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Immigration News Briefs

Provided by Humera Subhani Email Provided by Humera Subhani
June 2020
Immigration News Briefs

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website states the following: “As of March 18, USCIS has temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3, 2020, to help slow the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). USCIS staff will continue to perform mission critical duties that do not involve contact with the public.”
Please note that USCIS centers are still open and processing cases, although many attorneys have experienced delays in receiving notices, etc., as centers may be short-staffed. Also, all interviews and biometrics are in the process of being canceled and rescheduled for a later date.
We anticipate that the closure will be extended, and will update this situation in Khabar.


Delays in Extension/Change of Status Filings
Generally, nonimmigrants must depart the United States before their authorized period of admission expires. However, in view of the circumstances, USCIS is allowing the following:


Apply for an Extension: Most nonimmigrants can mitigate the immigration consequences of Covid-19 by timely filing an application for extension of stay (EOS) or change in status (COS). USCIS continues to accept and process applications and petitions, and many of their forms are available for online filing.


If You File in a Timely Manner: Nonimmigrants generally do not accrue unlawful presence while the timely filed, non-frivolous EOS/COS application is pending. Where applicable, employment authorization with the same employer, subject to the same terms and conditions of the prior approval, is automatically extended for up to 240 days after I-94 expiration when an extension of stay request is filed on time.


Flexibility for Late Applications: USCIS reminds petitioners and applicants that it can consider delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic when deciding whether to excuse delays in filing documents based on extraordinary circumstances. Under current regulations and as noted on USCIS website’s “Special Situations” page, if a petitioner or applicant files an extension of stay or change of status request (on Forms I-129 or I-539) after the authorized period of admission expires, USCIS, in its discretion, may excuse the failure to file on time if it was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as those that may be caused by Covid-19.


Flexibility for Visa Waiver Entrants: Visa Waiver Program (VWP) entrants are not eligible to extend their stay or change status. However, under current regulations, if an emergency (such as Covid-19) prevents the departure of a VWP entrant, USCIS in its discretion may grant a
period of satisfactory departure for up to 30 days.

APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR ​June 2020

 

FAMILY

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

22May14

22May14

2A

Current

Current

2B

​15Mar15

15Mar15

3rd

​15Apr08

15Apr08

4th

​22Jan05

​08Aug06

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

​08Jun16

Current

2nd

​12Jun09

Current

3rd

​01Apr09

08Nov17

Other

​01Apr09

​08Nov17

4th

Current

Current

5th

​01Jan20

Current1B

 


DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - ​June 2020

 

 

FAMILY

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

​15Feb15

15Feb15

2A

​01May20

​01May20

2B

​01Dec15

01Dec15

3rd

​15Mar09

15Mar09

4th

​01Oct05

31Jul07

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

15Mar17

Current

2nd

01Jul09

Current

3rd

01Feb10

01Apr19

Other

01Feb10

​01Apr19

4th

Current

Current

5th

Current

Current1B

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/20​20/visa-bulletin-for-​june-2020.html


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