NURSES AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS QUALIFY FOR AN EXPEDITED GREEN CARD PROCESS

Rising demand for nursing staff and a falling supply of nurses has contributed to the largest nursing shortage the U.S. has ever experienced, and is expected to intensify through 2023. Fortunately, there is a way for hospitals and health care providers to augment their staff with qualified nurses from abroad through a faster path to a Green Card than is available for other professions.

Copies (Instead of Original Signatures) Permanently Permitted by USCIS

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. On July 25, 2022, USCIS announced that it will continue accepting copies of original signatures on all forms and documents as a permanent policy. This makes permanent the temporary signature policy that USCIS announced in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that petitioners and beneficiaries can submit …

Ukrainians Already in the United States May Be Able to Stay for 2 Years with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Ukrainian nationals who entered the United States on or before April 11, 2022, and who have maintained continuous presence in the US since April 19, 2022, may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Secretary of Homeland Security from time-to-time designates a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily …

Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) Increased to 540 Days for Certain Visa Categories

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. In light of continued processing delays at USCIS, a temporary final rule has been announced to automatically increase Employment Authorization Card extensions from 180 days, to 540 days. The extension will begin from the expiration date of the employment authorization and/or EAD, and is available for applicants with pending Form I-765 …

USCIS Adds Premium Processing Service for Forms I-765, I-539, and I-140

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. Major news for those seeking faster processing times to obtain their Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Green Card petition based on employment, and application to change or extend status! USCIS will roll out new phases of premium processing expansion throughout FY 2022 as part of a collective effort to reduce backlogs and …

Additional 35,000 H-2B Visas to Be Released for April to September season 2022

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. In response to worker shortages and the upcoming spring/summer season, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) announced the imminent release of 35,000 additional H-2B visas for employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022. The publication of the …

Good News for Spouses: Automatic Employment Authorization for H-4, E, and L-2 Visas

By Jennifer Grady, Esq. November 10, 2021: The historic settlement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas (Case No. 21-cv-1296-RSM) provides structural changes for nonimmigrant H-4 and L-2 spouses suffering from long-delayed processing times for the processing of applications for employment authorization. The litigation successfully achieved the reversal of …

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Immigrant Visa/Green Card Applicants

Starting October 1st, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine will be the latest addition to the list of required vaccinations for applicants of Adjustment of Status for Green Card in the U.S., and for applicants applying for an immigrant visa from abroad. Currently, there are 14 required vaccinations for those applying for green card or permanent residence …

Proposed Visa Program for Entrepreneurs Establishing Start-ups In The United States

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. The Grady Firm is keeping a close eye on the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act, which was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 26, 2021. The proposed bill is in the beginning stages, and is currently referred to the House Committee for further study and consideration. H.R. 4681, …

H-2B Visas for Local Truck Drivers During Driver Shortages

Photo by Quintin Gellar on pexels.com by Jennifer Grady, Esq. The U.S. trucker shortage is expected to more than double over the next decade as the industry struggles to replace aging drivers and recruit more women. The driver deficit swelled 60,800 in 2018, which was a 17% increase over the prior year, according to a …

Listen to our Podcast on Strategies for Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS

Join Beverly Hills immigration attorneys, Jennifer Grady, Esq. and Anthony Mance, Esq. as they share tips and insight into how to prepare a winning RFE response that will stand out and position your application for an approval. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new data confirming that employment-based immigration applications have seen a sharp increase …

Jennifer Grady, Esq. to Speak at Export Trade Assistance Partnership on Immigration in Today’s Global Economy on June 20

On June 20, 2019, Jennifer Grady, Esq. will be speaking at the Export Trade Assistance Partnership Program 2019 (ETAP) Session on International Shipping and Legal Issues covering export distribution considerations for US companies exporting abroad. This event is sponsored by the U.S Small Business Association and the Riverside County Economic Development Agency Office of Foreign …

Getting Married? Take $100 off our Green Card Application Package

GREEN CARD BASED ON MARRIAGE WEDDING SEASON SPECIAL Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash Before getting married, engaged couples should start preparing their application to apply for a Green Card based on marriage to their US citizen spouse so that they can apply as soon as they receive their marriage certificate. Just in time …

Cap on H-1B Visas for FY 2020 Reached Within 5 Days

Each year, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants 85,000 H-1B visas to applicants in "specialty occupations". This cap has not increased since 2004, and has been greatly outweighed by demand over the last few years. Within the first five days of the 2020 fiscal year application filing period, which started on April 1, …

H-2B Visas for Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. Updated August 19, 2021 The H-2B visa permits US employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States for the purposes of filling temporary, non-agricultural jobs.  It is commonly used for occupations in the hospitality (hotels, ski resorts), retail, and service industries (landscape contractors). Congress has set a numerical limit, or …