise be provided H-1B status to 65,000 with an additional 20,000 under the H-1B advanced degree exemption) they will conduct their randomized selection process to determine who may submit H-1B applications.

Registration Selection Notification. After the randomized selection is completed, the petitioner’s USCIS online account will show one of the following statuses for each registration:

Submitted: The registration has been submitted and is eligible for selection. If the initial selection process has been completed, this registration remains eligible, unless subsequently invalidated, for selection in any subsequent selections for the fiscal year for which it was submitted.

Selected: Selected to file an H-1B cap petition.

Not Selected: Not selected – not eligible to file an H-1B cap petition based on this registration.

Denied: Multiple registrations were submitted by or on behalf of the same registrant for the same beneficiary. If denied as a duplicate registration, all registrations submitted by or on behalf of the same registrant for this beneficiary for the fiscal year are invalid.

Invalidated-Failed Payment: A registration was submitted but the payment method was declined, not reconciled, disputed, or otherwise invalid.

Filing of the Labor Condition Application (LCA): The employer must apply for and receive DOL certification of an LCA, which is a document attesting that they will pay the foreign worker the prevailing wage in the occupation.

Employer Submits Completed Form I-129 to USCIS. The employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the correct USCIS service center with the LCA and other supporting documentation.

Prospective Workers Outside the United States Apply for Visa and/or Admission. Once the Form I-129 petition has been approved, the prospective H-1B worker who is outside the United States may apply with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for an H-1B visa. If the prospective worker is in the United States, their status will change to H-1B upon approval of the petition. Approved beneficiaries may work in the U.S. for up to three years and may be extended up to six years.

What’s new?

To avoid duplicate entries, starting FY 2023, USCIS has added duplicate checker functionality to the electronic registration process. Before you submit your registration(s), you can check if the registrant named in the draft submission previously submitted a registration for any of the beneficiaries included in that draft submission for the same fiscal year. USCIS also provides a tool to download a .csv file and search for duplicate entries. Duplicate entries will result in a denial so it is important to make sure that only one entry is submitted for each beneficiary.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has approved a temporary increase in the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $39,999.99 per day for the FY 2024 H-1B cap season. This temporary increase is in response to the volume of previous H-1B registrations that exceeded the daily credit card limit.  Additional information will be provided before the start of the initial H-1B registration period.

What is the H-1B process timeline?

Feb. 21: Petitioners and registrants can begin creating H-1B registrant accounts at noon Eastern.

March 1: H-1B registration period opens at noon Eastern.

March 17: H-1B registration period closes at noon Eastern.

March 31: Date by which USCIS intends to notify selected registrants.

April 1: The earliest date that FY 2024 H-1B cap-subject petitions may be filed.

If you are thinking of applying for the H-1B visa and have questions, please contact us. We are here to help. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Tumblr for up-to-date immigration news.

RELATED CONTENT:

Didn't get picked in the lottery? Here are 5 Alternatives to the H-1B Work Visa

What is the B in lieu of H-1B visa?

The H-1B Work Visa Application

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. This change started on January 11, 2023, for Form I-829 and on January 25, 2023, for Form I-751.

Why is USCIS extending the validity period?

USCIS is making this change to accommodate current processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829, which have increased over the past year, with the average processing time for I-751 at all field offices at an all-time high of 32.5 months upon receipt of application and 61 months for I-829 processed at the Immigrant Investor Program Office as of date of publication.

What’s changed?

USCIS has updated the language on Form I-751 and Form I-829 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for 48 months for individuals with a newly filed Form I-751 or Form I-829. It will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents who previously received notices with an extension shorter than 48 months and whose cases are still pending.

In September of 2021, USCIS piloted a similar program to address the growing backlogs at its field offices due to covid and employee layoffs.

Will I be able to work and travel abroad while I wait for the adjudication of my application?

Yes. The receipt notices issued by USCIS can be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status, while the case remains pending. By presenting your updated receipt notice with your expired Green Card, you remain authorized to work and travel for 48 months from the expiration date on the front of your expired Green Card.

If you are affected by this development and have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us for a comprehensive consultation. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news.

