Recent Immigration News

USCIS now allows you to check your Asylum Status Online

Dated: 01/29/2019

On January 28, 2019, USCIS announced that pending affirmative asylum applicants who have submitted applications to USCIS can now see their current case status online  here. This feature does not cover applicants who have pending asylum cases in immigration courts, known as defensive asylum applications.   Prior to this updated feature, asylum applicants would only be able to request updates on their case status directly through the asylum office in their local jurisdiction.   Now, a pending asylum applicant may enter their case number into the bar and click on Check Status which will allow the applicant to view the most recent updates on their case.

USCIS has announced today that applicants who have a pending asylum application with USCIS can now check their case status online  here. Only asylum applicants with an application pending with USCIS will be able to use this new feature to check their case status online. It will not cover defensive asylum applicants whose cases are pending in immigration court. Previously, asylum applicants could only check their case status through an asylum office in person or by phone, fax, or email. To check your status, simply enter your case number in the white bar, press enter, and it will show the latest updates of a case.

Asylum is a humanitarian benefit under immigration law that allows a person to stay in the country legally.   You can request Asylum if you have a legitimate fear of persecution if you returned to your country of national origin.   If you have a pending asylum case or would like more information on how to apply, feel free to contact our firm today at (866)691-9894  with any questions you may have.

The Government Shutdown is over, what happens to my immigration case?

Dated: 01/28/2019

On January 25, 2019, Congress and the President agreed to fund the Federal government for a 3-week period of time until February 15, 2019.   Thereafter, the Federal government could be shut down again if no compromise is reached on border security.

USCIS: If you have a pending case with USCIS or would like to apply, the good news is, it’s business as usual and you will be able to continue to apply and wait for your interviews to be scheduled and attend them.   This is because USCIS is funded by your application fees and remain largely unaffected by the previous and any future Federal government shutdown.

Immigration Courts: Courts at non-detained sites will now reopen this week for the next three weeks.   This means that if you have a scheduled court date coming up you should prepare your case, plan on attending your scheduled court appearance, and make sure all required filings have been submitted on time prior to your court date.   If your hearing was supposed to take place during the time the Government has been shut down.   You will get a notice of a new rescheduled date.   Unfortunately, due to the tremendous backlog currently in immigration court, some court dates may be rescheduled months and sometimes years later.

If you have any questions about how the Federal government funding and future potential shutdown may affect your immigration case, feel free to give us a call at (866)691-9894.

How Does the Government Shutdown affect my immigration case?

Dated: 01/11/2019

On Dec. 21, 2018, the U.S. federal government shut down affecting various federal agencies.   This article highlights which immigration agencies were affected and how that could impact your immigration case.

USCIS: Fortunately, because USCIS is, for the most part, funded by application filing fees, it’s business as usual.   This means USCIS will continue to process your immigration applications, schedule and conduct your fingerprint appointments, and interviews, and process any responses to Requests for Evidence received while your application is pending.

Immigration Courts: Courts at non-detained sites are closed until the Government reopens.   This means that if you have a scheduled court date coming up and the Government remains shut down, your hearing will likely be rescheduled.   The Portland Immigration Court has been notifying people in removal proceedings and their attorneys a day in advance of their court date if their hearing has been rescheduled.   The Courts are still accepting filings but will not process them through until the Government reopens.

Department of State: Visa processing of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas will resume at U.S. consulates abroad based on the limited funding available.

EB-5 Processing: The EB-5 Regional Center Program ended on Dec. 21, 2018.   Until the federal government reopens, and the Regional Center EB-5 program extension is signed into law, new I-526 petitions cannot be filed.   Investors will also be unable to file a new adjustment of status applications based on I-526 petitions until the program is officially extended.

If you have any questions about how the Federal government shutdown may affect your immigration case, feel free to give contact us or give us a call at (866)691-9894.