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Captain Ewok

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    Suggestions for Guide Updates?

    in Site-Related Discussion - Updates, Ideas, etc.

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

    Sure I would love to help actually. Let me work on it this week while my kids are at school and daycare. I'll take the existing one and compare it to the new model and mesh it together. It would be fun, thanks for the opportunity :) 

    Of course!  In fact the page itself can be edited by members (top Edit link in green).

     

    Thank you in advance!

    Trump To Suspend H-1B and Other Visas Until End Of Year

    in Coronavirus Covid-19

    Posted

    President Trump is expected to sign an order to suspend H-1B, L-1 and other temporary work visas through the end of the year, according to the multiple sources familiar with the plan.

    The new order — which is expected to come with broad exceptions — comes as the administration continues to wrestle with high unemployment among American workers because of the coronavirus pandemic and tries to kick-start the economic recovery.

     

    The order would target H-1B visas, which are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in the tech industry, as well as L-1 visas, which are meant for executives who work for large corporations.

     

    https://www.npr.org/2020/06/20/881245867/trump-expected-to-suspend-h-1b-other-visas-until-end-of-year

     

    https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/us-president-donald-trump-to-suspend-h1b-visas-will-not-affect-those-already-in-the-states/articleshow/76492270.cms

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    K1 Visa I-129F Processing at CSC Now at 150 Days -- Total K1 Timeline Now 9 months

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    We monitor USCIS and Embassy Processing times and not entirely unexpected due to Covid19 impacts, the California Service Center (CSC) is now taking up to 150 days to process I-129F petitions.  This is a sharp uptick since April but in general we have seen processing times increase from 100 to 150 days in the last 6 months.

     

    After an I-129F petition is approved at the CSC there is now an amazing 30 day wait for the petition to be forwarded to the NVC, where there is a 24 day delay for processing.

     

    All told, assuming a 2 month processing time at the embassy (once they open) the total K1 Visa timeline is currently around 9 months.  Historically this is not a high, but the trend since last year has unfortunately reversed.  In 2019 the K1 processing timeline went down from 10 months to 6 -- largely due to processing time decreases at the CSC -- but is back up to 9 months.

     

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    USCIS Offices are Opening

    in Coronavirus Covid-19

    Posted

    Summary of details as follows:

    June 4 Reopening

    Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices will resume non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. Application support centers will resume services later. USCIS has enacted precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in reopened facilities:

     

    • Visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
      • Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
      • Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
      • Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
    • Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
    • Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points. 
    • Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. If they do not have one, USCIS may provide one or the visitor will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
    • There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.
    • Individuals may also have to answer health screening questions before entering a facility. 
    • Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.

     

    Appointment notices will include further instructions for visiting USCIS facilities. Please note that USCIS locations are not accepting walk-in visits at this time. You must have a scheduled appointment with USCIS before arriving at a USCIS office.

    Timeline duplication problem

    in Site-Related Discussion - Updates, Ideas, etc.

    Posted

    On 5/31/2020 at 7:38 AM, StephWilde said:

    Hey so when i try to view/update my timeline it comes up saying its been duplicated and to contact admin to fix it. I cant find a contact admin services button or anything so I'm throwing it out here to see if anyone can help. 

     

    Thanks in advance :)

    You and your fiance both have timelines.  Do you want them separate or linked so only one person needs to update it?

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    USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4th

    in Coronavirus Covid-19

    Posted

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to protect our workforce and the public. For the latest information on the status of individual offices, check our office closures page.

     

    While certain offices are temporarily closed, USCIS continues to provide limited emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.

    As services begin to reopen, offices will reduce the number of appointments and interviews to ensure social distancing, allow time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment notices will contain information on safety precautions that visitors to USCIS facilities must follow.

     

    If you are feeling sick, please do not go to your appointment. Follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment for when you are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling your appointment if you are sick.

    Asylum Offices

    USCIS asylum offices will automatically reschedule asylum interviews that were cancelled during the temporary closures. When USCIS reschedules the interview, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location for the interview and information about safety precautions.

     

    In accordance with social distancing guidelines, and due to the length of asylum interviews, asylum offices expect to conduct video-facilitated asylum interviews, where the applicants sit in one room and the interviewing officer sits in another room. Asylum offices will use available technology, including mobile devices provided by the agency, to ensure that the officer, applicant, interpreter and representative can fully and safely participate in the interview while maintaining social distancing.

