The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will once again open its doors to H-1B cap applications and considering that the applications for last fiscal year was 233,000, it is safe to assume that it will exceed this figure this year.
The release of the revised October 2015 Visa Bulletin on September 25, 2015 has incensed and infuriated thousands of immigrants expecting to benefit from the original October Visa Bulletin issued on September 9, 2015. The changes in the revised Visa Bulletin effectively excluded them from the immigration relief they stood to benefit under the original October Visa Bulletin.
Read more: Lawsuit Filed To Strike Down Revised Visa Bulletin
President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program and Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) continue to be held up in the courts. With the recent unfavorable ruling of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Obama administration has appealed to the United States Supreme Court on November 20, 2015.
Read more: Despite Latest DAPA Setback Immigrants Remain Hopeful
A U.S. citizen may file an immigrant petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for his alien parents to immigrate to the U.S. Parents, just like the spouse and the unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, are considered immediate relatives and need not wait for an immigrant visa number to become available once the I-130 petition is approved.
Read more: Parents’ Divorce Does Not Bar Step-parent Petition
An alien who is out of status, worked without authorization, or who entered the U.S. without inspection or as a crewman, is generally ineligible to adjust status. However, the alien may still obtain approval of his I-485 adjustment of status application if he can benefit from Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Read more: May a Derivative Beneficiary Adjust under Section 245(i)?
As part of the Obama administration’s efforts in modernizing our immigration system, the Department of State (DOS) has changed the procedure in determining visa availability for both the employment-based and family-based preference petitions.
Read more: Adjustment of Status May Be Filed Before Priority Date Is Current
Basic residence and physical presence requirements must be met in order to qualify for naturalization. The noncitizen applicant must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR). However, certain non-residents who served in the U.S. military are an exception and may qualify for U.S. citizenship.
Read more: Residence and Physical Presence Requirements for Naturalization
There are several ways to bring an adopted child to the U.S.
Read more: When Retroactive Adoption Is Valid for Immigration Purposes
A U.S. citizen may sponsor his alien spouse for a green card by filing Form I-130 petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS. Since the spouse of a U.S. citizen is considered an “immediate relative” for immigration purposes, a visa number is immediately available.
Non-citizens must remember not to make any false U.S. citizenship claims for any purpose, whether to obtain a visa, enter the United States, find employment, apply for public benefits, to register for or vote in an election. A false U.S. citizenship claim carries with it serious consequences.
Read more: False Claim to Citizenship Bars Adjustment of Status