AILA Practice Pointers and Alerts
4/2/2020
AILA has been made aware that in the long term, USCIS may be extending its practice of form rejections due to incompleteness to all forms. This practice alert recommends that members do not leave any spaces blank when completing forms.
AILA Doc. No. 20040233
4/2/2020
An HHS interim final rule and a CDC concurrent order closed both the northern and southern borders to all but essential travel. This practice alert explains the effect of the interim final rule and the CDC order, and how DHS is implementing the new policies at the southern border.
AILA Doc. No. 20040232
4/2/2020
AILA provides responses to some frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on public charge inadmissibility determinations.
AILA Doc. No. 20040231
4/1/2020
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an update from the National Visa Center on its operations during the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of the outbreak on NVC capability to respond to inquiry correspondence.
AILA Doc. No. 20040160
4/2/2020
AILA provides a practice alert regarding recent reports received from AILA members indicating that USCIS has denied some H-1B electronic registrations due to duplicate submissions. AILA has notified USCIS of this issue.
AILA Doc. No. 20033136
3/27/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides its top 10 tips for members new to the PERM labor certification process, including tips on how to ensure consistency between ETA Form 9141 and ETA Form 9089; travel; preparing for the I-140 process; managing recruitment costs; and more.
AILA Doc. No. 20032730
3/26/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides information concerning the three-fourths wage requirement under H-2A and H-2B regulations and the guidance currently available on the application of this requirement. The Committee continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on DOL operations and on employers.
AILA Doc. No. 20032633
3/26/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding changes in work conditions during the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on H-1B workers.
AILA Doc. No. 20032631
3/25/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides information concerning the two-step process DOL OFLC is utilizing to issue electronic PERM labor certifications during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20032591
3/23/2020
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee provides a practice alert summarizing the measures taken and procedures implemented on the Northern and Southern borders by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to limit “non-essential” travel during the COVID-19 outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20032342
3/23/2020
AILA provides a practice alert on ICE’s 24-hour-a-day surveillance operations around the homes and workplaces of undocumented immigrants in sanctuary cities, what ICE is calling “Operation Palladium.”
AILA Doc. No. 20032340
3/20/2020
AILA provides compiling procedures for satisfactory departure requests at CBP ports nationwide due to COVID-19. Members are encouraged to send updated information/information not currently reflected for a particular port to reports@aila.org, subject line: Satisfactory Departure Procedures.
AILA Doc. No. 20032043
3/20/2020
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an update from the March 5, 2020, DOS liaison meeting concerning requesting a reprinted visa foil due to travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20032034
3/19/2020
DHS announced the suspension of operations for all CBP Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment Centers due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
AILA Doc. No. 20032032
3/19/2020
AILA provides a practice alert regarding how to complete the H-1B electronic registration process for individuals born in Gaza after 1948 based on information provided by USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 20031938
3/19/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides a summary of issues raised for clarification with DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) and DOL Wage and Hour Division (WHD) concerning compliance with H-1B/PERM and H-2 requirements during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20031935
3/20/2020
In this FAQ document, AILA’s Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee provides answers to important I-9 compliance questions during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially in remote work scenarios.
AILA Doc. No. 20031931
3/18/2020
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an update from DOS concerning the implementation of the recent presidential proclamations suspending entry of certain foreign nationals during the COVID-19 outbreak. DOS provides information concerning exceptions to these proclamations.
AILA Doc. No. 20031809
3/17/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides guidance concerning fulfilling DOL notice requirements for H-1B and PERM programs during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20031714
3/17/2020
AILA’s Rome District and Latin America and Caribbean chapters are compiling a spreadsheet of consular post operations throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. AILA members are encouraged to provide updates for particular posts to Lynn Lee at llee@bsis.com, subject line “COVID-19 consular post updates”.
AILA Doc. No. 20031710
3/16/2020
AILA's CBP Liaison Committee provides guidance shared by CBP concerning ESTA/visa waiver extensions due to travel restrictions brought on by COVID-19. For the time being, this information is only applicable to those admitted through JFK and Newark ports of entry.
AILA Doc. No. 20031600
3/16/2020
AILA provides a resource intended to help members understand the new FAM revisions concerning public charge, as well as the new Form-DS-5540, Public Charge Questionnaire.
AILA Doc. No. 20031664
3/13/2020
AILA received reports and inquiries for assistance from members representing defensive asylum applicants who had not received receipts or biometrics appointments despite multiple filings with NSC. AILA sent a report of the issue to USCIS in January 2020. Watch this alert for more updates.
AILA Doc. No. 20031391
3/5/2020
The SCOPS Liaison Committees has advised USCIS of missing or deficient processing times since the Texas Service Center (TSC) began adjudicating I-129 petitions. To inquire about the status of a case, call the USCIS Contact Center and ask for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 officer to initiate a case inquiry.
AILA Doc. No. 20031313
3/13/2020
Certain consular posts have begun alerting applicants of reduced or temporarily suspended visa services due to COVID-19. AILA advises members to check the DOS webpage providing COVID-19 country specific information, a respective post or embassy's website, and other AILA resources to counsel clients.
AILA Doc. No. 20031309
3/17/2020
AILA provides a practice alert outlining the scope of presidential proclamations, including the proclamation recently issued for the Schengen area of Europe, as well as the U.K. and Ireland, suspending entry into the United States for individuals that pose a risk of transmitting COVID-19.
AILA Doc. No. 20031235
4/2/2020
DHS sent a message out on Twitter, stating that its final rule on additional H-2B visas is currently on hold and no additional H-2B visas will be released until further notice.
