Integrity Legal

In a recent press release from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) it was announced that a fee waiver form has been proposed in an effort to streamline the process whereby indigent aliens in the USA apply for relief from Immigration fees. To quote the announcement, as promulgated by USCIS and distributed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA):

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed for the first time a standardized fee waiver form in an effort to provide relief for financially disadvantaged individuals seeking immigration benefits…

Apparently, the current version of the fee waiver form is the product of time, research, and study as USCIS has attempted to provide relief to those who cannot pay the government processing fees while still maintaining the integrity of the overall system. To quote the aforementioned announcement further:

The proposed fee waiver form is the product of extensive collaboration with the public. In meetings with stakeholders, USCIS heard concerns that the absence of a standardized fee waiver form led to confusion about the criteria that had to be met as well as the adjudication standards. USCIS worked with stakeholders in developing the fee waiver form that is now posted for comment. “Our goal is to bring clarity and consistency to our processes,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “We are doing so now in the critical area of providing the financially disadvantaged with access to immigration benefits.”

Mayorkas further stated that the method by which the proposed fee waiver form was devised – through extensive collaboration with the public – will be a hallmark of his approach to improving agency processes. Currently, applicants requesting a fee waiver must do so by submitting an affidavit or unsworn declaration requesting a fee waiver and stating the reasons why he/she is unable to pay the filing fee. The new proposed fee waiver form is designed to verify that an applicant for an immigration benefit is unable to pay the fee for the benefit sought. The proposed form provides clear criteria and an efficient way to collect and process the information.

It is admirable to see USCIS taking an active interest in providing relief to those customers who are truly in need. That said, it remains to be seen how this proposal will be received particularly in light of the fact that USCIS has recently announced shortfalls in its budget. Some feel that providing this type of relief runs counter to the notion of USCIS as a self-funded agency. In any case, this author hopes to see this proposal passed if it increases the probability of providing much needed assistance to those wishing to travel to, or remain in, the United States of America for bona fide reasons.

Tags: American Visa, CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa, IR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K3 Visa, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Immigration, US Immigration Fee Waiver, US Visa, US Visa Fee Waiver, US Visa Petition, US Visa Waiver, USCIS, USCIS Costs, USCIS fees, USCIs processing fees
Posted in CR1 Visa, Department of Homeland Security, K1 Visa, K2 Visa, K3 Visa, L1 Visa, Upcoming Legislation, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, USCIS | No Comments »

To see this information in English please see: K1 visa

สำหรับคนที่พาคู่หมั้นต่างด้าวเข้ามาในอเมริกา คำถามที่มีให้พบอยู่บ่อยๆคือ “ทำอย่างไรหากว่าคู่หมั้นของฉันอยากจะทำงานในอเมริกาก่อนที่จะปรับเปลี่ยนสถานภาพเสร็จ” คำตอบสำหรับคำถามนี้ค่อนข้างจะสลับซับซ้อน เมื่อคู่หมั้นต่างด้าวเข่าสหรัฐอเมริกาด้วยวีซ่าชั่วคราว เควัน หรือ เค ทรี การเข้าเมืองไม่อนุญาติให้ทำงานในสหรัฐอเมริกา จนกว่าคนต่างด้างนั้นจะปรับเปลี่ยนสถานภาพเป็นผู้อยู่อาศัยถาวรได้แล้วเสร็จ (ได้กรีนการ์ด ) หรือได้ขออนุญาตทำงานในสหรัฐ ไม่นานมานี้ USCIS ประกาศว่าเพื่อพยายามลดการเข้าเมืองโดยฉ้อฉล เอกสารอนุญาติทำงานแบบใหม่จะมีการออกให้ ข้อความด้านล่างสรุปมาจากประกาศของ USCIS

USCIS ได้ประกาศในวันนี้ว่าได้ปรับเปลี่ยนดูเอกสารอนุญาตทำงาน หรือแบบ I 766 โดยได้เพิ่มแถบแม่เหล็กเข้าไปด้านหลังบัตรอนุญาตทำงาน ความคืบหน้าในครั้งนี้เป็นอีกหนึ่งความพยายามของ

