Russia no longer allows the consulates to employ locals within Russia. Consequently, the US consulate in Moscow suspended most visa services due to a reduction in staff by 75%. Likewise, US consulates in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok suspended consular services. Nonimmigrant Visas: The US consulates in Russia no longer offer any nonimmigrant visa services, except for […]
LPR Green Card Holders Who Are Unable to Timely Return To US
US lawful permanent resident “green card” holders need to maintain primary residence in the US. Primary residence generally means being physically present inside the US more than half the time on a rolling annual basis. Problems in Maintaining US Residence Some LPRs are unable to return to the US on time. Others are on ex-pat […]
Public Charge Rule Back to Normal
Trump Administration Change to the Definition of “Public Charge” Reversed by the Biden Administration For decades, the “public charge rule” has been a limitation on immigration. Vagrants must not obtain US immigration benefits. Those who are likely to obtain certain types of government welfare are unable to obtain a visa or green card. Redefining Public […]
Routine USA Visa Processing Resumes
The Department of State announced it will resume routine visa processing in phases. The prior administration stopped visa processing of certain visa classes by issuing proclamations. The Biden administration lifted those restrictions. Now, the state department will prioritize certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing: “Posts that process immigrant visa applications will prioritize Immediate Relative family […]
Biden Reinstates DACA Protocols
On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled, “Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)” (“The Memo”). The Memo directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to “take all actions he deems appropriate consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA.” There are no […]