USCIS Forms Update Notice

From the USCIS Bulletin:

USCIS Forms Update Notice 

Update to Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record; New Edition Dated 07/15/19

Update to Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility; New Edition Dated 07/03/19

Update to Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; New Edition Dated 07/03/19

It is important to check for the most recent forms. For more information on USCIS and its programs, you can visit www.uscis.gov or you can follow USCIS on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@uscis)."

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.whhmlaw.com.

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm

USCIS - Re-Registration Period Now Open for Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status

Direct from USCIS  Bulletin:

" WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under El Salvador’s designation who want to maintain their status through the effective  termination date of Sept. 9, 2019, must re-register between Jan. 18, 2018, and March 19, 2018.

Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documents, have been published in the Federal Register and on uscis.gov/tps.

All applicants must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. Applicants may also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at the time of filing Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Both forms are free for download on USCIS’ website at uscis.gov/tps.

USCIS will issue new EADs with a Sept. 9, 2019, expiration date to eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, however, USCIS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on March 9, 2018. Accordingly, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of EADs issued and currently valid under the TPS designation of El Salvador for 180 days, through Sept. 5, 2018. 

On Jan. 8, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen determined that the statutory conditions supporting El Salvador’s TPS designation on the basis of an environmental disaster are no longer met. Secretary Nielsen made her decision to terminate TPS for El Salvador after reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies. To allow time for an orderly transition, she also delayed the effective date of the termination for 18 months from the current expiration date of March 9, 2018. As a result of the delayed effective date, El Salvador’s TPS designation will end on Sept. 9, 2019.   

Salvadorans with TPS may wish to consult with qualified immigration attorneys or practitioners about their eligibility for another immigration status or benefit, or whether there is any other action they may want to take regarding their individual immigration circumstances." 

For more information on USCIS and its programs, you can visit www.uscis.gov or you can follow USCIS on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@uscis)."

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.medveskylaw.com.

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm  #TPS

USCIS Forms Update Notice

Direct from the USCIS:

"... the following USCIS form(s):

Update to Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status

10/31/2017 12:00 AM EDT

New edition dated 10/19/17. Starting 12/30/2017, we will only accept the 10/19/17 edition of Form I-821. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 and 02/20/14 editions.

For more information, please visit our [USCIS] Forms Updates page."

All USCIS forms are free on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/forms.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, you can visit www.uscis.gov or you can follow USCIS on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@uscis)."

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.medveskylaw.com.

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm

USCIS - Deadline to Register for Nepal TPS is Dec. 21, 2015

Deadline approaching quickly. Direct from USCIS Bulletin:

"The deadline for eligible nationals of Nepal (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is Monday, Dec. 21, 2015. This deadline marks the end of the 180-day initial registration period. The TPS designation for Nepal runs from June 24, 2015, through Dec. 24, 2016.

Eligibility

To be eligible for TPS, you must demonstrate that you meet all eligibility criteria, including that you have been both “continuously physically present” and “continuously residing” in the U.S. since June 24, 2015. You must also undergo thorough security checks. Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS.

Registering

To register for TPS, you must submit:

• Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status;
• The Form I-821 application fee (or a fee-waiver request);
• The biometric services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if you are 14 years of age or older;
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether you want an Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and
• The Form I-765 application fee (or a fee-waiver request), but only if you want an EAD. If you do not want an EAD, no application fee is required. There is no Form I-765 fee for initial applicants under the age of 14 or over 65; these applicants may receive their initial EAD cards for free.

Fees and Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the fee, you may request that we waive the Form I-821 application fee, Form I-765 application fee, or biometric services fee by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or submitting a written request. You must also submit supporting documentation with your fee-waiver request. We will reject your TPS application if you do not submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

Additional Information

For more information about the designation of Nepal for TPS—including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file—visit uscis.gov/tps, the Nepal TPS page or the Federal Register notice.

This Web alert is also available in Nepali.

For more information, visit our website."

 

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.whhmlaw.com

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #LawFirm

USCIS Bulletin - Temporary Immigration Relief Measures Available for Individuals Affected by Typhoon Soudelor

Direct from USCIS:

"On August 2, 2015, Typhoon Soudelor caused extensive damage in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). USCIS reminds customers affected by Typhoon Soudelor that certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief may be available to them. USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits.

