USCIS set to increase the Filing Fees from October 2, 2020
On August 3, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized changes to the fees U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges for various immigration applications. In sum, DHS is increasing fees drastically, adding a new $50 fee for asylum applications, limiting fee waivers, slightly discounting fees for forms currently available for online filing, and charging separate fees for Forms I-765 and I-131 when filed with a pending or concurrently filed Form I-485. These changes are effective October 2, 2020—thus, any application, petition, or request postmarked on this date or later must include payment of the fees established by DHS’s final fee rule. Note that litigation may impact the effective […]
The new Asylum based Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Rules
On August 21, 2020, USCIIS put in effect a new rules which changed among other things, the EAD clock for asylum seekers. The rules increased waiting time from 150 days to 365 for an asylum applicant to be eligible to apply for an initial EAD. The rules apply to those who applied for asylum on or after March 28, 2020. The new rules will: • Increase the waiting time from 150 days to 365 days for an asylum applicant to be eligible to apply for an initial EAD. This will apply to any asylum seeker who has not accrued 150 days on their “clock” before August 25. The new rule […]
Trump Administration Expands Ban on Legal Immigration and Restricts Employment Authorization for Asylum Seekers
President Trump issued a proclamation continuing Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020, and suspending and limiting the entry of any individual seeking entry pursuant to any of the following nonimmigrant visas: (a) an H-1B or H-2B visa, and any individual accompanying or following to join such individual; (b) a J visa, to the extent the individual is participating in an intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program, and any individual accompanying or following to join such individual; and (c) an L visa, and any individual accompanying or following to join such individual. The proclamation shall apply only to any individual who: (i) is outside the […]
Trump signs another executive order banning immigration into the U.S. for 60 days with Exceptions
Trump signed a proclamation that becomes effective on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM (ET), and suspends the entry of any individual seeking to enter the U.S. as an immigrant who: ● Is outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation; ● Does not have a valid immigrant visa on the effective date; and ● Does not have a valid official travel document (such as a transportation letter, boarding foil, or advance parole document) on the effective date, or issued on any date thereafter that permits travel to the United States to seek entry or admission. The following categories are exempted from the proclamation: 1. Lawful […]