Immigration News Briefs
Gathering social media information
The Department of Homeland Security is expanding
its data collection by requesting social media information
on applications for immigration benefits and foreign travel
to the U.S. Nine US Citizenship and Immigration Services
programs for immigration benefits will be affected, such as
applications for naturalization and asylum, as well as three
Customs and Border Protection forms: for visa waivers, visa
updates, and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
document (ESTA). The proposed changes are expected to
begin in 2020.
Applicants for foreign visas and applicants in the U.S. will be asked to list their social media accounts and usernames for the past five years, to determine whether an individual "poses a law enforcement or national security risk to the United States."
The agency says it will not collect passwords and will review only publicly available information.
In June of this year, the US State Department had updated forms for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants to request social media history, with usernames.
In August, USCIS updated its privacy policy, which said that it would allow the agency to use fake social media accounts or identities to identify threats and detect fraud in the immigration system.
Registration fee for for petition
USCIS has been implementing a registration system
for employers seeking to file cap-subject H-1B petitions.
This system would replace the current H-1B “lottery”
system. DHS will require employers to pay $10 for each
registration submitted.
Once the system is implemented, any U.S. employer planning to file a cap-subject H-1B petition would first be required to register electronically with the USCIS during a designated registration period. This may go into effect before the upcoming H-1B 2021 cap season, but the exact date is unknown.
Reopening pending deferral requests
USCIS is sending letters to reopen nonmilitary deferred
action cases that were pending on August 7.
On August 7, USCIS stopped its consideration of deferred action for non-military requestors. At that time, USCIS sent out letters informing those who had requested deferred action that USCIS was no longer entertaining such requests. Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer the deportation of an individual who is illegally present in the United States as an act of prosecutorial discretion on a case-by-case basis. Those denied requests that were pending on August 7 did not have removal orders pending, and have not been targeted for deportation.
Deferred action related to military members and DACA was not affected by the August 7 action, and consideration of such cases is ongoing. Deferred action does not grant an alien lawful immigration status, nor does it excuse any past or future periods of unlawful presence.
APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR October 2019
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
15Jan13 |
15Jan13 |
|
2A |
Current |
Current |
|
2B |
01Jun14 |
01Jun14 |
|
3rd |
15Sep07 |
15Sep07 |
|
4th |
01Oct04 |
22Nov06 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Jan15 |
22Apr18 |
|
2nd |
12May09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Jan09 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Jan09 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
22Nov17 |
Current1B |
DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - October 2019
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
15Jul13 |
15Jul13 |
|
2A |
01Aug19 |
01Aug19 |
|
2B |
01Dec14 |
01Dec14 |
|
3rd |
15Mar08 |
15Mar08 |
|
4th |
01Jun05 |
15May07 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
15Mar17 |
01Jul19 |
|
2nd |
01Jul09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Feb10 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Feb10 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
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