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F1 Students ESL STEM OPT: after December 12, 2016, ACICS is no longer an accrediting agency

4/26/2017

International students enrolled at an ACICS-accredited school should contact their designated school officials (DSOs) immediately to better understand if and how the loss of recognized accreditation will impact the F or M student status, STEM OPT application, application for reinstatement of F1 status, application for change of status and/or other immigration benefits application(s).

On December 12, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency.

This determination immediately affects two immigration-related programs:

English language study programs, as the programs are required to be accredited under the Accreditation of English Language Training Programs Act.
F-1 students applying for a 24-month science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT) extension, as the regulations require them to use a degree from an accredited, Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school as the basis of their STEM OPT extension. The school must be accredited at the time of the application; this is the date of the Designated School Official’s (DSO) recommendation on the Form I-20.

SEVP will provide guidance to affected students in notification letters, should their schools’ certification be withdrawn. However, students enrolled at an ACICS-accredited school should contact their designated school officials (DSOs) immediately to better understand if and how the loss of recognized accreditation will impact the F/M student’s status and/or immigration benefits application(s).
If an ACICS-accredited school voluntarily withdraws from SEVP certification or cannot provide evidence in lieu of accreditation for programs listed on their Form I-17, international students at these schools will have 18 months to:

Transfer to a new SEVP-certified program;
Continue their program of study until the current session end date listed on their Form I-20 (not to exceed 18 months); or
Depart the United States.

After this 18-month grace period, SEVP will terminate the SEVIS records of any active F/M student at an ACICS-accredited school who has not transferred to an SEVP-certified school or departed the United States. Please note, this guidance applies equally to all F/M students—regardless of program of study and the 18-month period is valid for English as a Second Language (ESL) students as well.
ACICS-accredited schools will be unable to issue program extensions, and students will only be allowed to finish their current session if the ACICS-accredited school selects to voluntarily withdraw its certification or is withdrawn by SEVP. If a student’s ACICS-accredited school is able to provide evidence of an ED-recognized accrediting agency or evidence in lieu of accreditation within the allotted timeframe, the student may remain at the school to complete their program of study.

English Language Study Programs

USCIS will issue requests for evidence (RFEs) to any individual who has filed Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, on or after December 12, 2016, requesting a change of status or reinstatement in order to attend an ACICS-accredited English language study program. Upon receiving an RFE, individuals will have an opportunity to provide evidence in response, such as documentation showing that the English language study program they are seeking to enroll in meets the accreditation requirements.

If the student does not submit a new Form I-20 from an accredited school, USCIS will deny a change of status or reinstatement request because the program of study is no longer accredited by an entity recognized by ED.
For more information about the loss of ACICS accreditation on English language study programs, see U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s page on ACICS Loss of Accreditation Recognition.

The 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Program

F-1 students wishing to participate in the STEM OPT extension must have a degree from an ED-recognized accredited U.S. educational institution at the time they file their STEM OPT application. As noted above, USCIS considers the filing of the application to be the date of the DSO’s recommendation on the Form I-20.
USCIS will issue a denial to any F-1 student filing a Form I-765 STEM OPT extension if:

The STEM degree that is the basis for the STEM OPT extension was obtained from a college or university that was accredited by ACICS; and
The student’s DSO recommendation for a STEM OPT extension, and as indicated on Form I-20, is dated on or after December 12, 2016 (i.e., the date on which ACICS ceased to be recognized as an accrediting agency).

Because there is a requirement that students use a STEM degree from an accredited, SEVP-certified school at the time of application, the ACICS loss of accreditation prevents these students from qualifying for a STEM OPT extension. Students who receive a denial will have 60 days to prepare for departure from the United States, transfer to a different school, or to begin a new course of study at an accredited, SEVP-certified school.

Students whose Forms I-20 have a DSO recommendation date prior to December 12, 2016, are not affected. For more information about the impact of loss of ACICS recognition on the STEM OPT extension program, see U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s page on ACICS Loss of Accreditation Recognition.

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Fraud or scam alert from DHS OIG

4/26/2017

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If you received a phone call from someone saying they are from "US immigration" from a 800 number that appears to be the USCIS Hotline -- beware -- these are scammers!

The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert on April 19, 2017, to warn the public about a scam using the DHS OIG hotline OFFICIAL telephone number.

Scammers have identified themselves as “U.S. Immigration” employees and have altered their caller ID to seem like the call is coming from the DHS OIG hotline (1-800-323-8603). They then demand that the individual provide or verify personally identifiable information, often by telling individuals that they are victims of identity theft. Some of the scammers had strong foreign accents.