USCIS ในการที่จะตรวจสอบการเข้าเมืองโดยฉ้อฉล เริ่มมีผลบังคับใช้วันที่ 11 พฤษภาคม USCIS จะเริ่มออกใบอนุญาตทำงานแบบใหม่นี้ แถบแม่เหล็กแบบนี้เป็นไปตามมาตรฐานองค์กรการบิน USCIS ได้เอาแถบบาร์โค๊ดสองแถบด้านหลังบัตรออกไป และย้ายส่วนข้อความไปอยู่ใต้แถบแม่เหล็กบนการ์ด การ์ดแบบใหม่นี้ยังคงลักษณะเพื่อความปลอดภัยที่มีอยู่ไว้ทั้งหมด

ในกรณีส่วนใหญ่ คู่หมั้นหรือคู่สมรสต่างด้าวของคนสัญชาติอเมริกันจะต้องรอกรีนการ์ดก่อนจึงจะสามารถทำงานได้ อย่างไรก็ตาม บางตัวอย่างที่ไม่เข้ากับกรณีนี้เนื่องจากมีคู่หมั้นหรือคู่สมรสชาวอเมริกันมากมายที่ทำงานให้กับบริษัทข้ามชาติ บริษัทข้ามชาติเหล่านี้บางครั้งก็อยากได้ลูกจ้างที่ไม่ใช่ชาวอเมริกันของพวกเขามาทำงานในสาขาที่สหรัฐให้เร็วที่สุดที่จะทำได้ ดังนั้น ก็มีหลายกรณีที่ใบอนุญาตทำงานแบบเร่งด่วนเป็นเรื่องจำเป็น

ในอดีต ผู้ถือวีซ่า เค ทรี จะต้องขอใบอนุญาตทำงานที่ด่านตรวจคนเข้าเมืองที่เข้าสหรัฐ และเนื่งจากวีซ่า เค ทรี เริ่มจะหายไป ดังนั้นวิธีขออนุญาตทำงานแบบนี้จึงพบเห็นได้ไม่บ่อยเท่าแต่ก่อน อีกปัญหาหนึ่งที่เกี่ยวกับการขอใบอนุญาตทำงานก็คือการขอออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนด ผู้ถือวีซ่าคู่หมั้นไม่สามารถออกจากสหรัฐอเมริกาได้ก่อนที่จะปรับเปลี่ยนสถาภาพและคงสถานะวีซ่า เค วัน ไว้นอกเสียจากจะขอและได้รับการอนุญาตให้ออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนดได้ ในบางกรณี คู่สมรสที่ยื่นขอออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนดก็จะยื่นขอใบอนุญาตทำงานเพื่อทำงานในสหรัฐไปด้วยในคราวเดียว

For further information in Thai please see:  K1 วีซ่า

Tags: American Visa Information in Thai, I-1766, I-766, I766, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Visa from Thailand in Thai Language, US Visa Information in Thai, US Visa Thailand, US Visa Thailand in Thai Language, US Visas Thai Language, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย
Posted in US Visa Thailand, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย | No Comments »

For those who bring a foreign fiance or fiancee to the United States of America, an often asked question is: “What if my fiancee wants to work in the USA prior to her adjustment of status?” The answer to this question is somewhat complicated. When a foreign fiancee or spouse enters the United States on a non-immigrant K1 visa or K3 Visa, the entrant is generally not authorized to take up employment in the USA until that alien either adjusts status to permanent residence (Green Card) or obtains employment authorization. Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that, in an effort to decrease immigration fraud, new Employment Authorization Documents are to be issued. The following is a direct quote from USCIS’s official statement:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has revised the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or Form I-766, to incorporate the addition of a machine-readable zone on the back of the card.. This update to the EAD is part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. Starting May 11, USCIS began issuing the revised EAD cards. The machine-readable zone is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. USCIS also removed the two-dimensional bar code on the backside of the card and moved the informational box of text to just beneath the magnetic stripe on the card. The revised card retains all of its existing security features.

In most cases, foreign fiancees or spouses of US Citizens opt to wait for permanent residence before taking up employment. However, in some instances this is not the case as there are increasing numbers of foreign fiancees and spouses who work for multi-national companies. These international businesses sometimes wish to have their non-US Citizen employee start work in the USA as soon as they can. Therefore, there are situations in which speedy employment authorization is a necessity.

In the past, K3 Visa holders could seek employment authorization at the port of entry when they entered the USA. As the K-3 Visa is being increasingly phased out, this method of receiving employment authorization is being employed less frequently. Another issue that often arises in the context of Employment Authorization is that of advance parole. Holders of a US fiance visa cannot leave the United States prior to adjustment of status and simultaneously maintain their lawful K1 status unless they apply for, and receive, an advance parole travel document.  In some cases, couples making an application for advance parole will also make an application for an EAD in order to work in the USA.

