EB2-NIW Premium Processing

Jan19

The USCIS processing times have long been somewhat of an inconvenience for individuals. Especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic that caused major delays. Premium Processing was offered as a solution by USCIS, which allowed individuals to receive results to their petition 15 to 45 working days for an extra cost. However, in the employment category, this option was only available to EB1-A (Individuals with Extraordinary Abilities).  This caused individuals who petitioned for EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver) to remain without an option.  Recently, the USCIS announced premium processing starting January 30th 2023, for all previously filed NIW cases

January 19, 2023
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EB1 and EB2 NIW Processing Times

Blog Kameli Eb2 processing time
Jan13

Immigration processes in the US can be lengthy and time-consuming. Which can cause frustration for individuals with certain goals in mind. This also includes Eb1 and EB2 NIW Processing Times which can usually be unpredictable. However, the USCIS provides certain information that can help get an understanding of approximately how long the process can take and also give the option of premium processing to speed up the procedure. How long does it take to complete & submit my case to USCIS? The process of putting together an immigration file is not just the gathering of documents. It has

January 13, 2023
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What is EB2-NIW?

Dec22

What is EB2-NIW? EB2-NIW stands for Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference – National Interest Waiver. The EB-2 NIW visa is for foreign nationals who are highly skilled or hold advanced degrees and will show they have a project or endeavor that will serve the national interests of the United States & Individuals may self-petition for an EB-2 NIW visa.   What is NIW? National Interest Waiver (NIW): the labor certification required for EB2 is waived because it is in the interest of the United States, which means no employer is required. The endeavors that qualify for a national interest

December 22, 2022
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USCIS Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension

Employment Authorization
Jun08

Even after 2020, the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic are still lingering today. Businesses have shut down, employers are understaffed, and the lasting mental toll of quarantine is still being felt. Not only has the pandemic affected our everyday lives, but it has also exacerbated many problems, such as the USCIS’s processing times and backlogs.  Back in 2019, the USCIS faced a major financial crisis that reduced the ability to complete caseloads. The USCIS which was “running at a revenue loss”, and left to deal with “continuing backlogs and lengthening process times” was left weakened in 2020 when

June 8, 2022
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USCIS expands the Premium Processing Time Option

USCIS
Jun08

If the USCIS is notorious for anything, it’s the long and extraneous processing times. With processing times reaching all-time highs within the fiscal year, applicants were left wondering about when their cases were going to be reviewed, if at all.    On March 29th, 2022, applicants were relieved to find out about the USCIS’s efforts to speed up processing times and expand premium processing options to Immigrant applicants. The USCIS announced that in an effort to reduce backlogs it would expand premium processing options to include a broader range of case types, and would expedite the decision time through

June 8, 2022
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The USCIS Rescinds Stringent Professional and Educational Requirements for H-1B Petition Adjudications in Response to Ninth Circuit Challenge

USCIS Rescinds Stringent Requirements for H-1B Petition
Feb24

Written by Taher Kameli & Chathan Vemuri On February 3, 2021, in what is sure to be welcome news for H-1B applicants, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services rescinded the 2017 Policy Memorandum PM–602-0142 that it previously issued under the Trump administration.[1] Under the 2017 Policy Memorandum, the USCIS discarded the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) classification of occupations covered by the H-1B program, specifically rejecting the DOL’s requirement that positions within that particular classification of H-1B occupations required only bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field for entry.[2]   The USCIS also disagreed with

February 24, 2021
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President Biden Reinstates Deferred Enforced Departure for Eligible Liberian Nationals in the U.S.

Liberian Nationals Eligible for Deferred Enforced Departure
Feb23

Written by Taher Kameli & Chathan Vemuri At the very beginning of his term in office, President Biden has put immigration reform at the top of his agenda, passing a series of executive orders challenging and even overturning President Trump’s immigration policies.[1] Be it rescinding the Muslim travel ban or restoring DACA, the Biden administration has made impressive gestures towards repairing an immigration system affected by the Trump administration’s more exclusivist hardline policies.[2] One particular change of note is the President’s revival of the Deferred Enforced Departure program.[3] This program, which covers around 4,000 long-term

February 23, 2021
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Southern District Court of Texas Overrules Biden Administration’s Deportation Moratorium

Texas Overrules Biden Administration Deportation Moratorium
Feb18

Written by Taher Kameli & Chathan Vemuri The first two weeks of the Biden presidency has seen a dramatic pause on many of the Trump administration’s most controversial immigration policies, from ending the Muslim ban to reversing the policy focusing immigration law enforcement on any undocumented person regardless of criminal status or lack thereof, to ending an emergency declaration to divert funds to proposed border wall.[1] Yet opposition to these reversals remains as strong as ever in those states where the former President still commands high levels of support. In Texas last week, one state attorney general was able to

February 18, 2021
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USCIS H-1B Lottery Process Will Remain Unchanged for the Following Year

USCIS H-1B Lottery Process Will Remain Unchanged this Year
Feb16

Written by Taher Kameli & Chathan Vemuri In what is sure to be welcome news for H-1B visa applicants, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) announced that the H-1B electronic registration and lottery process for this year would be identical to that of last year, as opposed to the Trump administration’s proposal to make the lottery of H-1B visas dependent on wage levels for H-1B positions.[1] Under the Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions rule (Modification Rule), H-1B application cases would have been prioritized according to the wage level

February 16, 2021
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How Confronting The Past Can Change Our Future

How Confronting The Past Can Change Our Future by Taher Kameli
Feb11

Written by Taher Kameli On Wednesday, January 20, 2021,  the U. S. witness the change when former Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. It was the culmination of a vicious presidential campaign that effectively served as a referendum on the performance of Donald Trump.[1] A campaign that saw Trump’s most fervent supporters come out in record numbers to keep him in the White House, as well as new voters too.[2]   After, a volatile election the result was not even known for almost a

February 11, 2021
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