     

    For affirmative asylum interviews, applicants must bring all immediate family members listed as dependents on the application and an interpreter, if the applicant does not speak English.  Additionally, a representative, witness, individual providing disability accommodations or “trusted adult” if an applicant is a minor, may attend the interview.

     

    For non-detained credible or reasonable fear interviews, individuals must bring any family members listed on the interview notice. Representatives may attend credible and reasonable fear interviews but are encouraged to participate telephonically. USCIS will provide contracted, professional interpreters for credible and reasonable fear interviews.

    Naturalization Ceremonies

    USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. The ceremonies may be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Instead of playing videos during naturalization ceremonies, attendees will receive a flyer with information and links directing them to the videos on the USCIS website. Under the shortened format, all legally required portions of the ceremony will take place.

     

    Attendance is limited to the naturalization candidate and individuals providing assistance to disabled persons.

    Interviews and Appointments

    USCIS will send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Those attending appointments should follow the safety guidelines outlined below.

    Those who had other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public. Please check our office closure page to see if your respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center.  

     

    Visitors are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member and one individual providing disability accommodations. The applicant should arrange to have their interpreter available by phone. 

    Application Support Centers

    USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements. Individuals who appear at a date or time other than what is listed on the ASC appointment notice may encounter significant processing delays, except for military members. 

    Guidelines for Entering USCIS Facilities

    • Visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
      • Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
      • Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
      • Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
    • Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
    • Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points. 
    • Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph. There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.
    • Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.
       

    More information on visiting USCIS facilities can be found at uscis.gov/visitorpolicy.

    Please also visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates.

    Separate Sections for I-864 & DS-260 ?

    in Site-Related Discussion - Updates, Ideas, etc.

    Posted

    On 5/24/2020 at 9:27 AM, onek said:

    What do you think about having separate sections for I-864 and DS-260 under IR-1/CR1 process? There are too many questions regarding DS-260 related questions and I-864 related questions. Separating them will provide better guideline for the repeated questions and not get lost in the general process related questions. 

    Can you post a link to where you are suggesting splitting things?

    Post Bugs here!

    in Site-Related Discussion - Updates, Ideas, etc.

    Posted

    33 minutes ago, laylalex said:

    Any idea why the country flags appear at the top of each person's post AND on their info on the left of their post? I have only seen this in the AOS forum so far.

    4tkzzid.jpg

     

    I went to get the link but the bug has now disappeared. Weird!

    It will clear up quickly.  We are trying to get these items added to mobile view only on the top.

    CSC Slow to Process I-129F

    in USCIS Service Centers

    Posted

    19 hours ago, codyfitzsimmons said:

    05/22/20: Does anyone have any information that can shed light onto why, currently, the USCIS CSC is literally crawling along at a snails pace in processing i-129f petitions, i.e. they have been stuck on Jan. 16th for going on 4 days now. While on the other hand both the USCIS TSC and the VSC are basically blitzing through the i-129f petitions like greased lightning??? I mean in the last 4 days the TSC has moved from Jan. 21st to Feb. 1st and the VSC has smashed out from Jan. 21st to Feb. 27th!!! already, while in the same time frame the CSC has sat on the same date, not budging at all?...........

    This is the current trend (increasing time).  They are processing cases in mid January at this time.

     

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    The TSC seems to be improving and is about 2 weeks faster at the moment.

     

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    What looks bad is the NVC Processing times.  We are talking 2 months for them to receive and process cases.  Their website states the following:

     

    Quote

    Due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, NVC is currently working with reduced staff. During this time, we ask that you only contact us with urgent medical or humanitarian inquiries, or necessary case updates that are still pending.

    (Please note 3:30 PM-4:00 PM will see extended wait times in our call center).

    During this period of reduced staffing, we will not be able to answer general questions such as case status.  These answers can be better found using our self-service tools. Please log into https://ceac.state.gov for your most current case status and for a list of any documents you are required to submit.

    The latest updates for U.S. Embassies and Consulates, including operating status of the Consular Section, can be found at https://usembassy.gov. NVC cannot predict when Consular Sections will resume routine services, or when your case will be scheduled for an interview.

    NVC cannot provide any additional details on the 22-APR-20 Presidential Proclamation suspending entry of some immigrants. If you call or email on this topic, you will be directed to review the announcement and exceptions which are available at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/Proclamation-Suspending-Entry-of-Immigrants-Who-Present-Risk-to-the-US-labor-market.html

    Please visithttps://nvc.state.govfor answers to your frequently asked questions, and steps for visa processing.

     

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