Tags: advance parole, AP, EAD, Employment Authorization Document, Fiance Visa Thailand, I-766, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Thailand, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Fiance Visa Thailand, USCIS
Posted in Adjustment of Status, Fiance Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | 3 Comments »

One of the co-authors of this blog has recently discovered that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has added a new web log (blog) to their official website. This blog is apparently designed to provide more up to date information as well as insights regarding United States Immigration and Department of Homeland Security policy. The new blog can be found at this link.  We at Integrity Legal wish to welcome USCIS to the blogosphere as we are anxious to read about current the news in United States Immigration policy.

In the initial posting on the new blog, USCIS took the opportunity to discuss the measures that have been taken to accord Haitian Nationals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This status allows those of Haitian Nationality who are present in the United States to file for protected status so as to avoid being placed into removal proceedings and sent back to Haiti. The reason that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has taken this measure is to avoid sending Haitians back to their home country as the Republic of Haiti has recently been the victim of incredibly damaging hurricanes and as a result the conditions in the country are tragic, if not, downright abysmal.

To quote directly from the USCIS blog:

The devastating earthquakes in Haiti have made it both dangerous and virtually impossible for most Haitian nationals living in the U.S. to return to their country in the near future. To help protect those who might otherwise be repatriated to a nation struggling to recover, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010.

In this situation, USCIS has shown a very high level of efficiency, decisiveness, and compassion as TPS status was quickly granted to Haitians. It would appear that the decision to grant this status is based almost entirely upon humanitarian grounds and it is hard for anyone to disagree with the idea that sending Haitians back to Haiti at this time would be morally wrong, to say the least. That being said, the ultimate fate of Haitian nationals in the United States remains to be seen, but for now those present in the US do not need to fear the specter of being forcibly returned to their devastated homeland.

Hopefully, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service will continue to provide relevant and important information through its website, press releases, and blog posts.

Tags: American Immigration blog, American visa blog, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Immigration blog, US Visa blog, USCIS, USCIS blog
Posted in CR1 Visa, F1 Visa Thailand, Fiance Visa Thailand, General Legal Information, IR1 Visa, J1 Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, Legal Opinion, Miscellaneous, US Tourist Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, Visa Waiver | No Comments »

For those seeking to submit a visa application the first thing to think about is which office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will take jurisdiction over adjudicating the petition. In instances involving an overseas filing of an Immigrant petition (sometimes known as Direct Consular Filing), this information is not useful, but for those living in the United States and filing non-immigrant spouse or fiance visa petitions, the following information may be helpful.

The K-1 visa application (the I-129f) should be filed with the office having jurisdiction over the petitioner’s home state.  There are currently two USCIS service centers adjudicating I-129f petitions (the K-3 visa application requires a supplemental I-129f petition after submission of an initial I-130 petition).

USICS Service Center: California

The California Service Center currently adjudicates petitions from the following US states and territories:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming. (As with all information concerning USCIS jurisdictional matters, the above list is subject to change.)

USICS Service Center: Vermont

The Vermont Service Center currently adjudicates petitions from the following US states and territories:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. (As with all information concerning USCIS jurisdictional matters, the above list is subject to change.)

(Some people confuse the Vermont Service Center with the National Visa Center in New Hampshire. The National Visa Center is not an organ of USCIS, but is a visa application processing center under the administrative jurisdiction of the United States Department of State.)

For those American Citizens who are resident in the Kingdom of Thailand, it may be possible to file an Immigrant Visa application with the USCIS office in Bangkok, Thailand. However, unlike a USCIS Service Center, the Bangkok District Office does not generally adjudicate K-1 visa applications. Further, the USCIS Service Centers in California and Vermont are not the correct locations to submit Immigrant Visa (I-130) applications for spouses of United States Citizens who are resident in the United States. Therefore, one should do careful research before submitting any visa application in order to be sure that an application will not be rejected based upon lack of proper jurisdiction.

(Do not use this information as a substitute for competent legal advice. No attorney-client relationship should be inferred to have formed between author and reader.)

Tags: American Visa Thailand, California Service Center, I-130, K-1 Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, Vermont Service Center
Posted in Fiance Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | 24 Comments »