RELATED CONTENT:

Form I-751: Removal of Conditions for 2-year Conditional Green Card (Conditional Residence)

Top 10 FAQ on marriage-based green card applications

5 Tips for your Marriage-based Green Card Application

El 12 de octubre de 2022, Estados Unidos anunció un nuevo proceso que permite a los ciudadanos venezolanos y sus familiares inmediatos venir a Estados Unidos, proporcionando una forma segura y ordenada para los ciudadanos de Venezuela que se encuentran fuera de Estados Unidos y carecen de documentos de entrada a Estados Unidos para ser considerado, caso por caso, para una autorización anticipada para viajar y un período temporal de libertad condicional de hasta 2 años por razones humanitarias urgentes y un beneficio público significativo.

 ¿Cómo Participo En Este Programa?

Para participar en este proceso, los ciudadanos venezolanos deben:

 Tener un garante o persona responsable por el aplicante en los Estados Unidos;

Someterse y aprobar una sólida investigación de seguridad;

Cumplir con otros criterios de elegibilidad; y

Ameritan un ejercicio favorable de la discrecionalidad.

 ¿Quién Califica Para Unirse Al Programa?

Un ciudadano venezolano (o un miembro de su familia inmediata) que se encuentra fuera de los Estados Unidos y que puede ser considerado para libertad condicional bajo este proceso. Los miembros de la familia inmediata incluyen: el cónyuge o pareja de hecho de un nacional de Venezuela; y sus hijos solteros menores de 21 años.

Se Necesita Un Garante Basado En Ee. Uu.

Las personas que participan en el proceso deben tener un apoyo en los Estados Unidos que acepte brindarles apoyo financiero durante la duración de su libertad condicional en los Estados Unidos. Ejemplos de personas que cumplen con el requisito de favorecedor incluyen:

Ciudadanos  estadounidenses y nacionales;

Residentes permanentes legales, residentes temporales legales y residentes permanentes condicionales;

No inmigrantes en estatus legal (que mantienen su estatus de no inmigrante y no han violado ninguno de los términos o condiciones de su estatus de no inmigrante);

Asilados, refugiados y personas en libertad condicional;

Titulares de Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS); y

Beneficiarios de acción diferida (incluida la acción diferida para los llegados en la infancia).

 ¿Cuál Es El Proceso?

El primer paso en el proceso es que el garante con sede en los EE. UU. presente un Formulario I-134, Declaración de apoyo financiero, ante el USCIS para cada ciudadano venezolano o miembro de la familia inmediata que busca apoyar, incluidos los niños menores. Luego, el gobierno de los EE. UU. Examinará al partidario para asegurarse de que pueda apoyar financieramente a los ciudadanos venezolanos a los que está de acuerdo en apoyar.

Luego, después de que los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU. confirmen al Partidario, el beneficiario recibirá un correo electrónico de USCIS con instrucciones para confirmar que cumple con los requisitos de salud pública, incluidos ciertos requisitos de vacunación.

Después de confirmar la información biográfica en myUSCIS y completar las certificaciones de elegibilidad requeridas, el beneficiario recibirá instrucciones a través de myUSCIS sobre cómo acceder a la aplicación móvil CBP One. El beneficiario debe ingresar su información biográfica en CBP One y proporcionar una foto.

El beneficiario recibirá un aviso en su cuenta de myUSCIS que confirmará si CBP le proporcionará una autorización previa para viajar a los Estados Unidos para solicitar una concesión discrecional de libertad condicional según cada caso. Si se aprueba, esta autorización es válida por 90 días.

Cuando un beneficiario llega a un puerto de entrada, CBP lo inspeccionará y lo considerará para otorgarle un permiso discrecional caso por caso. Como parte de la inspección, los beneficiarios se someterán a una evaluación y verificación adicional, para incluir una verificación biométrica de huellas dactilares adicional de acuerdo con el proceso de inspección de CBP.