Eligible individuals may request or apply for temporary relief measures, including:

   • A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;

   •  Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;

   •  Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and

   •  Assistance to Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in a place that does not have a local USCIS office.

USCIS may also exercise its discretion to allow for filing delays resulting from the typhoon. This may include, for example:

   •  Assistance to those who have not appeared for an interview or submitted required forms of evidence. You may show how the typhoon prevented you from appearing or submitting documents as required; or

   •  Assistance to those who have not been able to respond to a request for evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID). USCIS will extend the deadline for individuals to respond to RFEs or NOIDs by 30 days. This will apply to all RFEs and NOIDs with a deadline of August 2 through September 2, 2015. During this time, USCIS will not issue denials based on abandonment of an application or petition in the CNMI.

USCIS will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updated guidance as needed.

To learn how to request relief or more about how USCIS assists customers affected by unforeseen circumstances in their home country, visit uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-767-1833).

Please check back at uscis.gov for any additional information that may come later and follow us on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon."

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.whhmlaw.com

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm

USCIS Press Release - USCIS Launches Citizenship Public Awareness Initiative

Direct from USCIS:

"USCIS Launches Citizenship Public Awareness Initiative

 

Release Date: July 06, 2015

    

National Effort Highlights Agency’s Free Citizenship Preparation Tools

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a series of promotional materials today as part of the Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Initiative. This media campaign builds on a similar effort from 2011 and is being launched under the umbrella of the Task Force on New Americans and President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.

This effort is intended to raise awareness about the rights, responsibilities and importance of U.S. citizenship and provide information on the naturalization process and USCIS educational resources. The promotional campaign guides lawful permanent residents towards the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center for official, accurate and reliable information on citizenship and naturalization topics..." see full release here - http://1.usa.gov/1RwhCAX

***

Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In the short time I have been practicing in this area, I have had a good number of more experienced immigration attorneys say it is best for everyone who is eligible to become a US citizens should do so. At first I thought this advice was a little bit arrogant. I asked myself how I would feel if I felt people from other nations were pushing me to become a citizen of their country. Changing citizenship seems to me to be a little more difficult than transferring colleges or moving to a new state.

But now I'm starting to see the issues that arise when you wait. We don't realize it but our paper records can become "corrupted" similar to an electronic file. For instance, some clerk in a DMV incorrectly inputs an address into the immigrant's driving record where the immigrant never lived, someone accidentally registers to vote when they get their license, or some other information is inaccurately enter on one of the thousands of records kept on us without notice until the immigrant applies for citizenship. It can make the process that much harder.

Other issues that I've seen impact the naturalization process are arrests on minor offenses, incapacitation, and the procurement of old records are some of the challenges I have come across in my short time in my immigration practice.  

For these reasons, I now agree immigrants should consider applying for US Citizenship as soon as they are eligible. Eligibility is not a permanent state. It can be lost easier than it was gained.

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Medvesky Law Office, LLC, check out my website at www.medveskylaw.com.

#Bucks_County #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #Montgomery_County #Souderton #Law_Firm, #Pennsylvania

USCIS Bulletin - Temporary Protected Status Registration Period Extended for Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone

For those who may think this is just a post of USCIS material, you would be correct. Anyone can receive this information from the USCIS website or sign up for the bulletins I receive. I do this as a service for people who do not know about the government website or who do not wish to receive bulletins. I do not repose everything I get from USCIS. I hope people who come across my blog find it helpful. I also leave all the USCIS links in so people can go deeper into the information. People can also be reassured they are looking at and being directed to USCIS information. I know there are sites out there that look like government site but are not. So to the extent I can help people find information they need, I am happy and that is why I copy the USCIS information and post it here. For those of you who check out my blog, I thank you for your time and consideration.

Direct from USCIS:

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the initial registration deadline for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from May 20, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2015, for eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in one of those three countries). Further details about the extension of the initial registration period appear in a Federal Register notice published today.

We strongly encourage eligible TPS applicants from these three countries to apply as soon as possible because applications will only be accepted through August 18, 2015.

We began accepting TPS applications on Nov. 21, 2014, from applicants of these three countries when DHS announced the 18-month TPS designations for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, from Nov. 21, 2014, through May 21, 2016. If you submitted an application for one of these three countries and we previously returned the application based on the May 20, 2015 deadline, you may now resubmit your complete application by Aug. 18, 2015.

