USCIS Immigration Medical Exam When applying for a green card, i.e., adjustment of status, in the United States, applicants must submit a sealed medical examination. The immigration medical exam must be performed by a doctor who is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), i.e., a “designated civil surgeon.”[i] Individuals must bring the following […]
On September 1, 2020, an immigration lawyer of Lally Immigration Services represented a couple at a joint I-751/N-400 interview at the USCIS Lawrence Field Office. During your naturalization interview, the applicant was asked the following questions regarding U.S. history and government topics: What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? What ocean […]
U.S. Department of State Announces Consular Posts Will Resume Fiancé Visa Application Processing On August 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) announced that consular posts will resume fiancé visa application processing as local conditions and resources allow. [i] Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updates on […]
Lawsuit Challenging the New USCIS Fee Increase Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) announced that it has partnered with the law firm of Sidley Austin, LLP to file a lawsuit seeking an emergency nationwide injunction of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) new Fee Rule, which is set to go into effect on October 2, […]
Visa Bulletin for September 2020 The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) posted the September 2020 visa bulletin.[i] As of August 19, 2020, USCIS has not advised whether in September 2020, it will accept adjustment of status applications for family– or employment-based petitions based on filing dates or final action dates.[ii] USCIS anticipates that this information will […]
Injunction of the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule On July 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) enjoined the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) from enforcing, applying, implementing, or treating as effective the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule for any period during which there […]
DS 160 Fiance Visa What is a Fiancé Visa? Fiancé visas are nonimmigrant visas for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States to marry their U.S. citizen partner. Fiancé visas are available for same-sex couples. Eligibility Fiancé visas are only available for the foreign fiancé of a United States citizen. Eligibility for […]
N400 Form Citizenship Application Fee Increase (by 83%) On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests.[i] To apply for citizenship by paper, applicants will soon face an 83% increase in filing fee; from $640 to $1,170.[ii] To apply for citizenship […]
USCIS Fee Increase On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests.[i] The fee adjustment ensures that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recovers its costs of services.[ii] Some of the final fees are summarized below: Immigration Benefit Request Current Fee […]
Adjustment of Status (Form I-130 > Form I-485) and the Visa Bulletin for August 2020 The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin to advise on immigrant visa (I-130 and I-140) availability. The Visa Bulletin summarizes the availability of statutorily-limited immigrant visas in two charts: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” The […]
