Law Offices of Brian D. Lerner
Deportation Lawyers & Immigration Attorneys Helping Families Nationwide
USCIS announced that it will resume premium processing on February 19, 2019, for all H‑1B petitions filed on or before December 21, 2018. For pending H‑1Bs that have been transferred, a premium processing request must be submitted to the service center now handling the petition.
Following Congress’s approval of an appropriations bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY2019, President Trump took steps to declare a national emergency to get funds for a border wall.
DOS posted the Visa Bulletin for March 2019. In addition to the final action dates and dates for filing applications, the bulletin includes notes about diversity immigrant visas (DV), the Employment Fourth Preference Category for Certain Religious Workers (SR), and the Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5). USCIS determined that for March 2019, the Dates for Filing …
USCIS announced that a class was certified in Zhang v. USCIS that includes any individual with a Form I-526 that was or will be denied on the sole basis of investing loan proceeds that were not secured by the individual’s own assets. The notice includes details on how to contact USCIS to identify yourself if you believe you are a …
The Associated Press reports that House Democrats will file a resolution tomorrow aimed at blocking the national emergency declaration that President Trump issued to help finance a wall along the southwest border. According to The Hill, Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine is “strongly opposed” to the president’s declaration and supports the lawsuit filed by 16 states challenging the emergency declaration. Sen. Collins …
The Los Angeles Times reports that the administration’s controversial plan to shrink the ballooning backlog of immigration cases by pushing judges to hear more cases has failed
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announced a new briefing schedule for Matter of L‑E‑A‑, a decision he previously referred to himself for review of whether, and under what circumstances, an individual may establish persecution on account of membership in a “particular social group” based on membership in a family unit. He also announced a new briefing schedule for Matter of Castillo-Perez, …
The Hill reports that a coalition of civil liberties and immigration groups have raised concerns with congressional leadership about border technologies proposed as part of the bipartisan and bicameral negotiations to reach a border deal by February 15 to avoid another shutdown. According to the groups, surveillance drones, license plate readers, and DNA testing could raise serious …
The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the BIA’s denial of relief from removal after the petitioner argued that in light of Pereira v. Sessions, a Notice to Appear (NTA) lacking the time and date of the hearing was insufficient to vest jurisdiction with the immigration court. Citing Matter of Bermudez-Cota, the court held that even …
NBC reports that Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to CIS Ombudsman Julie Kirchner about “troubling reports” he had received that “raise significant questions” about whether she has “sufficient commitment” to the agency’s mission.
The Congressional Research Service issued a report about DHS’s Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the Remain in Mexico Policy, that discusses the rollout of the policy and provides analysis related to expedited removal, statutory authority for the policy, and other legal issues.
NAFTA was renegotiated and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is coming into full force. What does this mean for TN visas?
Texas Monthly reports on the initial implementation of the Trump administration’s Remain in Mexico policy, as well as the dangers that individuals seeking asylum in the United States face while they are in Mexico. If fully enforced, the new policy could result in tens of thousands of migrants waiting in Mexican border cities for their cases to …
USCIS announced that effective immediately, it will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters relating to current or future P nonimmigrant visa petitions directly from labor unions. This announcement follows a similar announcement made in September 2018 that USCIS would begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters relating to current or future O nonimmigrant visa petitions directly from …
Procedures related to secure identity documents issued by the agency, including how the agency delivers and tracks these documents and how requestors should request a replacement or reissuance of one. The guidance is effective today, is controlling, and supersedes any prior guidance on this matter. Comments are due by January 30, 2019.