Las personas a las que se les otorga la libertad condicional en virtud de este proceso, por lo general, recibirán libertad condicional en los Estados Unidos por un período de hasta 2 años, sujeto a los requisitos de investigación y de salud aplicables, y serán elegibles para solicitar una autorización de empleo según las reglamentaciones existentes. Las personas pueden solicitar autorización de trabajo de USCIS presentando un Formulario I-765, Solicitud de Autorización de Empleo.

¿Qué Más Debo Saber?

Los beneficiarios son responsables de asegurar su propio viaje por vía aérea a los Estados Unidos. La aprobación de una autorización anticipada para viajar no garantiza la entrada o la libertad condicional a los Estados Unidos en un puerto de entrada de los Estados Unidos. La libertad condicional es una determinación discrecional realizada por CBP en el puerto de entrada, con base en la conclusión de que la libertad condicional está justificada debido a razones humanitarias urgentes o un beneficio público significativo.

Las personas que se determine que representan una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o la seguridad pública, o que de otro modo no justifiquen la libertad condicional como una cuestión de discreción luego de la inspección, serán procesadas bajo una vía de procesamiento adecuada y pueden ser remitidas al Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU.

Las personas deben poseer un pasaporte válido para viajes internacionales, incluidos los bebés;

Deben estar fuera de los Estados Unidos; actualmente no existe un programa de libertad condicional en el lugar para los venezolanos que ya están presentes en los Estados Unidos.

El beneficiario principal no puede ser residente permanente o con doble nacionalidad de ningún país que no sea Venezuela, y no tener actualmente la condición de refugiado en ningún país;

Los niños menores de 18 años deben viajar a los Estados Unidos bajo el cuidado y la custodia de sus padres o tutores legales.

Es posible que no se haya ordenado la expulsión de los individuos de los Estados Unidos en los últimos 5 años o que no estén sujetos a una prohibición basada en una orden de expulsión anterior;

Las personas no pueden haber cruzado irregularmente a los Estados Unidos, entre puertos de entrada, después del 19 de octubre de 2022;

Las personas no pueden haber cruzado ilegalmente las fronteras de México o Panamá después del 19 de octubre de 2022.

Si se ve afectado por este desarrollo y tiene preguntas o inquietudes, comuníquese con nosotros para programar una consulta. ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar! Síganos en Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn o Tumblr para mantenerse al día con las noticias de inmigración.

CONTENIDO RELACIONADO: 

¿Qué Es El Documento De Autorización De Empleo (EAD)?

¿Dónde Puedo Trabajar Con Un Documento De Autorización De Empleo (Ead)? ¿Puede Un Empleador No Contratarme Por No Ser Residente Legal Permanente O Ciudadano Estadounidense?

Que es la 245 (i)? Como le ayuda a un individuo indocumentado obtener la residencia?

On Oct. 12, 2022, the United States announced a new process allowing Venezuelan nationals and their immediate family members to come to the United States providing a safe and orderly way for nationals of Venezuela who are outside the United States and lack U.S. entry documents to be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advance authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to 2 years for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit.

How do I participate in this program?

To participate in this process, Venezuelan nationals must:

Have a supporter in the United States;

Undergo and clear robust security vetting;

Meet other eligibility criteria; and

Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.

Who qualifies to join the program?

A Venezuelan national (or their immediate family member) who is outside the United States and who may be considered for parole under this process. Immediate family members include: the spouse or common-law partner of a national of Venezuela; and their unmarried child(ren) under the age of 21.

U.S.-based supporter needed

Individuals participating in the process must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their parole in the United States. Examples of individuals who meet the supporter requirement include:

U.S. citizens and nationals;

Lawful permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, and conditional permanent residents;

Nonimmigrants in lawful status (who maintain their nonimmigrant status and have not violated any of the terms or conditions of their nonimmigrant status);

Asylees, refugees, and parolees;

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders; and

Beneficiaries of deferred action (including deferred action for childhood arrivals) or DED.

What is the process?

The first step in the process is for the U.S.-based supporter to file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS for each Venezuelan national or immediate family member they seek to support, including minor children. The U.S. government will then vet the supporter to ensure that they are able to financially support the Venezuelan nationals they are agreeing to support.

Next, after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirms the Supporter, the beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS with instructions to confirm that they meet public health requirements, including certain vaccination requirements.