Eligibility

To be eligible for TPS, you must demonstrate that you meet all eligibility criteria, including that you have been “continuously residing” in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, and “continuously physically present” in the United States since Nov. 21, 2014. You must also undergo thorough security checks. Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS.

Additionally, you may apply for TPS even if you are a Liberian national currently covered under the two-year extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) based on President Obama’s Sept. 26, 2014 memorandum. If you are a DED-covered Liberian national and you have an EAD or have applied for an EAD, you do not need to apply for another EAD related to this TPS designation. However, if you are granted TPS, you may request a TPS-related EAD at a later date as long as the TPS designation for Liberia remains in effect.

Registering

To register, you must submit:

• Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.
• The Form I-821 application fee (or a fee-waiver request).
• The biometrics services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if you are 14 years old or older.
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether you want an EAD.
• The Form I-765 application fee (or a fee-waiver request), but only if you want an EAD. If you do not want an EAD, no application fee is required. There is no Form I-765 fee for initial applicants under the age of 14, or 66 and over; these applicants may receive their initial EAD cards for free.

Fees and Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the fee, you may request that we waive the Form I-821 application fee, Form I-765 application fee and biometrics services fee. However, you must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or submit a written request. You must also send in supporting documentation with your fee-waiver request. We will reject your TPS application if you do not submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

Additional information about TPS for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone – including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file – is available at uscis.gov/tps.

This Web alert is also available in French.

La date d’échéance d’inscription pour le TPS concernant le Libéria, la Guinée et la Sierra Leone est le 20 mai 2015

Le mercredi 20 mai 2015  sera la date d’échéance pour les ressortissants éligibles du Libéria, de la Guinée et de la Sierra Leone (et pour les personnes apatrides qui ont résidé en dernier lieu dans l’un de ces trois pays) concernant l’inscription pour le Statut de Protection Temporaire (Temporary Protected Status ou TPS). La désignation TPS fonctionne du 21 novembre 2014 au 21 mai 2016.

Éligibilité

Pour être éligible au TPS, vous devez démontrer votre qualification aux critères d’éligibilité, y compris le fait que vous avez « résidé de manière continuelle » aux États-Unis depuis le 20 novembre 2014 et que vous avez été « continuellement et physiquement présent » aux États-Unis depuis le 21 novembre 2014. Vous devez également passer des vérifications complètes de sécurité. Les personnes avec certains casiers judiciaires ou bien posant une menace à la sécurité nationale ne sont pas éligibles au TPS.
Par ailleurs, vous pouvez faire la demande de TPS, même si vous êtes un ressortissant libérien couramment sous l’effet de la prolongation de deux ans de la Déportation Forcée Différée (Deferred Enforced Departure ou DED) basée sur le mémorandum du Président Obama en date du 26 septembre 2014. Si vous êtes un ressortissant libérien couvert par la DED et que vous avez un EAD (Permis de Travail) ou que vous avez déposé une demande d’EAD, vous n’avez pas besoin de demander un autre EAD relatif à cette désignation TPS. Toutefois, si le TPS vous est accordé, vous pouvez faire la demande d’EAD lié au TPS à une date ultérieure, dès lors que la désignation du TPS pour le Libéria demeure en vigueur.

Comment s’inscrire

Pour vous inscrire, vous devez fournir :

• Le formulaire I-821, Demande de Statut de Protection Temporaire.
• Les frais de services biométriques (ou une demande d’exemption de ces frais) si vous êtes âgé de 14 ans ou plus.
• Le formulaire I-765, Demande de Permis de Travail, indépendamment du fait que vous voulez ou non un EAD.
• Les frais de demande liés au formulaire I-765 ou une demande d’exemption de ces frais, mais seulement si vous voulez un EAD. Si vous ne voulez pas d’EAD, aucun frais de demande ne s’applique. Il n’y a pas de frais liés au formulaire I-765 pour les postulants pour la première fois âgés de moins de 14 ans, ou de 66 ans et plus ; ces postulants peuvent recevoir leurs premières cartes d’EAD gratuitement.

