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2005

  • USCIS Moves Further toward Electronic Filing (12/29/2005)
    "Information collection" notices published by USCIS on December 29, 2005, introducing new forms 1, 2, 3, 41 and 60, are a step toward introducing a true electronic filing system. More information will be posted as it develops.
    AILA Doc. No. 05122966.
  • AILA-SCOPS Q & A Regarding Schedule A Posting Requirements (12/19/2005) (12/21/2005)
    USCIS-SCOPS answers AILA questions regarding locations at which the required notice for Schedule A petitions should be posted, and how pending cases are to be processed.
    AILA Doc. No. 05122162.
  • Minutes of AILA USCIS Liaison Meeting September 22, 2005(620 KB - 12/9/2005)
    USCIS discusses various liaison topics, including AC21/H-1B cap and cap exemption issues, Infopass issues, background clearances, educational degree equivalencies, and job offers for professors and researchers. AILA Doc. No. 05120941.
    AILA Doc. No. 05120941.
  • AILA Practice Alert: I-90 Interviews (11/30/2005)
    Tip from the field on important developments in the I-90 interview.
    AILA Doc. No. 05113010.
  • Gearing up for the Second Half of the H-2B Cap (11/23/2005)
    Agencies comment on filing H-2B petitions for the second half of FY2006.
    AILA Doc. No. 05112366.
  • Have You Been Getting Locked Out of the USCIS Case Status Online System? (10/26/2005)
    USCIS responds to AILA questions regarding member complaints of being locked out of the Case Status online system.
    AILA Doc. No. 05102660.
  • Reminder: African TPS Re-Registration Deadlines Approach (9/23/2005)
    African TPS holders are not re-registering as they should. Please remember upcoming deadlines, and that re-registration is through the Chicago lock box, and not the district offices.
    AILA Doc. No. 05092364.
  • H-1B "Lottery" on August 10 Filings (8/31/2005)
    It appears that USCIS is completing the "lottery" process on selecting those H-1B petitions that were filed on August 10 that will be included in the fiscal 2006 cap. AILA members report that they have started to receive rejections on petitions that did not make the cap.
    AILA Doc. No. 05083169.
  • H-1B Numbers for U.S. Masters Graduates Remain (8/23/2005)
    USCIS HQ has confirmed to AILA that, despite rumors to the contrary, H-1B numbers remain for both fiscal 2005 and 2006 for graduates of U.S. masters or above programs. Please remember that, for fiscal 2005 numbers (i.e., a start date earlier than 10/1/05), the petition should be filed at the special address at the Vermont Service Center.
    AILA Doc. No. 05082362.
  • Update on Fiscal 2006 H-1B Numbers (6/13/2005)
    Information on where USCIS stands with respect to the H-1B cap.
    AILA Doc. No. 05061360.
  • Error on USCIS Website Regarding G-325A (5/24/2005)
    USCIS advises AILA liaison that a 5/19/05 notice on the USCIS website that prior versions of Form G-325A can no longer be used was an error, and is being corrected. Designated prior versions will be useable until the end of 2005.
    AILA Doc. No. 05052440.
  • Implementation of H-2B Legislation (5/16/2005)
    Information from USCIS, DOL and DOS regarding implementation plans for the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005.
    AILA Doc. No. 05051610.
  • USCIS Processing Times Resources (4/22/2005)
    The USCIS reminds practitioners that they should rely on the USCIS processing times reports issued by the USCIS (and posted to InfoNet) as the most accurate source for processing time information, in the event that there is a variance with any other source of processing time information, including the USCIS on-line case status system.
    AILA Doc. No. 05042240.
  • Minutes of 3/17/05 USCIS HQ Liaison Meeting (6/3/2005)
    Discussions with USCIS included such issues as AC21, I-751 waivers, unlawful presence, naming conventions, non-precedent AAO decisions, Infopass, and issues related to dealing with PERM.
    AILA Doc. No. 05060370.
  • Clarification of Information on H-1B Filings (4/19/2005)
    Information posted on 4/15/05 regarding treatment of petitions for the 20,000 fiscal 2005 H-1B numbers is clarified. USCIS HQ comments on a common approach to filing are also provided.
    AILA Doc. No. 05041964.
  • H-1B Regulation Further Delayed (4/18/2005)
    AILA's liaison has learned that the regulation implementing the 20,000 H-1Bs has encountered further delays at OMB. It remains unclear when the rule will be published, and whether it will allow filing for all H-1B-eligible beneficiaries or only those with a U.S. masters degree or higher.
    AILA Doc. No. 05041861.
  • H-1B Update (4/15/2005)
    The NSC has confirmed that U.S. advanced degree H-1B cases will be placed in the queue for an immediate start date, even if presently filed for a FY06 start date, and the TSC has approved a few U.S. advanced degree H-1B petitions with immediate start dates.
    AILA Doc. No. 05041561.
  • Chile/Singapore FTA Numbers Still Available (4/6/2005)
    USCIS has advised AILA that it is "not even remotely close" to running out of H-1B1 numbers under the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements for the current fiscal year.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040663.
  • Latest on H-1Bs (3/28/2005)
    Still no word on when USCIS will start accepting petitions for the 20,000 H-1Bs. In the meantime, government sources confirm that the USCIS miscounted fy2005 H-1B allocations, such that at least 10,000 more than the 65,000 quota were allocated.
    AILA Doc. No. 05032860.
  • No Further Word on H-1Bs (3/22/2005)
    As of 1:00 pm, 3/22/05, the notice regarding filings of H-1Bs has not yet arrived at the Federal Register. USCIS is offering no further information as to when the notice will be published or as to its contents.
    AILA Doc. No. 05032261.
  • Update on H-1B Filings (3/17/2005)
    Based on comments from USCIS officials, it appears that the notice regarding filing of petitions for the 20,000 H-1B visas will NOT come out this week, and thus filing would not begin on March 21.
    AILA Doc. No. 05031740.
  • More on the New I-129 Form (3/16/2005)
    A USCIS official has advised AILA that, although the notice allowing use of the old I-129 form until April 30, 2005 discussed only H-1Bs, that extension of time to use the old form applies to the other nonimmigrant types covered by that form as well.
    AILA Doc. No. 05031662.
  • H-1Bs, the I-129 and March 21 (3/14/2005)
    In explaining why the new I-129 form was abruptly posted to the USCIS website, a USCIS official mentioned that the agency must begin collecting new data as of March 21. What might one surmise from this?
    AILA Doc. No. 05031469.
  • Update on the H-1B Situation (3/10/2005)
    AILA updates its members on where the situation stands on the 20,000 H-1B visas.
    AILA Doc. No. 05031040.
  • District Office Pilot Projects (2/22/2005)
    AILA seeks member input regarding the District Office Pilot Projects in certain adjustment cases.
    AILA Doc. No. 05022260.
  • Minutes of 10/28/04 USCIS Liaison Meeting(349 KB - 1/21/2005)
    The 10/28/04 meeting with USCIS' Operations and Legal offices included discussions on numerous issues, including 245(i) and (k), AC21, the RFE memo, the 800 number, expedites for persons in proceedings, security checks, Infopass, and ASC scheduling. AILA Doc. No. 05012163.
    AILA Doc. No. 05012163.
  • USCIS Instructions on How to Get from the 800 Number to a Service Center(69 KB - 1/14/2005)
    USCIS provides further information on how to get through to the service centers from the 800 number in appropriate cases. Note that the process is automated--you do not need to speak to a customer service representative, and a customer service representative cannot transfer you. AILA Doc. No. 05011463.
    AILA Doc. No. 05011463.