AILA Doc. No. 20031139
3/11/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides an update from DOL OFLC concerning the impact of COVID-19 on stakeholders’ operations. The committee also provides members with tips for working with DOL throughout the current outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20031136
3/9/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides an update from the 2020 Spring Conference in which the OFLC reminded practitioners of changes in the FLAG system and heightened LCA volume during the H-1B registration process that may affect how quickly an “Assigned Case Number” is provided for an LCA.
AILA Doc. No. 20030936
3/6/2020
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee provides a practice pointer on a USCIS sworn statement regarding marijuana use that is reportedly being used by the USCIS Field Offices in Seattle and Denver. Special thanks to Michael Jarecki and Lindsay Fullerton.
AILA Doc. No. 20030633
3/5/2020
The Greyhound bus company, the largest bus company in the United States, announced on February 21, 2020, that it will no longer allow Border Patrol agents to conduct routine immigration checks, including warrantless checks for people in the country without authorization.
AILA Doc. No. 20030431
3/9/2020
USCIS announced that the Seattle Application Support Center (ASC) will reopen to the public on March 10 and the Seattle Field Office will reopen to the public on March 11. USCIS also provided instructions for individuals who missed appointments due to the temporary closure.
AILA Doc. No. 20030404
3/3/2020
AILA’s EB-5 Investor Committee provides a practice pointer discussing the impact of the March 2020 Visa Bulletin on EB-5 China-mainland visa applicants in light of the advancement of Final Action Date and Date for Filing in March 2020.
AILA Doc. No. 20030300
3/6/2020
AILA has been informed that USCIS has recently resolved a previously reported technical issue in the H-1B registration tool that misidentified attorneys/legal representatives as not eligible to practice law.
AILA Doc. No. 20030236
2/25/2020
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee provides a practice pointer with information regarding placing a request to interfile or transfer the preference category of a pending I-485 adjustment of status application. Special thanks to Dan Berger, Kevin Miner, and Robin O’Donoghue.
AILA Doc. No. 20022600
2/25/2020
AILA provides a practice alert confirming that prospective petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions will not be providing company information when creating their myUSCIS accounts. The alert also addresses reported problems with myUSCIS accounts appearing “blank,” among other things.
AILA Doc. No. 20022533
2/25/2020
AILA’s Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee provides members with recommendations for advising clients on how to manage issues brought on by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) throughout the hiring process.
AILA Doc. No. 20022532
2/21/2020
DOS will implement the new public charge standards pursuant to the DOS Interim Final Rule beginning on 2/24/20. OMB has approved the new Form DS-5540, Public Charge Questionnaire and on 2/21/20, DOS also published revisions to the FAM on Public Charge, with an effective date of 2/24/20.
AILA Doc. No. 20022134
2/20/2020
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides an update from the Department of State Office of Academic Exchanges concerning exchange visitors whose travel may be impacted by restrictions brought on by the Novel Coronavirus.
AILA Doc. No. 20022032
2/14/2020
AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee provides a practice alert to encourage members to verify access to their MyUSCIS account now in advance of the opening of the H-1B registration period on March 1, 2020.
AILA Doc. No. 20021403
1/30/2020
Kehrela M. Hodkinson, Jason C. Mills, and David A. Guerrettaz provide a practice advisory with updates and strategies to consider in light of the implementation of the DHS public charge rule.
AILA Doc. No. 20020637
1/28/2020
Kristen A. Harris, Susan S. Im, Justin F. Russo, and Andrew L. Wizner provide a practice advisory on the most critical issues practitioners should consider in advance of the H-1B electronic registration process and provide guidance on what is currently known.
AILA Doc. No. 20020636
2/6/2020
AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee alerts members that the correct filing location for an EAD application based on the H-4 eligibility category is the USCIS Dallas, TX, Lockbox, if the H-1B principal spouse’s petition was filed at the Texas Service Center.
AILA Doc. No. 20020633
1/31/2020
AILA updates its summary of Travel Ban 3.0 in light of the 1/31/20 Presidential Proclamation expanding the ban to include six additional countries: Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
AILA Doc. No. 20020190
1/31/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee has contacted OFLC regarding ongoing reports from members on issues viewing the PDF of submitted, pending, and certified versions of ETA Form 9142 in the DOL’s FLAG System. OFLC confirmed it is working to find a fix or software patch to address this specific concern.
AILA Doc. No. 20013135
2/5/2020
AILA provides updates on the impact of the coronavirus on individuals seeking entry into the United States after travel in China and on consular post operations in China.
AILA Doc. No. 20013036
1/30/2020
AILA’s VAWA, U and T Committee prepared a practice alert advising members on USCIS’s recent alert pertaining to Petitions for U Non-immigrant Status on Form I-918 and Petitions for Qualifying Family Members of U-1 Recipient on Form I-918, Supplement A.
AILA Doc. No. 20013001
1/29/2020
In December 2019, EOIR revised Form E-33/IC and E-33/BIA for changing a respondent’s address before the immigration court and BIA. AILA recommends that attorney utilize the new form and have respondents sign the form themselves whenever possible.
AILA Doc. No. 20012990
1/28/2020
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee provides an alert concerning recent reports of individuals of Iranian descent facing increased scrutiny and denials/revocations from the DOS and DHS when attempting to enter or reenter the United States.
AILA Doc. No. 20012832
1/27/2020
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee details the results of its engagement with DOL OFLC concerning certain ACWIA codes not displaying as options on Forms ETA-9141 and ETA-9035. The committee is also seeking examples of related RFEs from USCIS for impacted H-1B and I-140 petitions.