After confirming biographic information in myUSCIS and completing required eligibility attestations, the beneficiary will receive instructions through myUSCIS on how to access the CBP One mobile application. The beneficiary must enter their biographic information into CBP One and provide a photo.

The beneficiary will receive a notice in their myUSCIS account confirming whether CBP will provide them with advance authorization to travel to the United States to seek a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis. If approved, this authorization is valid for 90 days.

When a beneficiary arrives a port of entry, CBP will inspected them and consider them for a grant of discretionary parole on a case-by-case basis. As part of the inspection, beneficiaries will undergo additional screening and vetting, to include additional fingerprint biometric vetting consistent with the CBP inspection process.

Individuals granted parole under this process generally will be paroled into the United States for a period of up to 2 years, subject to applicable health and vetting requirements, and will be eligible to apply for employment authorization under existing regulations. Individuals may request work authorization from USCIS by filing a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

What else should I know?

Beneficiaries are responsible for securing their own travel via air to the United States. Approval of advance authorization to travel does not guarantee entry or parole into the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Parole is a discretionary determination made by CBP at the port of entry, based on a finding that parole is warranted due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Individuals who are determined to pose a national security or public safety threat, or otherwise not warrant parole as a matter of discretion upon inspection, will be processed under an appropriate processing pathway and may be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Individuals must possess a passport valid for international travel, including infants;

They must be outside the United States; there is currently no parole-in-place program for Venezuelans who are already present in theUnited States.

Principal beneficiary cannot be a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than Venezuela, and not currently hold refugee status in any country;

Children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the United States in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.

Individuals may not have been ordered removed from the United States within the past 5 years or be subject to a bar based on a prior removal order;

Individuals may not have crossed irregularly into the United States, between ports of entry, after Oct. 19, 2022;

Individuals may not have unlawfully crossed the Mexican or Panamanian borders after Oct. 19, 2022.

If you are affected by this development and have questions or concerns, please contact us to set up a consultation. We are here to help! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Tumblr for up-to-date immigration news.

RELATED CONTENT:

Alerta de noticias: Venezuela obtiene la designación de TPS hasta septiembre de 2022

Preguntas frecuentes: ¿Qué es el estado de protección temporal (TPS)? ¿Cómo solicito el TPS?

Frequently Asked Questions: What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? How do I apply for TPS?

What is the Public Charge Inadmissibility?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which will go in effect on December 23, 2023 which means that it will apply to applications postmarked on or after that date.

When you apply to be admitted into the United States or become a lawful permanent resident, USCIS can deny your application if it determines that you are “likely to become a public charge”—meaning you depend primarily on the government to support yourself. The final rule sets out how USCIS will make this determination.

What USCIS Will Look At?

Under the final rule, USCIS will determine if you are likely to become a public charge based on the following:

Your age, health, family status, financial status (including assets and resources), education, and skills;

Whether a sponsor has submitted Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, for you (when required); and

Whether you have received or are receiving:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI);

Cash assistance for income maintenance under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);

State, tribal, territorial, or local cash benefit programs for income maintenance (often called “General Assistance”); or

Long-term institutionalization at government expense.

What USCIS Will Not Look At?

Under the new rule, USCIS will NOT consider the following when making a public charge determination:

Benefits received by your family members;

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other nutrition programs benefits;

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits;

Medicaid (other than long-term institutionalization at government expense);

Housing benefits;

Any benefits related to immunizations or testing for communicable diseases; or

Other supplemental or special-purpose benefits.

Are all Applicants Affected by this Change?

Under U.S. immigration law, public charge inadmissibility does not affect or apply to the following applicants:

Already a lawful permanent resident (in most cases);

A refugee;

An asylee;

Applying for or re-registering for Temporary Protected Status;

A special immigration juvenile; or

Applying for or have T, U, or Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) status.

If you are affected by this development and have questions or concerns, please contact us to set up a consultation. We are here to help! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Tumblr for up-to-date immigration news.

RELATED CONTENT:

Documents required to prove a bona fide marriage

5 Tips for your Marriage-based Green Card Application

Top 10 FAQ on marriage-based green card applications