Read the DHS OIG fraud alert Press Release for more details here.

In Russian:

Если вам позвонили с 800 номера, который выглядит как официальный номер Hotline иммиграционной службы США, DHS OIG, и требуют, чтобы вы предоставили вашу личную информацию (номер соц страхования, А номер, дату и место рождения, ИФО и т.п.) - не верьте, это спамеры.

19 апреля 2017 офис OIG DHS опубликовал предупреждение не доверять таким звонкам, и не предоставлять свои данные по телефону. Их сотрудники не звонят по телефону гражданам с вопросами. Это скамеры, скорее всего из-за границы. Многие заметили, что у скамеров сильный иностранный акцент.

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New Green Card and Work Permit EAD Design Effective May 1, 2017

4/19/2017

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USCIS announced a redesign to the Permanent Resident Card (aka a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS will begin issuing the new cards on May 1, 2017.

NEW the Redesigned Cards will:

Display the individual’s photos on both sides;
Show a unique graphic image and color palette:
Green Cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominately green palette;
EAD cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominately red palette;
Have embedded holographic images; and
No longer display the individual’s signature.

Also, Green Cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

Some Green Cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017, may still display the existing design format because USCIS will continue using existing card stock until current supplies are depleted. Both the existing and the new Green Cards and EADs will remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card.

In Russian:

Начиная с 1 мая 2017, иммиграционная служба США начнет выдавать грин карты и разрешения на работу нового образца. Изменения сделаны с целью сделать федеральные документы более защищенными от подделок.

Новые грин карты и разрешения на работу будут другого цвета, подпись с карточки уберут, оптическую полоску уберут с грин карты, фото будет на обоих сторонах грин карты и т.п.

Если после 1 мая вы получите грин карту или разрешение на работу старого образца, не волнуйтесь, они тоже действительны до конца срока действия документа. Таким образом USCIS избавляются от запасов карточек старого образца перед тем как начать использовать карточки нового образца.

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NY State to Provide Free Lawyers to Detained Immigrants Facing Deportation in Immigration Court

4/13/2017

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State of New York becomes first in the nation to provide FREE lawyers for ALL DETAINED immigrants who are facing deportation.

New York has become the first state in the United States to ensure that no immigrant is deported and permanently separated from his family solely because of the inability to afford a lawyer.

Without lawyer's assistance, only 3% of detained and unrepresented immigrants avoid deportation (and 97% are deported), but providing public defenders can improve an immigrant’s chance of winning and remaining in the United States, if an immigrant is eligible for residency or other forms of relief.

The newly created Liberty Defense Project's annual budge is $11.5 million, which is partially funded by the state of NY (US$10 million) and by private funds (Carnegie Corporation and Ford Foundation).

A statewide coalition of 182 advocacy organizations, 14 law schools, 21 law firms and 14 bar associations will be coordinated by the State’s Office for New Americans to provide pro bono legal services to immigrants. More than 200 experienced attorneys and paralegals will volunteer their time and work together so that immigrants are better aware of their legal options and are provided greater access to representation.

The Vera Institute Universal Representation of Immigrants Facing Deportation project.

Read more here.

In Russian:

Штат Нью Йорк первый в США вводит новую программу, Liberty Defense Project, по которой ВСЕ иммигранты, задержанные иммиграционной полицией и находящиеся в заключении до суда, с делом переданным на депортацию в иммиграционный суд, будут иметь право на БЕСПЛАТНОГО иммиграционного адвоката.

По статистике только 3% из иммигрантов, не имеющих адвоката в делах о депортации в иммиграционном суде, могут успешно убедить судью и остаться в США (а остальные 97% депортируют). Согласно данным проекта Сиракузского университета TRAC, 98.5% женщин с детьми без адвоката в США были депортированы.

Штат Нью Йорк первый в США предложил такую программу для того, чтобы предоставить шанс и реальную возможность защиты своих интересов по принципу due process тем иммигрантам, у кого нет денег нанять своего адвоката. Это поможет предотвратить депортации тем, кто может остаться в США по воссоединению с семьей, по полит убежищу и т.п.

Этот новый проект назвали Проектом защиты свободы (Liberty Defense Project). Средства на финансирование организации идут частично из бюджета штата (10 миллионов долларов), и из корпорации Карнеги (Carnegie Corporation) и фонда Форда (Ford Foundation). Частные корпорации выделили дополнительно $1.5 миллиона, так что в настоящий момент общая сумма проекта составила $11.5 миллионов.