AILA Doc. No. 20012735
1/24/2020
AILA summarizes a DOS final rule set to be effective and published in the Federal Register on 1/24/20 establishing a rebuttable presumption concerning B visa applicants assumed to be entering the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth and obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child.
AILA Doc. No. 20012361
1/15/2020
At the beginning of FY2019, the DHS Privacy Office took responsibility for processing requests sent to the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM). The Privacy Office has reached out to AILA to alert its members about best practices when submitting FOIA requests.
AILA Doc. No. 20011501
1/7/2020
The DOL Liaison Committee provides an update for members from DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) concerning an ongoing issue stakeholders are facing with filing an LCA in FLAG within 178 to 183 days of an anticipated start date.
AILA Doc. No. 20010738
1/7/2020
AILA reached out to USCIS Public Engagement requesting that USCIS review and resolve the issue of improperly delivered documents so that secure identity documents and original notices are properly sent to the attorney of record when designated on the Form G-28.
AILA Doc. No. 20010737
12/23/2019
AILA provides clarification to members concerning filing an adjustment application when the final action date is listed as “Current” or the cutoff date is later than that of the “Dates for Filing” chart designated for use by USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19122312
12/23/2019
Three recent policy changes at EOIR have the potential to significantly alter both BIA operations and the substance of its decisions. This practice pointer summarizes the main changes made by each policy, how they could work in tandem to change the BIA, and key takeaways for practitioners.
AILA Doc. No. 19122311
12/18/2019
AILA provides a practice pointer on the USCIS’s fee schedule rule and changes to certain immigration forms that would elevate fees and have a significantly detrimental impact on immigrant survivors.
AILA Doc. No. 19121931
2/19/2020
Updated practice pointer addressing AILA members’ most frequently asked questions regarding the new electronic H-1B registration process based on information provided during the 2/6/20 and 2/11/20 USCIS webinars. Special thanks to Lucy Cheung, Susan Im, Ceridwen Koski, JJ Shepherd, and Mike Nowlan.
AILA Doc. No. 19121838
12/18/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee provides a summary of the September 20, 2019, final rule modernizing recruitment requirements for the H-2A program. The rule took effect on October 21, 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19121833
12/18/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee provides a summary of the November 15, 2019, joint DOL and DHS final rule modernizing recruitment requirements for the H-2B program. The rule took effect on December 16, 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19121832
12/13/2019
AILA and the American Immigration Council provide a practice advisory with arguments as to why USCIS and ICE trial attorney interpretation of the relevance of the Miscellaneous and Technical Immigration and Naturalization Amendments of 1991 (MTINA) is wrong.
AILA Doc. No. 19121301
12/13/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provides a practice alert to notify members that USCIS posted incorrect versions of Forms I-924 and I-924A on its website from 11/21/19 through 12/5/19. Members should note that starting 1/1/2020, USCIS will only accept the 11/21/19 editions of these forms.
AILA Doc. No. 19121330
12/12/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee offers a practice pointer on best practices for communicating and resolving case issues with DOS’s National Visa Center (NVC).
AILA Doc. No. 19121231
12/10/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee reminds members of the OFLC’s move to SeasonalJobs.dol.gov for temporary and seasonal job opportunities. OFLC confirmed on December 6, 2019, that the Public Jobs Registry maintained through iCERT will be decommissioned on December 27, 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19121033
1/17/2020
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee provides an updated practice alert regarding recent H-1B cap exemption developments for non-profit research organizations.
AILA Doc. No. 19121032
12/6/2019
DOL has resolved a technical glitch experienced with the Sponsorship Verification process. The DOL Liaison Committee shares recommendations from the DOL concerning checking the status of PERM applications from the past week to ensure that information was properly captured.
AILA Doc. No. 19120637
12/17/2019
AILA’s NBC Liaison Committee issued a practice alert regarding the processing of retrogressed adjustment of status applications after a priority date becomes current. AILA reached out to USCIS requesting that the agency provide procedural guidance and on 12/17/19, USCIS provided responses.
AILA Doc. No. 19120502
12/10/2019
AILA’s SCOPS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding a new edition of Form I-907, dated 12/02/19. USCIS has confirmed that there is no grace period for this form. To date, AILA has not received any reports from members regarding rejections of the prior edition of Form I-907.
AILA Doc. No. 19120402
12/2/2019
DOS updated its website to indicate that the National Visa Center (NVC) will be closed all day on December 2, 2019, due to inclement weather.
AILA Doc. No. 19120200
11/26/2019
Amid reports suggesting that USCIS is more frequently rejecting Form I-589 due to claimed incompleteness, this practice pointer provides tips regarding completion of the form.
AILA Doc. No. 19112608
11/26/2019
AILA’s Department of Labor (DOL) Liaison Committee provides information on the new Message Center forum concerning the DOL Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system.
AILA Doc. No. 19112603
11/26/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides responses from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) to questions concerning its collaboration with USCIS on a digital petition file transfer process.
AILA Doc. No. 19112602
11/12/2019
DOL posted an alert in the FLAG system, notifying stakeholders that the system will be undergoing system maintenance on November 13, 2019, at 5:00 pm (ET).
AILA Doc. No. 19111290
11/11/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provides a practice pointer regarding six issues that members should consider addressing with their clients during the dash to prepare and file I-526 petitions before the new EB-5 regulation takes effect on November 21, 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19111102
10/22/2019
AILA learned that DHS began sending out fine notices that targeted individuals in sanctuary jurisdictions, ordering them to pay fines of up to nearly $500,000. In October 2019, the Trump administration reversed this policy and withdrew the fines.
