As we reported in August 2023, the temporary increase of 540 days to the automatic extension period for employment authorization and employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants expired
Continue Reading 180-Day Extensions for EAD RenewalsPatricia A. Elmas˘
Patricia A. Elmas’ career spans over 25 years in the legal field, with 23 years of experience in the business immigration and compliance field. Her experience focuses on nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for the business, technology, public relations, managed care, health care, research and entertainment communities, with a focus on obtaining nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for multi-national corporations, start-ups, extraordinary business professionals, and individuals. She leads a team of immigration professionals, supervises and mentors paralegals and provides case management for large volume caseloads for corporate clients. Patty acts as the main liaison for the practice’s case management system, providing input on enhancements and improvements to keep pace with the demands of the practice, and provides training for the same. She also writes articles for the group's blog, Inside Business Immigration: Legal Analysis for the Global Employer.
˘ Not admitted to the practice of law.
Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa Delays
The global demand for non-immigrant U.S. visas skyrocketed during the COVID-19 health emergency, when travel was halted and U.S. embassies and consulates closed. Even after reopening, U.S. embassies and consulates…
Continue Reading Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa DelaysUSCIS Incorporates Changes to EB-5 Program into Policy Manual
USCIS recently issued a Policy Alert notifying the public that they updated the USCIS Policy Manual to include changes from the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. The EB-5…
Continue Reading USCIS Incorporates Changes to EB-5 Program into Policy ManualBiden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
To advance the safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Oct. 25 President Biden issued a Proclamation emphasizing the continued enhanced measures against the spread of the…
Continue Reading Biden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
The Department of State (DOS) December 2019 Visa Bulletin Released
In the EB-1 category, the Dates of Filing is now current for all countries of chargeability except for China and India. For November, USCIS allowed I-485 filings based on Dates of Filing rather than Final Action dates; however, EB-1 was retrogressed for all categories, allowing only certain applicants to file. USCIS has not issued the December 2019 calendar or confirmed if it will follow Dates of Filing or Final Action. If USCIS continues to abide by the dates of filing calendar, many EB-1 candidates will be able to finally file their I-485/Adjustment of Status applications. For EB-1 Final Action dates, there was slight movement.
Continue Reading The Department of State (DOS) December 2019 Visa Bulletin Released
November 2018 Visa Bulletin Updates
The Department of State (DOS) November 2018 Visa Bulletin shows movement in employment-based categories. The EB-1 category remained retrogressed for November 2018. Although it is likely that there will be…
Continue Reading November 2018 Visa Bulletin Updates
GT Alert – Preparing for H-1B Cap Season in Fiscal Year 2018
This year’s H-1B cap is fast approaching. USCIS will start accepting new H-1B petitions for Fiscal Year 2018 on April 1, 2017. Although the federal government annually allocates 65,000 H-1B…
Continue Reading GT Alert – Preparing for H-1B Cap Season in Fiscal Year 2018
September 2016 – Monthly AILA Check-In with Charlie Oppenheim
After the release of the October Visa Bulletin, Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of Visa Control and Reporting Division for the U.S. Department of State (DOS), provided his predictions on the…
Continue Reading September 2016 – Monthly AILA Check-In with Charlie Oppenheim