Проект Защиты Свободы будет работать с 182 адвокатскими группами, а также с 14 юрфаками, 21 юридическими фирмами и 21 ассоциаций адвокатов для предоставления адвокатов иммигрантам.

Кроме The Vera Institute, финансирование в рамках проекта помощи иммигрантам получат Латиноамериканская федерация (Hispanic Federation), Католическая благотворительная общественная служба в Нью-Йорке (Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of NY), Нью-Йоркская иммиграционная коалиция (New York Immigration Coalition), Коалиция Северного Манхэттена за права иммигрантов (Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrants Rights) и организация Empire Justice Center.

Следует помнить, что это пока возможно только в штате Нью-Йорк, и только для тех иммигрантов, кто задержан или арестован ICE.

#immigration #immigrationlawyer #freeimmigrationlawyer #attorney #immigrationattorney #freeimmigrationattorney #deportation #removal #NY #LibertyDefenseProject

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H-1B Work Visa New USCIS Policies April 3 2017: Computer Programming, Fraud Detection

4/10/2017

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There have been several important announcements and policy changes concerning H-1B work visa.

First: On April 3, 2017, USCIS announced that it would introduce several new measures with intent of detecting and deterring H-1B visa fraud and abuses. According to an official USCIS press release, USCIS will be conducting site visits to H-1B petitioners and worksites, where

(i) USCIS cannot validate the employer’s basic information through commercially available data;
(ii) H-1B dependent employers (companies with high ratio of H-1B workers as compared to U.S. workers: companies with 25 or fewer full-time employees, more than 7 H-1B workers; companies with 26-50 full-time employees, more than 12 H-1B employees; and companies with 50 or more full-time employees, 15% or more H-1B employees); and,
(iii) employers petitioning H-1B workers who work off-site.

The site visits have been around since 2009. It's not something new. USCIS emphasized that these site visits will be random and unannounced, and are meant to identify companies that abuse the H-1B system.

USCIS established an email address, which allows the public to submit tips, alleged violations and other information about potential H-1B abuse. The employers that are reported via this email address will also become targets for site investigations.

Second:

On March 31, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued a new Policy Memorandum made available April 3, 2017, which rescinds the December 22, 2000 memorandum titled “Guidance memo on H1B computer related positions.”

The new policy implements a significant change to the adjudication of H-1B petitions for computer programming positions.

2017 H1B Policy Changes and Updates: The December 22, 2000 memorandum titled “Guidance memo on H-1B computer related positions” provided the policy that most computer programmers had a bachelor’s degree or higher based on information provided by the Occupational Outlook Handbook (“OOH”), which is published by the Department of Labor. Petitioners were usually able to meet their burden of proving a particular position is a specialty occupation, if it were to prove through information provided in the OOH that a baccalaureate or higher degree is normally the minimum requirement for entry into the particular position. By rescinding the policy, USCIS has stated that the OOH is no longer sufficient evidence to prove a particular position in computer programming is a specialty occupation and has thus drastically changed how H-1B petitions for computer programmers are to be adjudicated.

Petitioner's Burden of Proof: The consequence of rescinding the “Guidance memo on H1B computer related positions” is that USCIS has heightened the burden for petitioners. Petitioners may not rely solely on the OOH to prove that a position in computer science is normally required. Rather, USCIS has clarified its position that petitioners must provide additional evidence to establish that the particular position is a specialty occupation as defined by 8 CFR 214.2(h) (4) (ii) for computer programming.

Entry-Level Positions in Computer Related Positions: The Policy Memorandum clarifies that USCIS must determine whether the attestations and content of the LCA correspond to and support the H-1B visa petition. A petitioner’s designation that a position is a Level I, entry-level position “would likely contradict a claim that the proffered position is particularly complex, specialized, or unique compared to other positions within the same occupation.” USCIS is changing a long established tradition, by clarifying that most entry-level positions are not specialized occupations within the computer programmer occupation. This provides a basis to deny many of the now pending petitions, filed in April 2017 for the FY 2018.

Put American Workers First Approach in Tech Companies: It appears restricting H-1B visas is part of the current administration’s attempt to “put American workers first.” As technology continues to grow, the job of a computer programmer was in the top 5 H-1B job titles for the FY 2017 H-1B petitions.

Last Minute Policy Change Published on the First Day of the FY 2018 Filing Period for H-1B: The Policy Memorandum is dated March 31, 2017, but only made available April, 3, 2017, as a result, many of the new H-1B petitions have already been filed following the long-established standards of the now “outdated” USCIS 2000 guidance memo. Employers can now expect to receive RFE (Requests for Evidence) questioning eligibility and requesting additional documentation, and many petitions can be denied.