AILA Doc. No. 19110732
11/6/2019
AILA’s DOL Committee shares information from OFLC on updating employer or attorney data on the ETA Form 9089 after it has been submitted.
AILA Doc. No. 19110632
11/6/2019
AILA provides a practice alert on the possible impact of a lapse in funding for DOL.
AILA Doc. No. 19110631
10/31/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee summarizes key points from a presentation by Charles Oppenheim, Chief, Immigrant Visa Control & Reporting Division, DOS, at the IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum in Seattle, Washington, on October 29, 2019, addressing important updates relating to EB-5 visa demand.
AILA Doc. No. 19103106
10/30/2019
AILA provides a practice alert on new pilot program being tested in El Paso, Texas to speed up deportations of asylum seekers.
AILA Doc. No. 19103031
10/25/2019
AILA issued a practice alert after members, especially in the six New England states, reported changes in geographical areas containing wage data in the Occupational Employment Survey (OES). This practice alert explains why the geographical areas may change each July 1.
AILA Doc. No. 19102505
10/18/2019
The DOS Liaison Committee provides an update from the National Visa Center on recently reported issues uploading documents in the CEAC system. The DOS Liaison Committee will continue to report any new developments on this outage.
AILA Doc. No. 19101802
10/18/2019
The CBP Liaison Committee provides background information on the automatic extension of expired Venezuelan passports and recommendations for assisting clients impacted by the extension.
AILA Doc. No. 19101800
1/17/2020
AILA provides a guide to help our members navigate the USCIS Contact Center in order to make appointments at local USCIS offices as well as create inquiries with USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19101631
10/16/2019
AILA’s DOS Committee provides this practice pointer on the DOS’s Interim Final Rule on Public Charge grounds as it applies to individuals applying for visas. While the IFR took effect on October 15, 2019, DOS has stated that it will not be implemented until a related new form is published.
AILA Doc. No. 19101630
10/15/2019
AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee continues to hear reports of USCIS issuing RFE and denials related to English language translations. The SCOPS Liaison Committee reminds members to make sure certified translation complies with 8 CFR §103.2(b)(3).
AILA Doc. No. 17092731
10/14/2019
AILA Practice Pointer on EOIR policy memo 19-13, use of status dockets. Status cases are "cases in which an immigration judge must delay final adjudication of the case pursuant to law."
AILA Doc. No. 19101405
10/11/2019
The DOL Committee provides updates from a brief discussion with DOL OFLC concerning reported issues in the FLAG system, especially concerning prevailing wage determinations and LCAs.
AILA Doc. No. 19101108
10/10/2019
AILA, in coordination with Greg McLawsen, provides a practice pointer regarding understanding the new DHS rule on public charge inadmissibility that fundamentally changes how DHS will make public charge determinations.
AILA Doc. No. 19101104
10/3/2019
This practice pointer address the “public charge condition” imposed on requests for change or extension of nonimmigrant status under the public charge final rule.
AILA Doc. No. 19100305
10/2/2019
AILA provides a practice alert on the publication of a correction to the Public Charge Final Rule in the Federal Register on October 2, 2019. The Alert provides an overview of the types of changes and a detailed explanation on the changes impacting the spouse and children of servicemembers.
AILA Doc. No. 19100202
9/30/2019
The DOL Committee provides information concerning the availability of printed copies of the completed form ETA Form 9035 in the FLAG system for the purposes of complying with LCA notice requirements.
AILA Doc. No. 19093034
9/27/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ Committee provides a practice pointer outlining key considerations for practitioners when filing an adjustment application for a child approaching 21 years of age when the Dates for Filing are current but the Final Action Dates are not.
AILA Doc. No. 19093001
9/27/2019
AILA’s SCOPS Liaison Committee issues reminder to check filing locations prior to filing an application or petition.
AILA Doc. No. 19092731
9/27/2019
In recent times, AILA National, as well as our members have experienced difficulty obtaining responses from USCIS on case specific inquiries. In this practice pointer, AILA outlines how to request case assistance from a member of Congress.
AILA Doc. No. 19092708
11/21/2019
On November 21, 2019, President Trump signed a continuing resolution through December 20, 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19092700
9/24/2019
AILA issues a practice alert summarizing some considerations for EB-5 practitioners and EB-5 clients in analyzing H.R. 1044/S.386 and its implications should it be enacted.
AILA Doc. No. 19092502
12/20/2019
AILA's Asylum & Refugee Committee summarizes the implications of the Supreme Court’s stay of a preliminary injunction of the Asylum Ban 2.0. Without clarification from EOIR, Immigration Judges may issue inconsistent rulings on the question of the asylum ban’s retroactive applicability.
AILA Doc. No. 19092432
9/20/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee provides a practice alert regarding recent reports of on-site inspections for STEM OPT employment.
AILA Doc. No. 19092304
9/20/2019
AILA’s Business Immigration Response Team provides a practice pointer outlining key considerations for practitioners seeking to identify business-friendly consular sections. Special thanks to Stephen Pattison.
AILA Doc. No. 19092062
9/20/2019
AILA provides a practice pointer explaining that the public charge ground of inadmissibility does not apply to U- or T-visa applicants, U or T nonimmigrants applying to adjust their status, or VAWA self-petitioners.
AILA Doc. No. 19092014
9/20/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provides information regarding the new EB-5 regulations and the future of the EB-5 Regional Center program. Special thanks to Bernard Wolfsdorf and Joe Barnett for their contributions.
