Immigration Insights 2024-10-24

Immigration Newsletter For Scholars and Professionals

October 28, 2024

Self Petition News - 2024-10-24

Weekly immigration news summary curated by greencardselfpetition.com, helping the community with Do-It-Yourself self petition packets and EB1A & NIW Knowledge Bot.

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Florida's Live Healthy Initiative: Licensing Foreign-Trained Doctors to Address Physician Shortage

Florida's Live Healthy initiative is a new law that allows foreign-trained doctors to become licensed physicians in the state without having to complete a US residency, if they have completed a "substantially similar" residency program abroad. This initiative aims to increase the number of physicians in Florida, which has one of the highest median ages in the country. Other states including Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington have also enacted similar laws, and many are considering it, in response to the nationwide shortage of physicians. These provisions are seen as a way to demonstrate how immigration can strengthen America, provided the doctors maintain a high standard of care.

Date: 2024/10/17

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Self Petition FAQ: How do I show that I have been recognized by organizations within my field?

To show that you have been recognized by organizations within your field, you would need to provide evidence of your achievements that have been acknowledged by these organizations. This could be in the form of awards, honors, or recognitions that you have received from reputable organizations in your field. For someone with an advanced degree, this recognition could have come during your academic career or post-graduation professional work, and it can significantly strengthen your EB1A application. Other evidence could include membership in associations that require outstanding achievements, letters of recommendation, or published material about you in professional publications. Remember, the key is to demonstrate that you have sustained national or international acclaim and that your achievements have been recognized by your peers in the field.

Date: 2024/10/24

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DHS Announces Temporary Immigration Relief Measures for Eligible Lebanese Nationals in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced measures to provide temporary immigration relief for eligible Lebanese nationals in the U.S. These include Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Lebanon. The TPS designation, due to ongoing conflict and extraordinary conditions in Lebanon, will last for 18 months, allowing approved individuals to remain in the U.S. while diplomatic efforts for stability continue. Lebanese nationals must have been in the U.S. since October 16, 2024, to qualify. In addition, Lebanese nationals covered by President Biden’s DED order can now apply for Employment Authorization Documents. DHS also announced Special Student Relief for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Lebanon. Approximately 11,000 Lebanese nationals and 1,740 Lebanese F-1 students are expected to benefit.

Date: 2024/10/18

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DOJ Announces Settlements in Employment Discrimination Cases Based on Citizenship Status and National Origin

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced several settlements addressing employment discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin. The cases were handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) and provide lessons for employers about hiring practices and document verification processes. The cases included a Chicago-based company rejecting an Employment Authorization Document from a worker with Temporary Protected Status, a Wisconsin-based company withdrawing a job offer based on non-U.S. citizen status, an online staffing agency posting job advertisements with unlawful hiring restrictions, and a California-based staffing agency requiring non-U.S. citizens to present specific documentation for work authorization. The settlements involved financial penalties and changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Date: 2024/10/16

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USCIS Introduces Online PDF Filing Option for Employment Authorization Document Applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched an online PDF filing option for certain applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This allows them to submit Forms I-765 and I-912 directly through the USCIS portal. This digital transformation aims to decrease backlogs, speed up processing times, and reduce errors and inefficiencies associated with physical mailing. The new system is more accessible, especially for low-income immigrants who may not be able to submit paper applications by mail. The online PDF filing system is currently only available for Forms I-765 and I-912, used by immigrants seeking employment authorization and fee waivers.

Date: 2024/10/15

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Nigerian Engineer Bathlomew Ebika Earns US National Interest Waiver for Exceptional Contributions to Engineering and Research

Nigerian engineer, Bathlomew Ebika, has made significant contributions to engineering and research in the US, earning him the United States National Interest Waiver for exceptional ability. His achievements include the development of a machine learning model that can accurately predict bead height in 3D printing, which is currently in the patent application stage. He is also a Co-Investigator for NASA’s U.S. Research Collaboration, working on a research project aimed at advancing space exploration technology. Additionally, Ebika contributes to the National Science Foundation’s $25 million NSF-HAMMER program, designing an open-source additive manufacturing machine. He currently holds a full-time research position as an Engineer 1 in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. His work has established him as a leading innovator in his field.

Date: 2024/10/13

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Self Petition FAQ: What happens if my job changes or I switch employers during the NIW process?

During the NIW (National Interest Waiver) process, changing jobs or employers is generally permissible because the EB2-NIW category is not employer-specific, but is based on the applicant's qualifications and the proposed endeavor's substantial merit and national importance. Your new job should be in the same or similar occupational classification as the job for which the NIW was filed. If the job change significantly deviates from the original proposal, it could potentially impact the NIW petition. Therefore, it's advisable to consult with an immigration attorney before making major changes. For individuals with advanced degrees, the EB2-NIW category is beneficial as it recognizes the value of their specialized education and skills, and allows flexibility in employment without being tied to a specific employer.

Date: 2024/10/24

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Securing U.S. Residency through EB1A Visa Program: How Spynn Publicity Assists Athletes with Extraordinary Talent

Winning an Olympic medal can qualify an athlete for the EB1A visa program, which offers a direct route to permanent U.S. residency for individuals with extraordinary talent. Spynn Publicity assists high-achieving individuals, including Olympians, in navigating the visa process. The company helps athletes create strong cases for their visa applications by crafting compelling stories and arranging media coverage that meets visa criteria. Spynn Publicity collaborates with immigration lawyers to ensure every media appearance and article strengthens the application. The firm's strategies have proven effective even for athletes without Olympic medals, demonstrating the power of a good publicity strategy in immigration cases.

Date: 2024/10/13

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November 2024 Visa Bulletin: Changes in Family-Based Categories, Unchanged Employment-Based Categories

The U.S. Department of State's Visa Bulletin for November 2024 showed changes in all family-based categories, except in the F-2A category. The most significant changes were in the F-2B category for Mexico, which saw an 11-month change, and in the F-4 category for India, which saw an 11-month, 1-week change. There were no changes in wait times for the employment-based categories. The priority date, which is the date the green card application petition was initially filed, is crucial. The wait time depends on the category and country backlog, and some countries may have longer wait times due to high demand. The Visa Bulletin helps track patterns in these categories over multiple months.

Date: 2024/10/13

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Confusion Over USCIS Policy Update on F-1 Visa Holders Studying Abroad

A recent update to the USCIS policy manual has caused confusion in the international student community. The update suggests that F-1 visa holders studying abroad for more than five months will need a new Form I-20 to be readmitted in student status. However, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has stated that this is not a new policy, and that students will generally need to reapply for a new visa if they are outside the US for more than five months and not enrolled in an authorised study abroad program. The conflicting statements have led to calls for clarification from students, immigration lawyers, and study abroad advisors.

Date: 2024/10/16

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DIY Packets for Self-Petitioners

Disclaimer: The summarized content here is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to specific situations or circumstances. All news sources are acknowledged. If you need additional details follow the source link. This website/email assumes no liability for any errors.