Chris Prescott

On April 12, 2021 USCIS announced that F-1 students can file OPT and STEM OPT applications online using form I-765. This applies to the following applications: Pre-completion OPT; Post completion OPT; and 24- month extension of OPT known as STEM OPT. USCIS has also warned that anyone else that attempts to file I-765 online that...

2 years ago I wrote an article on the problems of taking Day 1 CPT and thought it was time to revisit this issue. Click here to see my previous article. At the time of writing my previous article, USCIS was taking a very firm stand on Day 1 CPT cases.  In fact, students applying...

The length of time for adjudication of petitions through USCIS continues to increase despite a new administration and new leadership of USCIS in the form of Alejandro Mayorkas. On March 22, 2021 the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) filed a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically in relation to the long...

USCIS recently released its updated FAQs on the electronic registration for FY2022.  Those questions can be accessed via the link below: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process One of those questions concerns multiple filings by related entities for the same beneficiary. USCIS reminds applicants that an employer may not file more than one H-1B petition for the same beneficiary in...

On Tuesday, March 9, the new head of DHS, Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that the government would no longer apply Trump’s Public Charge rule as it was not in the public interest or an efficient use of government resources. This rule was used by the prior administration to limit legal immigration by targeting low-income and...

On his first day in office, President Biden sent a new Immigration Bill to Congress in an effort to modernize a very much outdated Immigration system.  This bill is known as the “U.S. Citizenship Act” aims to introduce a number of key changes and was formally introduced in the House on February 18, 2021. An...

The Affidavit of support is filed to establish willingness and ability to financially support your immigrant spouse or family member.  By filling this form, you are declaring to USCIS that the intending immigrant (and joining family member) will not become a public charge.  As the Petitioner of the immigrant, you are required to submit this...

PERM is an acronym for the “Program Electronic Review Management” system established under the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations. It is a critical component of the employment-based immigration process, as it initiates the journey toward lawful permanent residency for foreign nationals through employment. This process, which includes both PERMs and audits, is essential for ensuring...