AILA Doc. No. 19092011
9/17/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee reminds members that as of September 16, 2019, stakeholders may begin preparing H-2A applications (ETA-9142A) and job orders (ETA-790/ETA-790A) in the DOL FLAG system. The committee also shares the DOL transition schedule for H-2A forms in FLAG.
AILA Doc. No. 19091731
9/19/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee reminds members that as of 9/16/19 stakeholders are able to begin preparing LCA applications for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas in the FLAG System. These applications may be submitted through FLAG beginning on 10/1/19.
AILA Doc. No. 19091631
6/25/2019
AILA provides a practice pointer on cannabis legalization in Illinois and how the Regulation and Tax Act creates a system for expungement, pardon, and vacating certain cannabis convictions. Special thanks to Lindsay Fullerton.
AILA Doc. No. 19091100
9/10/2019
The DOL Committee provides context for a brief FLAG system outage and what it means for the system moving forward.
AILA Doc. No. 19091038
9/10/2019
This practice pointer identifies asylum and refugee-related categories exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
AILA Doc. No. 19091031
6/6/2019
In recent weeks, AILA has received reports from members regarding what appears to be several technical glitches on the USCIS website. AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Committee is aware of the reported issues and has contacted USCIS to make the agency aware of the issue.
AILA Doc. No. 19090605
11/26/2019
Effective 11/12/19, per revisions to the visa schedule for France, the maximum validity of E-1 and E-2 visas for French nationals, including derivatives, is now 25 months.
AILA Doc. No. 19090301
9/3/2019
On August 15, 2019, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) provided AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee with an update on its development of a system to digitally transfer nonimmigrant petition copies from USCIS service centers to the KCC.
AILA Doc. No. 19090300
9/4/2019
AILA's USCIS HQ Committee has received reports of high rates of denials and processing delays for military parole in place applications at some USCIS field offices. The committee is also requesting examples, through a survey on this page, of impacted applications to further its advocacy efforts.
AILA Doc. No. 19083036
9/19/2019
Today, DHS alerted the Oversight & Reform Committee that at the discretion of the Acting Secretary it would resume “consideration of non-military deferred action requests on a discretionary, case-by-case basis, except as otherwise required by an applicable statute, regulation, or court order.”
AILA Doc. No. 19082334
8/26/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides an update from the Department of State’s Charlie Oppenheim that despite information contained in the September 2019 Visa Bulletin, all EB-3 categories have been made immediately “unavailable” through the end of the fiscal year.
AILA Doc. No. 19081690
8/15/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides an updated case liaison process for Department of State Waiver Review Division (WRD) J-1 waiver inquiries.
AILA Doc. No. 19081537
2/24/2020
AILA updated its practice alert after the U.S. Supreme Court granted the administration’s request for a stay of Illinois-based injunction against DHS’s public charge rule on 2/21, allowing DHS to implement the public charge rule nationwide, including in Illinois.
AILA Doc. No. 19081430
8/13/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides a list of U.S. posts and, where applicable, the public-facing emails available for contacting each post. The committee has raised a list of the posts without these public-facing email addresses to the attention of the DOS Visa Office.
AILA Doc. No. 19081333
8/7/2019
The Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer on Social Security Administration (SSA) no-match letters and provides suggestions that will help AILA members identify legal issues that their clients should consider when deciding how to respond to these letters.
AILA Doc. No. 19080800
8/7/2019
This practice alert provides information on the updated U visa guide for law enforcement certifiers and on the new ICE directive regarding requests for stays of removal for U visa petitioners.
AILA Doc. No. 19080733
8/15/2019
Beginning on July 1, 2019, eligible citizens of visa exempt countries are able to apply for certain nonimmigrant waivers online using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Electronic Secured Adjudication Forms Environment (e-SAFE) system.
AILA Doc. No. 19080132
8/1/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee details a new response system for requests for review made through the Department of State’s LegalNet email box. The committee also explains what this means for 214(b) refusals raised to LegalNet.
AILA Doc. No. 19080130
7/30/2019
As of mid-July 2019, USCIS has added a new barcode to the Form G-28 and Form I-90. Other forms will eventually follow.
AILA Doc. No. 19073035
7/29/2019
The DOS Liaison Committee provides information from a discussion with the Department of State Visa Office concerning allegations of visa fraud concerning Arya Samaj weddings.
AILA Doc. No. 19072991
7/29/2019
AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee provides a practice alert notifying members that USCIS recently updated its website regarding the direct filing addresses for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
AILA Doc. No. 19072903
7/22/2019
AILA’s National Benefits Center Liaison Committee issued a practice alert notifying members of a recent glitch causing issues with I-797 Notices.
AILA Doc. No. 19072262
9/27/2019
AILA provides a practice alert with information on DHS's announcement that it is significantly expanding expedited removal.
AILA Doc. No. 19072207
7/19/2019
This in-depth practice advisory from AILA and ASISTA provides survivor-based advocacy strategies for U visa applicants at different stages of removal proceedings, including strategies to address ICE and EOIR challenges.
AILA Doc. No. 19071911
7/18/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee provides updates on two issues that it had raised to the attention of the DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Both issues appear resolved, as the FLAG system is back online, and DOL has implemented a system fix concerning issues with Section K of the ETA Form 9089.
AILA Doc. No. 19071836
9/18/2019
EOIR has begun replacing interpreters at master calendar hearings with prerecorded video advisals. AILA has obtained copies of these videos and is tracking the roll out of this program. If you have additional information, please contact AILA.
AILA Doc. No. 19071832
7/17/2019
This practice pointer provides tips to help attorneys understand and navigate certain requirements that may arise when preparing asylum seeker or asylee EAD applications.