USCIS allows only 5 days a year in April to file new, cap-subject H-1B petitions for the next fiscal year. In 2016 for FY 2017, 236,000 H-1B visa applicants competed for the 85,000 quota available annually.

@ BCCL 2017. H-1B visa path

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9th Circuit Court of Appeals Held: TPS Recipients Are Eligible to Adjust to LPR Status

4/5/2017

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Affirming the district court's summary judgment, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held that under INA §244(f)(4), a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipient is deemed to be in lawful status as a nonimmigrant—and has thereby satisfied the requirements for becoming a nonimmigrant, including inspection and admission--for purposes of adjustment of status under INA §245(a).

The 9th Circuit court of appeals decision means that a person in TPS status (even the person who came to the U.S. without a visa, EWI) is eligible to obtain lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status application.

The court's decision published on March 31, 2017 is here.

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MAVNI Naturalization or US Citizenship Through Military Service Update

4/3/2017

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March 30, 2017 update on MAVNI program (U.S. citizenship through military service):

At some point in the past, it was a very popular and efficient program allowing foreign nationals to become US citizens through service in the U.S. Military: Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and National Guard.

In a video, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and immigration attorney Margaret Stock share the most recent developments. Since fall 2016, the MAVNI program is effectively being shut down. There are numerous delays in naturalization (currently, NSC official processing time is two years!), applicants are facing additional and retroactive requirements. In many cases, USCIS started doing a second round of security background checks, even for those applicants who were already approved. There have been reports of applicants being denied because they had a certain foreign relative living abroad (of course, foreign recruits would have foreign relatives -- they are foreign nationals!). There have been reports of U.S. citizens (former MAVNI recruits) being denied promotion in the military because they are naturalized citizens.

Presently, the US Department of Defense requires all applicants to be "in a lawful immigrant status" when they go to the basic training, and if not in a lawful status, they are required to apply for "deferred action" through USCIS, which is often denied. Atlanta, Georgia is noted as one of the jurisdictions with the most denials. DACA program is a form of a deferred action, which is accepted into this program, as well.

Briefly in-Russian:

Программа получения американского гражданства через военную службу, MAVNI program, претерпевает огромные изменения в сторону ужесточения правил (проводятся проверки "задним числом" уже после утверждения). К заявителям на американское гражданство через военную службу теперь предъявляются "новые" требования. Как говорят адвокаты, начали проводиться дополнительные расследования - в том числе тех, кого уже утвердили.

Иммиграционные адвокаты делятся статистикой отказов (множество отказов из Атланты, Джорджия). Адвокаты приводят примеры того, как их клиенты получили отказ по причине наличия определенных "близких родственников" за пределами США, которые не являются гражданами США. Ну конечно у них будут такие родственники - ведь суть этой программы в том, чтобы дать возможность получения гражданства США иностранными гражданам, и само собой, у них еть родственники за границей!

Сроки ожидания гражданства через службу в армии (по статистике из иммиграционного центра в Небраске) в настоящий момент составляют 2 года.

Адвокаты, специализирующиеся в натурализации через воинскую службу, предсказывают увеличение количества судебных исков от рекрутов как результат отказа или задержек в рассмотрении заявлений на натурализацию.

Министерство обороны США с осени 2016 ввело новое требование к рекрутам: теперь они требуют, чтобы заявитель был в "легальном статусе", и отсюда вытекающее новое требование получить статус deferred action, которое USCIS нередко отказывают. С точки зрения права, это требование не имеет смысла, так как deferred action не дает никакого легального статуса человеку, находящемуся в США после истечения статуса (визы), а только определенную и небезграничную защиту от депортации.

В целом, анализ заставляет задуматься о том, что возможно в будущем программа MAVNI будет аннулирована или станет непрактична или нереалистична для большинства рекрутов, желающих таким образом получить американское гражданство.

Вы можете посмотреть официальное видео от Американской ассоциации иммиграционных адвокатов, датированное 30 марта 2017 на youtube.

MAVNI program

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F1 Students ESL STEM OPT: after December 12, 2016, ACICS is no longer an accrediting agency

Fraud or scam alert from DHS OIG

New Green Card and Work Permit EAD Design Effective May 1, 2017

NY State to Provide Free Lawyers to Detained Immigrants Facing Deportation in Immigration Court

H-1B Work Visa New USCIS Policies April 3 2017: Computer Programming, Fraud Detection

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Held: TPS Recipients Are Eligible to Adjust to LPR Status

MAVNI Naturalization or US Citizenship Through Military Service Update

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