Immigration News Briefs
H-4 EAD Filings Start on May 26
Beginning May 26, 2015, the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) began accepting requests for H-4 EADs. This is a big change for spouses of H-1B visa holders, as they can begin working without having to apply for an H-1B visa. H-1B visas are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, due to the large demand and short supply of visas available each year. As of the date of this publication, USCIS still has not published FAQs for the H-4 EAD process and some questions are still lingering for potential applicants, such as filing for the EAD while an H-4 petition is pending (such as the cases filed in this year’s quota), or traveling while the EAD is pending.
Immigration relief measures for Nepalis
USCIS has several immigration relief measures that may be available to Nepali nationals who are affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015. This information is available at the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/immigration-relief-
measures-nepali-nationals.
Measures that may be available to eligible Nepali nationals upon request include:
• Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the U.S., even if the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;
• A grant of re-parole;
• Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
• Expedited adjudication and approval, where possible, of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
• Consideration for waivers of fees associated with USCIS benefit applications, based on an inability to pay; and
• Assistance replacing lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as Permanent Resident Cards (green cards).
Why aren’t I-94 cards issued upon arrival?
In 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) started an automated process of recording travel into the U.S. From that time on, travelers have not been receiving the traditional paper I-94s, but can pull up their I-94 information online. As evidence of lawful admission submitted with any immigration request or petition, USCIS will accept the electronic Form I-94 in paper format obtained from CBP’s website (www.cbp.gov/I94). This document is the equivalent of the paper versions of Form I-94 issued by CBP and USCIS. If you have any problems in accessing your I-94 (as is quite common), USCIS has stated that it will also accept photocopies of the passport pages that contain the traveler’s biographical information, visa, and admission stamp. These alternatives will allow applicants and petitioners more ways to provide proof of lawful U.S. entry in order to establish eligibility for certain USCIS benefits.
VISA PREFERENCE NUMBERS FOR June 2015
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Sep07 |
01Sep07 |
|
2A |
01Oct13 |
01Oct13 |
|
2B |
15Sep08 |
15Sep08 |
|
3rd |
22Feb04 |
22Feb04 |
|
4th |
08Sep02 |
08Sep02 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
01Oct08 |
Current |
|
3rd |
22Jan04 |
15Feb15 |
|
Other |
22Jan04 |
15Feb15 |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
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