AILA Doc. No. 19071801
7/15/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee provides a practice alert noting that in light of the new biometrics requirement for all I-539 applicants, USCIS has discontinued its prior practice of providing premium processing as a courtesy for I-539s filed concurrently with a I-129 petition.
AILA Doc. No. 19071532
7/6/2019
The ACLU and advocates provide a practice advisory on the constitutional challenges to mandatory immigration detention after Nielsen v. Preap that authorizes ICE to impose mandatory detention any time after an individual’s predicate criminal offense.
AILA Doc. No. 19071102
7/10/2019
BuzzFeed reported that USCIS changed the window between when an immigrant is detained for crossing into the U.S. and when the credible fear interview occurs from 48 hours to one calendar day.
AILA Doc. No. 19071031
9/2/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee updated its practice alert regarding the closure of USCIS international field offices in light of the announcement that USCIS plans to maintain operations at seven of its international field offices.
AILA Doc. No. 19070237
6/27/2019
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provided a practice alert regarding a recent trend of PERM special handling denials where the chosen journals used for recruitment were Insidehighered.com or Higheredjobs.com. AILA was informed by the DOL OFLC that these denials appear to be a training issue.
AILA Doc. No. 19062792
6/27/2019
USCIS has released a new edition of Form I-192, dated 4/9/19. AILA reminds member that starting 6/28/19, USCIS will only accept the 4/9/19 edition of Form I-192. USCIS has also extended the grace period for the prior edition of Form I-918.
AILA Doc. No. 19062738
6/27/2019
On 6/26/19, USCIS updated its website to indicate that for family-sponsored filings for July 2019, applicants in the F2A category may file using the Final Action Dates chart in the July 2019 Visa Bulletin. AILA provides a practice alert on the issue.
AILA Doc. No. 19062730
6/24/2019
AILA reminds members that in April 2019, USCIS released a new version of Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur. The new edition is dated 4/15/19. Starting 6/25/19, USCIS will only accept the 4/15/19 edition of Form I-526.
AILA Doc. No. 19062432
8/23/2019
On 8/23/19, DHS and HHS published a joint final rule to amend regulations related to the apprehension, processing, care, custody, and release of undocumented juveniles in the Federal Register. The rule is effective 10/22/19.
AILA Doc. No. 19062495
6/21/2019
This practice resource from ASISTA, AILA, and other organizations provides strategies for practitioners in light of reports that USCIS recently issued a number of NTAs in connection with denied U and T visa applications.
AILA Doc. No. 19062401
10/4/2019
AILA updated its practice alert to notify members that on 9/4/19, USCIS published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions to pay a $10 fee for each registration they submit to USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19061332
6/10/2019
In an email sent to a Searchlight New Mexico journalist, ICE confirmed that the 2011 prosecutorial discretion memo and the 2009 Stay of Removal memo for U and T visa petitioners are still in effect.
AILA Doc. No. 19061000
6/7/2019
On 5/31/19, new questions were added to the Forms DS-160/DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application requiring the disclosure of the applicant’s social media and contact information.
AILA Doc. No. 19060706
6/17/2019
AILA has brought several issues to OFLC’s attention. OFLC has advised that members experiencing issues with the FLAG system should report those issues via the Flag Technical Help Request form or via AILA Liaison.
AILA Doc. No. 19060770
5/30/2019
AILA provides a practice alert on the AG certification of cases related to the judicial alteration of a criminal conviction or sentence. Attorneys should consider potential holdings to protect client interests. Special thanks to Russell Abrutyn and the Amicus Committee.
AILA Doc. No. 19053035
6/4/2019
AILA issued a practice alert on EOIR’s policy memo, No Dark Courtrooms, effective Wednesday, 5/1/19. This memo formalizes EOIR’s policy of “no dark courtrooms” and directs “OCIJ managers to ensure…that all blocks of available immigration court time are being utilized for scheduling cases.”
AILA Doc. No. 19052970
5/24/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee recently brought reports to DOL’s attention concerning several prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) that show a disconnect between the SOC Code and SOC Occupational Title. DOL confirmed that it is aware of this issue and is working on a fix.
AILA Doc. No. 19052435
5/16/2019
AILA issued this practice alert after being made aware of reports that some Form I-765, Applications for Employment Authorization, with an (A)(11) eligibility code for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) have been erroneously rejected by the Chicago Lockbox.
AILA Doc. No. 19051636
5/9/2019
AILA provides results from the recent call for examples survey concerning feeing in a motion with EOIR at local USCIS field offices, as well as updates on subsequent actions taken with both USCIS and the CIS Ombudsman’s office.
AILA Doc. No. 19050933
5/7/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provides a practice pointer summarizing key points from a presentation by Charles Oppenheim, Chief, DOS Visa Control and Reporting Division, at the IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum in Washington, D.C. on May 6, 2019, addressing important updates relating to EB-5 visa demand.
AILA Doc. No. 19050734
5/7/2019
AILA’s Administrative Litigation Task Force Chair Ronald Klasko provides a practice pointer discussing the ramifications of the recent district court ruling that enjoined the implementation of USCIS’s 8/9/18 memo on unlawful presence for F, J, and M nonimmigrants.
AILA Doc. No. 19050733
5/2/2019
AILA’s VAWA, U, and T Committee and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking provides instruction on how to navigate any confusion about the T visa holders’ exemption from the public charge ground of inadmissibility at the adjustment of status stage.
AILA Doc. No. 19050201
4/19/2019
AILA alerts members that USCIS has released a new version for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. The new edition is dated 1/31/19 and starting 5/20/19, USCIS will only accept this edition.