Frais et exemptions des frais

Si vous ne pouvez pas payer les frais, vous pouvez demander une exemption des frais de demande associés au formulaire I-765 ou aux services biométriques. Toutefois, vous devez remplir et déposer le Formulaire I-912, Demande d’Exemption des Frais ou remettre une demande par écrit. Vous devez aussi envoyer la documentation à l'appui de votre demande d’exemption des frais. Votre demande de TPS sera refusée si vous ne remettez pas les frais de demande obligatoires ou une demande correctement documentée d’exemption des frais.
D’autres informations sur le TPS concernant le Libéria, la Guinée et la Sierra Leone—y compris des directives sur l’éligibilité, le processus de demande et où déposer la demande—sont à votre disposition à uscis.gov/tps.
Cet avis sur le web est également disponible en anglais."

 If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Medvesky Law Office, LLC, check out my website at www.medveskylaw.com.

 

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm

USCIS Bulletin - Initial Registration Deadline for Syria TPS Is July 6, 2015

Direct from USCIS:

"Monday, July 6, 2015, is the deadline for eligible nationals of Syria (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) who do not currently hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to register for TPS. The redesignation of Syria for TPS runs from Jan. 5, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

Eligibility

To be eligible for TPS, you must demonstrate that you meet all eligibility criteria, including that you have been “continuously residing” in the United States since Jan. 5, 2015, and “continuously physically present in” the United States since April 1, 2015. You must also undergo thorough security checks. Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS.

Registering

To register, you must submit:

• Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status;
• The Form I-821 application fee (or a fee-waiver request);
• The biometrics services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if you are 14 years old or older;
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether you want an EAD; and
• The Form I-765 application fee (or a fee-waiver request), but only if you want an EAD. If you do not want an EAD, no application fee is required. There is no Form I-765 fee for initial applicants under the age of 14 or over 65; these applicants may receive their initial EAD cards for free.

Fees and Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the fee, you may request that we waive the Form I-821 application fee, Form I-765 application fee or biometrics fee. However, you must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or submit a written request. You must also send in supporting documentation with your fee-waiver request. We will reject your TPS application if you do not submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

Additional Information

More information about the designation of Syria for TPS—including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file—is available at uscis.gov/tps, the Syria TPS page and in the Federal Register notice."

 

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Medvesky Law Office, LLC, check out my website at www.medveskylaw.com.

 

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm

 

 

USCIS Bulletin - Don’t Let Your Work Permit Expire; Follow These DACA Renewal Tips

Letting most things expire with USCIS can be problematic. Please pay attention to expiration and renewal dates.

Direct from USCIS:

"Some people wait too long to request DACA renewal or do not correctly submit all the required forms and fees. As a result, their Employment Authorization Documents may expire before USCIS can finish processing their requests for DACA renewal.

You can lessen the chance that this may happen if you:

• File on time. Submit your renewal request between 150 days and 120 days before the expiration date listed on your current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and Employment Authorization Document.
• Correctly submit all required forms and fees. USCIS will reject your renewal request unless you properly submit:
• Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals;
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization;
• Form I-765 Worksheet; and
• Required fees of $465
• Avoid processing delays. Be sure to submit:
• Any new documents and information related to removal proceedings or criminal history that you have not already submitted to USCIS in a previously approved DACA request,
• Proof of advance parole if you have traveled outside the United States since you filed your last DACA request that was approved; and
• Proof of any legal name change.
• Respond to Requests for Evidence. USCIS may deny your renewal request if you do not respond to a Request for Evidence in a timely manner.

For complete instructions, go to the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) page.

Since March 27, 2015, USCIS has been mailing renewal reminder notices to DACA recipients 180 days before the expiration date of their current period of deferred action. Previously, these reminder notices were mailed 100 days in advance. The earlier notices are intended to ensure that DACA recipients are reminded before the start of the recommended renewal period and have sufficient time to prepare their renewal requests.

USCIS’ current goal is to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days. You may submit an inquiry about the status of your renewal request after it has been pending more than 105 days. To submit an inquiry online, please visit egov.uscis.gov/e-request, or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-767-1833)"

If you want to know more about Mark Medvesky or Medvesky Law Office, LLC, check out my website at www.medveskylaw.com.

 

#BucksCounty #Immigration #lawyer #lawyers, #MontgomeryCounty #Souderton #Law_Firm