December 2023 » ImmigrationUSA

Premium Processing

Premium Processing Fees Increasing in Feb 2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a filing fee increase for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, effective February 26, 2024.

December 28, 2023

F visa

Significant Change to Students Pursuing Green Card

USCIS issued a policy alert signaling a major shift in its long-established policy regarding F and M nonimmigrant student visa categories and their inability to pursue permanent residency while present in the United States under these visas.

December 22, 2023

immigration backlog

U.S. Immigration Backlog Exceeds 3 Million Cases

In November 2023, the case backlog in U.S. immigration courts surpassed 3 million open cases. This is an increase of approximately 1 million cases in the past year.

December 21, 2023

Domestic H-1B Visa Renewal

Details of H-1B Visa Domestic Renewal Pilot Program Released

Information about the procedures, process, and qualifications for the domestic renewal of H-1B visas is now available. The program is accepting only individuals holding H-1B visas issued within specific date ranges at U.S. consulates in India and Canada.

December 21, 2023

Foreign STEM

Department of Labor Opens Public Comment Period on Schedule A STEM Roles

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is considering possible changes to the employment certification process to try to simplify the hiring of foreign workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for U.S. companies.

December 20, 2023

Texas Governor

Texas Governor Abbott Makes Illegal Entry to Texas a State Offense

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three immigration-related bills, sparking legal controversy and criticism. The laws make it a state offense to enter the state without a legal basis. Individuals can be deported by state judges.

December 20, 2023

Chevron Deference

Support for the Chevron Doctrine Restated by U.S. Federal Government

Once again, the U.S. federal government is urging the Supreme Court to uphold the Chevron doctrine, allowing judges to defer to executive branch agency interpretations in rulemaking when faced with unclear laws.

December 19, 2023

January 2024 Visa Bulletin

January 2024 Visa Bulletin: Exciting EB-1 Advancement for India and Overall Promising Movement

The January 2024 Visa Bulletin shows advancement in the employment-based category, particularly for India. Overall, advancement in employment-based categories show promising movement.

December 14, 2023

FY 2024 H-1B Visa Cap

FY2024 H-1B Visa Cap Reached

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed the receipt of a sufficient number of petitions to reach both of the congressionally mandated limits for the H-1B visa program—65,000 for the regular cap and 20,000 for the advanced degree cap—for the current fiscal year. Therefore, there is no need for additional selections to meet the FY2024 H-1B visa cap.

December 14, 2023

Family-Based Visa

Important Update on Conditional Permanent Resident Status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the rules around Form I-751, which is used by conditional permanent residents to remove the conditions on their status.

December 12, 2023