AILA Doc. No. 19041932
4/17/2019
AILA received reports from members of multiple-beneficiary petitions approved by the Vermont Service Center (VSC) that are missing the name of the first beneficiary (alphabetically, by surname) from the I-797B approval notice. AILA reached out to the VSC Premium Processing Unit.
AILA Doc. No. 19041799
4/17/2019
AILA, NIJC, Human Rights First, and Women’s Refugee Commission provide analysis and Q&A on Matter of M-S-.
AILA Doc. No. 19041739
4/17/2019
AILA alerts members that CBP updated its website with a notice informing stakeholders that beginning in May 2019, the format for I-94 numbers will change from numeric to alphanumeric. CBP mentioned that this change would not have an impact on validity of already issued I-94 records.
AILA Doc. No. 19041738
4/16/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer regarding stopped or bounced checks and credit card payments at USCIS Lockbox facilities, and reminds practitioners of the consequences of a stopped payment or bounced check on a benefit request filed with USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19041735
4/9/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides recommendations for how to determine whether a J-1 exchange visitor client is subject to the home residency requirement by utilizing the DOS Skills List published in the Federal Register.
AILA Doc. No. 18031939
4/8/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer on the 11/30/2019 USCIS policy memorandum, which provides guidance to officers on waiving the interview requirement for Form I-751 and sets forth the factors that officers must consider before an interview may be waived.
AILA Doc. No. 19040830
3/29/2019
USCIS published for notice and comment a proposed form for receiving information from the public concerning purported immigration fraud. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has created a fact sheet on the form, as well as a comment template, that advocates can use to oppose the proposal.
AILA Doc. No. 19040800
4/2/2019
AILA has received reports of difficulties experienced at local USCIS offices when attempting to fee in an EOIR motion/application via an InfoPass appointment, or in emergency situations via walk-in. AILA solicited examples and raised several to the attention of USCIS and the CIS Ombudsman.
AILA Doc. No. 19040230
5/9/2019
DHS and DOL issued a joint temporary final rule increasing the H-2B cap for FY2019 by an additional 30,000 visas. Employers will be able to request these supplemental visas only for workers who were issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY2016, 2017, or 2018.
AILA Doc. No. 19032933
3/27/2019
The DOL Liaison Committee provides a practice alert on DOL delays in completing business verification (FEIN) requests, reminding members seeking verification that they should check the status of a request in the DOL iCert portal system for time-sensitive filings.
AILA Doc. No. 19032770
3/22/2019
AILA’s California and Vermont Service Center Liaison Committees provide a practice pointer intended to equip practitioners with legal authority for USCIS’s consideration of an expert opinion when responding to a Request for Evidence (RFE) and including an expert opinion.
AILA Doc. No. 19032230
3/20/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides on update on ongoing technical difficulties with Form DS-3035 addressed during the October 2018 liaison meeting.
AILA Doc. No. 19032031
3/20/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer summarizing the signature requirements for each form type, in particular designating which form instructions explicitly designate that a copy of an original “wet” signature will be accepted by USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19010900
5/14/2019
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee provides a timeline of its engagements with CBP concerning policy changes in subsequent L-1 adjudications at the port of entry under NAFTA. The committee also provides a summary of legal arguments and policy considerations raised with CBP in April 2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19030730
3/11/2019
AILA’s California Service Center Liaison Committee provided a practice alert notifying members that USCIS has recently updated its filing addresses for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
AILA Doc. No. 19031100
3/8/2019
On 3/8/19, USCIS published to its website revised Form I-539 and new Form I-539A and instructions for these forms. USCIS will continue accepting Form I-539 with an edition date of 12/23/16 until 3/21/19, as long as it is received by USCIS by that date.
AILA Doc. No. 19021234
3/6/2019
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provided a practice alert on the EB-5 visa backlog. Special thanks for AILA members Bernard Wolfsdorf, Robert Blanco, and Carolyn Lee for their contributions.
AILA Doc. No. 19030631
3/25/2019
In preparation for the FY2020 H-1B nonimmigrant visa cap season, AILA provides practical filing tips and related resources.
AILA Doc. No. 19030601
2/28/2019
The DOS Liaison Committee issued a practice pointer on the five-year bar under INA §212(a)(6)(B) and the grounds of inadmissibility for an individual who without reasonable cause, fails to appear for a removal proceeding or has an in absentia removal order and is now seeking admission to the U.S.
AILA Doc. No. 19022840
2/26/2019
DOS has confirmed that while the U.S. Consular Section in Caracas, Venezuela, is unable to process immigrant (IV) and nonimmigrant visas (NIV), the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, has been designated as the primary filing location for IV applications. NIV applicants may file at any consular post.
AILA Doc. No. 19021333
7/24/2019
AILA updated its practice alert with information on the USCIS final rule, published in the Federal Register on 7/24/19, making significant changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The final rule is scheduled to take effect on 11/21/19.
AILA Doc. No. 19022542
2/22/2019
AILA notes that the proposed DHS H-4 EAD rescission regulation is currently pending review with OMB. Once OMB completes review, a notice of proposed rulemaking will be published in the Federal Register and open for public comment.
AILA Doc. No. 19022203
2/21/2019
AILA has learned that DOS is considering a reorganization that would result in Bureau of Consular Affairs lawyers becoming part of the Office of the Legal Adviser.
AILA Doc. No. 19022134
2/19/2019
On February 15, 2019, President Trump signed an omnibus spending bill which includes a provision providing limited cap relief to H-2B employers during FY2019. The Secretary of Homeland Security has yet to announce how many additional H-2B visas will be made available for the remainder of FY2019.
