Author Archive

USCIS Issues Policy Memo on Diversity Visa Adjustment Applications

8/23/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

USCIS has issued a policy memorandum stating that individuals may file their adjustment of status applications based on the advanced notification of Diversity Visa number availability as provided in the Visa Bulletin.Read More >

F2A Spouses & Children of Permanent Residents Becomes Current

7/22/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

The August 2013 Visa Bulletin shows that family-based 2A category, spouses & children of permanent residents, has now become current. The Visa Bulletin reads that ā€œF2A: This category has become ā€œCurrentā€ for August, and is expected to remain so for the next several months. This action has been taken in an effort to generate an […]Read More >

USCIS ‘Conversation’ on Electronic Immigration System Unveils New Document Library

7/16/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

On May 23, 2013, USCIS held a “conversation” on USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System) and the EB-5 program. USCIS noted that Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, will be the first of the EB-5 forms available for e-filing in ELIS. USCIS said that at a March 28 stakeholder teleconference, the agency heard concerns about […]Read More >

Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling Opens Door to Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses

7/16/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

About 30,000 same-sex binational couples may now be eligible for immigration benefits, such as permanent residence based on marriage, thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision on June 26, 2013, in United States v. Windsor, which struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. That law had prohibited the federal government from recognizing […]Read More >

USCIS Holds EB-5 ‘Town Hall’ on Immigration and Entrepreneurship

7/15/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

On May 8, 2013, USCIS held a “town hall” meeting to discuss the issues at the nexus of immigration law, entrepreneurship, and innovation, including “policies and practices to make the U.S. a welcoming place for innovation-driven entrepreneurs.” The program featured a panel from the local entrepreneurial community and Q&A time. Panelists included: Ā Alejandro Mayorkas, director, […]Read More >