The DOL Atlanta National Processing Center (ANPC) will begin issuing PERM notification letters via e-mail beginning December 1, 2016. Electronic notification e-mails will ensure PERM stakeholders receive ETA Form 9089 application determination notifications in a timely, cost effective manner without 'in the mail' delivery delays. To ensure this electronic notification delivery convenience works for all PERM stakeholders, please addsr.processsing@dol.gov and plc.atlanta@dol.gov to your Address Book or Safe List within your e-mail system(s) to avoid being filtered as SPAM. In addition, if e-mail addresses for the authorized representative or employer have changed, please notify either sr.processing@dol.gov (Supervised Recruitment cases) or plc.atlanta@dol.gov (all other correspondence). Please provide the case...

SUBJECT: Definition of Certain Classes of Medical Conditions and Other Updates Relating to Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility Purpose U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding health-related grounds of inadmissibility in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rulemaking updating Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 34 (42 CFR 34). USCIS is updating its guidance in Volume 8, Part B of the Policy Manual to reflect the changes to the HHS final regulation published on January 26, 2016 which became effective on March 28, 2016. Accordingly,...

The USCIS fees for most applications and petitions will increase for the first time in 6 years by a weighted average of 21 percent. These include the costs associated with fraud detection and national security, customer service and case processing, and providing services without charge to refugee and asylum applicants and to other customers eligible for fee waivers or exemptions. The final rule contains a table summarizing current and new fees which will also be listed on the USCIS Fees webpage. Form G-1055 will not reflect the new fees until the effective date. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or...

On September 30, 2016, USCIS published new Form I-131A which allows lawful permanent residents to apply for a travel document (carrier documentation) if they are returning from temporary overseas travel of less than one year and their Permanent Resident Card was lost, stolen or destroyed; or returning from temporary overseas travel of less than two years and their Reentry Permit was lost, stolen or destroyed. USCIS made this announcement on September 30, 2016 and it is available online.

The VERMONT SERVICE CENTER has to date transferred to the NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER over 3,000 principals with their derivatives for a total of 11,000 U visa cases. Another transfer is likely in the first quarter of FY 2017 and transfer notices will be sent out for any cases sent to NSC.

Go to www.uscis.gov website. Click on the “Contact Us” button on the right hand corner. Click on “Get Email Updates” in the “More Information” section and fill out the request to sign up for updates. The website also has the latest news and updates. For example, a recent update that was sent out was a reminder on how to make DACA renewal inquiries. Individuals are encouraged to create online accounts to get in-depth information and updates on their cases rather than through online inquiries or the National Customer Service. Online inquiry has limited categories. For example, you cannot request an expedite online,...

On Wednesday, October 26, 2016  the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in the Federal Register that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months, effective December 25, 2016, through June 24, 2018.

On October 26, 2016, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended for a period of 18 months, effective December 25, 2016, through June 24, 2018. This extension allows eligible Nepalese nationals (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) to retain TPS through June 24, 2018, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. DHS has determined that an extension is warranted because conditions in Nepal supporting its designation for TPS continue to be met.

USCIS has determined that most applicants in the family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories can use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart in the DOS Visa Bulletin for November 2016. However, employment-based, fifth preference applicants must use the Application Final Action Dates chart in the November 2016 Visa Bulletin. The specific guidance from USCIS.gov is as follows: For Family-Sponsored Filings: You must use the Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for November 2016. For Employment-Based 1st through 4th Preference Filings: You must use the Dates for Filing of Employment Based Visa Applications chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for November...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Friday, OCTOBER 21, 2016, released policy guidance on extreme hardship determinations regarding certain relatives. This final guidance is one of the lesser known initiatives announced under President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. This guidance becomes effective December 5, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing the latest policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on determinations of extreme hardship to qualifying relatives as required by certain statutory waiver provisions. The guidance clarifies the adjudication of certain waiver requests that require USCIS to determine claims of extreme hardship to qualifying relatives. Several statutory...