AILA Doc. No. 19021940
2/15/2019
AILA’s USCIS Service Center Operations Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer discussing the potential consequences of employers filing a FY2020 H-1B cap-subject petition while a FY2019 petition for the same beneficiary remains pending.
AILA Doc. No. 19021547
2/15/2019
AILA’s National Benefits Center Liaison Committee provides a practice pointer discussing the October 16, 2018, USCIS announcement that it was updating its policy guidance regarding the period of validity of Form I-693.
AILA Doc. No. 19021540
2/13/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides information concerning the legal authority to revoke a visa, as well as when a revocation becomes effective. The committee also provides an update from the 10/18/18 DOS liaison meeting, in which the committee addressed several issues concerning visa revocations.
AILA Doc. No. 18072406
2/11/2019
This practice pointer describes arguments that attorneys may make when immigration judges pretermit asylum applications without affording the applicants an individual calendar hearing at which they can present testimony and other evidence in support of their asylum cases.
AILA Doc. No. 19021130
2/21/2020
AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Committee has received reports regarding the inconsistent adjudication of advance parole applications for individuals in H or L status with pending AOS applications who travel abroad while their advance parole is pending with USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 17081867
7/12/2019
AILA’s USCIS Field Operations Liaison Committee provides information and updates on the expansion of the Information Services Modernization (InfoMod) Program. Under the program, in-person appointments will be scheduled only for document services and emergencies.
AILA Doc. No. 18020500
1/31/2019
AILA provides a practice alert on long-pending EAD/AP applications at the National Benefits Center.
AILA Doc. No. 18100503
1/31/2019
DHS released a copy of a final rule that amends the regulations governing H-1B petitions that are filed under the H-1B cap. Note, DHS is suspending the electronic registration requirement for the FY2020 H-1B cap filing season.
AILA Doc. No. 18111639
11/26/2019
Back in 2015, EOIR used a “parking date” of November 29, 2019, to help manage its immigration court docket. AILA is trying to gauge if these hearings have been rescheduled. Please submit your examples if you have a hearing on that date.
AILA Doc. No. 18091858
1/31/2019
AILA has received reports of technical problems with the functioning of the online Form DS-160, causing the form to time out after only a few minutes. According to a recent update from the Department of State, this issue has been identified and resolved.
AILA Doc. No. 19013141
1/30/2019
The Department of State (DOS) and Mission China shared information concerning a plan to consolidate the processing of H and L visa applications. Starting 3/1/19 interviews will now be held only at the U.S. Embassy Bejing, U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, and U.S. Consulate General Shanghai.
AILA Doc. No. 19013039
11/6/2019
AILA updated its practice alert after the Supreme Court agreed to hear several cases challenging the rescission of DACA.
AILA Doc. No. 18011035
1/28/2019
Drawing on information from government announcement and past government shutdowns, AILA provides an overview as to how this shutdown may impact immigration-related agencies. We will update this practice alert as new information becomes available.
AILA Doc. No. 17042640
1/23/2019
After being down for almost a day, as of 1/23/19 it appears that the Department of Labor Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) wage library is back online.
AILA Doc. No. 19012245
1/21/2019
AILA’s USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding USCIS’ checklists of required initial evidence and reminds members of the importance of consulting the applicable statute, regulations, and form instructions before submitting a benefit request to USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 19012200
1/17/2019
Due to changes to USCIS’s public inquiry escalation process, AILA has updated its individual case liaison assistance procedures for cases pending at the USCIS Service Centers.
AILA Doc. No. 16061604
1/17/2019
This Practice Pointer breaks down the policy changes implemented by the November 15, 2018, USCIS memo, “Satisfying the L-1 1-Year Foreign Employment Requirement,” which became effective on November 29, 2018. Special thanks to Vaman Kidambi, Kathleen Campbell Walker, and Turid Owren.
AILA Doc. No. 19011730
1/11/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides updates from a conversation from the 10/18/18 liaison meeting with DOS concerning payment of visa fees at U.S. consulates in Mission Mexico.
AILA Doc. No. 19011130
1/11/2019
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides guidance for using internet archive websites, such as the Wayback Machine, to access older versions of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and other agency documents.
AILA Doc. No. 19011132
1/10/2019
AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee provides assistance in resolving common issues with the Petition Information Management Service (PIMS) and understanding the Kentucky Consular Center’s (KCC’s) role in fraud review and consular returns.
AILA Doc. No. 18031336
1/9/2019
On January 7, the iCERT system reopened. DOL indicates that as of January 8, the OFLC has received approximately 5,276 H-2B applications covering more than 96,400 workers. Members encountering issues in accessing or filing through the system are encouraged to contact DOL at h2b.ombudsman@dol.gov.
AILA Doc. No. 19010231
1/9/2019
The Department of State Liaison Committee discusses the scope of LegalNet review for inquiries concerning nonimmigrant visa refusals under INA section 214(b), as well as refusals based on unfavorable findings from DHS.
AILA Doc. No. 19011001
1/8/2019
AILA’s Administrative Litigation Task Force provides a practice pointer regarding filing mandamus actions in district court to request adjudications of H-1B petitions for F-1 cap-gap beneficiaries, which includes a sample mandamus complaint for H-1B cap-gap cases.
AILA Doc. No. 18100370
1/2/2019
AILA provides a practice alert regarding FY2019 H-1B cap-subject petitions which remain pending with the California Service Center. USCIS has indicated that it is unable to provide a timeframe for the processing of these cases but that it is working diligently to process them as soon as possible.
AILA Doc. No. 19010232
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