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MVP Law Group
News You Can Use
January 2017
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10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 406
Columbia, Maryland 21044
240-390-0600
1-800-447-0796
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Greetings,
"
Throughout our history, immigration to this land has contributed greatly to the strength and character of our Republic. Over the years we have provided for such immigration because it has been to our own national interest that we do so." --
Dwight D. Eisenhower
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
MVP Law Group, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, along with Immigration Practitioners across the World are calling on the POTUS to change course on immigration policy and instead work with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to move forward on immigration reform. Our outdated immigration system has hobbled our economy but these executive orders will not give us the smart balanced immigration system we need. These policies will mean families torn apart and local law enforcement hampered. These policies will do little to improve national security and will create enormous delays for people coming to the U.S. These policies will put discrimination based on faith or national origin on the books. We cannot stand idly by and let this happen. This path is not good for our country or the immigrants who call America home.
We will not stand for abridgement of due process or human rights by this or any administration.
Within the first five days of Trump's Administration, the Executive Orders provided below were released:
Among other changes, this EO will:
- Prioritize building a large physical barrier on the Southern border of the United States, which is a waste of taxpayer resources;
- Spend additional taxpayer dollars on detaining asylum seeking families which is inhumane;
- Penalize local law enforcement that prioritize community trust over unconstitutional detainer policies.
Among other changes, this EO will:
- Prioritize for removal, noncitizens who:
- Have been convicted of ANY criminal offense;
- Have been charged with ANY criminal offense, where such charges has not been resolved;
- Have committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense;
- Have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter or application before a government agency;
- Have abused any program related to receipt of public benefits;
- Are subject to a final order of removal, but have not departed; OR
- Otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security.
By the seventh day, the Trump administration released the latest Executive Order aimed at banning Muslims and Refugees from coming to the United States:
Among other changes, this EO will:
- Suspend the refugee program for 120 days and suspends the Syrian refugree program indefinitely;
- Caps refugee resettlement numbers at 50,000 for FY2017, a cut of more than 50%;
- Suspends immigrant and nonimmigrant entry for people from predominantly Muslim countries (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) for a minimum of 90 days while the government undertakes a review of its existing policies and practices;
- Requires an in-person interview for all nonimmigrant visa applicants;
- Establishes requirements for "extreme vetting."
- Shortly after the release of the EO, U.S. embassies and consular posts were instructed to immediately suspend issuance of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen and contractors were instructed to cancel visa interviews for affected individuals.
- Additionally, we have reason to believe from credible sources within the organization that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has been instructed to stop processing cases for immigration benefits for nationals of the countries listed above (this would include the following as well as many other immigration benefits: temporary work visas, employment based and family based green card processing, advance parole requests, employment authorization request, green card renewal requests, etc.) Adjustment of Status (I-485) and Naturalization (N400) Interviews will continue as scheduled; however, Officers are instructing beneficiaries that no final decisions will be made until further background investigations have taken place and the travel ban is lifted.
*We encourage you to stay tuned to our blog for the latest information related to the Executive Orders issued on Immigration.
Don't forget
,
MVP Law Group
is now accepting cap-subject
H1B cases
for FY2018. Although cap-subject cases cannot be filed before April 1st, there is a great deal of work that goes into preparing the strongest case possible for filing. All of this work must be done in advance, so that the H1B petition package can be filed as early as permitted under the law. By beginning early, it is possible to avoid some of the rush and panic that inevitably sets in right before April 1st and lasts until the cap is reached. If you have questions, we have answers. Contact us today to discuss!
In other immigration news, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for February 2017 is now available. The cutoff date movement is consistent with earlier predictions. The cutoff date for the EB2 category for India remained at 4/15/08 and EB3 moved from 3/15/05 to 3/22/05. The cutoff date for the EB2 category for Chinese Nationals moved from 10/15/12 to 11/15/12 and the cutoff date for the EB3 category for Chinese Nationals moved from 9/8/13 to 10/1/13.
We need to continue to urge the elected members of Congress to work on real solutions to fix our immigration system by passing true Immigration Reform, which encompasses everyone:
workers, employers, students, families, and the undocumented.
We hope you continue to read our newsletter as well as our blog in order to stay in touch and obtain important information concerning changes to the regulatory environment and new trends in the adjudication of petitions.
Kellie N. Lego, Esq.
MVP Law Group, P.A.
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Attorney Kellie Lego has been selected to the SuperLawyers, Maryland Rising Stars List for 2017
Attorney Kellie Lego has been selected to the 2017 Super Lawyers - Maryland Rising Stars list in the field of Immigration Law. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. A candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. This is Kellie's fifth consecutive Maryland Rising Star honor (2013-2017). Read more |
DACA Statistics - DACA Quarterly Report FY2016-Q4
T
he USCIS statistics on DACA Initial cases for the fourth quarter of FY2016, from 7/1/16 to 9/30/16 show a total of 15,856 DACA requests accepted for processing, (N/A) biometric services appointments scheduled, 12,616 requests approved, and 2,755 requests have been denied.
The USCIS statistics on DACA Renewal cases for the fourth quarter of FY2016, from 7/1/16 to 9/30/16 show a total of 61,025 DACA requests accepted for processing, (N/A) biometric services appointments scheduled, 62,302 requests approved, and 743 requests have been denied.
Read more
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About Our Law Firm
MVP Law Group, P.A. offers Business Immigration Services to Employers and Individuals World Wide. We deal primarily with Business Immigration by assisting clients in obtaining Temporary Work Visas; Preparing and Filing Employment Based and Family Based Immigrant Petitions; Aiding Lawful Permanent Residents in Attaining Naturalization; and ensuring compliance with Immigration laws by conducting internal audits for businesses in all industries.
U.S. Immigration Law is federal in nature (i.e., No State or provincial law is involved), therefore, our firm is able to provide U.S. Immigration Law Services to clients ANYWHERE in the United States and around the World.
MVP Law Group, P.A. 10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 406
Columbia, Maryland 21044
240-390-0600 1-800-447-0796 Keep In Touch With Us!   
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| PERM Processing Priority Dates (As of 1/31/17)
| PROCESSING AREA |
MONTH |
CALENDAR YEAR |
| Analyst Reviews |
Oct. |
2016 |
| Audits |
May |
2016 |
| Requests for
Reconsideration |
Dec. |
2016 |
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FEB. 2017 VISA BULLETIN
The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.
The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: "Application Final Action Dates" (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).
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MVP LAW GROUP - Immigration Q&A Forum
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MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
Question #1 - Adjustment of Status (AOS)
If I just applied for my Green Card, can I travel back home to visit my family while the I-485 is pending?
Answer #1
Did you apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) along with your I-485 application? If so, has the advance parole application been approved? If not, do you have a valid nonimmigrant work visa? If not, then you will need to submit an application for Advance Parole (Form I-131) with the USCIS and wait for it to be approved. If you have exigent circumstances which require expedite services, then you should set up an INFOPASS appointment with the local USCIS field office and bring sufficient documentation of the need for expedited processing.
Question #2 - Premium Processing
Can Premium Processing apply to visas other than the employment based?
Answer #2
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