The Biden administration revealed a new policy yesterday to expedite the work visa process for college graduates, including DACA holders. This is a significant measure that will assist foreign nationals who have received an education in the U.S.

The new rule from the Biden Administration demonstrates efforts to update immigration laws to satisfy the needs of the modern economy.

This order helps people looking for work in the United States and gives American companies access to the specialized skills they need to succeed in a cutthroat international marketplace. These adjustments show a more liberal and welcoming stance toward immigration while also recognizing the vital role that human capital plays in stimulating economic growth and innovation.

• If they have employment offers in disciplines linked to their degrees, graduates from American schools and universities—including those covered by the DACA program (Dreamers)—can now obtain work visas more quickly.
• Because highly talented workers can boost the economy and spur innovation, this policy seeks to keep them in the United States.
• This program is a component of the Biden administration's larger initiatives to recognize and assist immigrants, especially those who came to the United States as minors, in light of their important contributions to the nation's economy and society.

Details of the New Policy:
The White House said at a news conference that it will be putting policies into place to make it easier for college graduates—including DACA holders and other DREAMers—to get employment visas when they receive offers for highly skilled jobs. The following are the primary highlights:

• Streamlined Visa Process: To improve the current employment visa application process and make it more dependable and efficient, the government intends to make clarifications and improvements. Their goal is to guarantee that people who have finished their education in the United States can stay and work in the country.
• Eligibility Standards: Although the executive order won't change the basic requirements for work visas such as the H-1B, it might indicate a policy change that gives preference to candidates who have completed their education in U.S. schools and universities, such as DACA beneficiaries and DREAMers. Future rules and regulations will determine the details of this prioritization. It might entail changes to the selection procedure, such as offering graduates of American universities a higher priority.
• Waivers for Prior Unlawful Presence: The administration aims to expedite and increase clarity in the waiver process for those who may be considered inadmissible because of prior unlawful presence in the United States. To expedite the visa process, consular officers may use their discretion to suggest waivers, which the Department of Homeland Security may then grant. All in all, this points to a more flexible and rapid waiver process for this particular applicant pool.
• National Interest: Because foreign-educated people contribute to national interests, the U.S. government is eager to keep them in the country. The strategy is to encourage these individuals to stay and contribute to the U.S. workforce by expediting the visa application process and highlighting their skills, which will benefit both the individuals and employers who are facing a talent shortage.
• High-Skilled Employment: The government intends to expand the present definition of "high-skilled jobs" as part of the executive order. The government recognizes that while these positions are generally linked to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, other professions that are not in STEM also call for advanced training, specialized knowledge, or unusual abilities. The government intends to draw in a larger pool of highly qualified workers to the United States by offering more thorough definitions, which might lead to additional chances for people in non-STEM sectors.

Significance of the New Policy
Presently, DACA recipients are permitted to work legally in the U.S. through temporary work permits linked to their DACA status. These permits differ from specific work visas, such as the H-1B, which provide a unique immigration status and the potential for a pathway to permanent residency via employment-based sponsorship.

One significant advantage for a DACA holder in securing a work visa is the potential to acquire a green card through employment-based sponsorship. Here's why this is important:

• Dual Intent: H-1B visas fall under the category of "dual intent" visas, which enable their holders to work in the country while applying for permanent residence.
• Employer Sponsorship: Companies that sponsor H-1B visa holders may also choose to use employment-based categories (EB-2 or EB-3) to sponsor their application for a green card. This can lead to permanent residency in the end, but it does require a separate application process.

Background:
Previously, DACA beneficiaries who completed a bachelor's degree program at a U.S. university or above were qualified to apply for H-1B visas as long as they fulfilled all other requirements. Nevertheless, this route is neither simple nor assured. Numerous DACA beneficiaries came to the country as minors without being inspected, which can lead to problems with unlawful presence and possibly make it more difficult for them to get certain immigration advantages, such particular work visas. Furthermore, recipients may have been deterred from applying for work visas by the unclear legal landscape around DACA since they were afraid of having their status revoked.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plays a crucial role in processing immigration-related applications and petitions for individuals seeking to live, work, or study in the United States. USCIS regularly reviews and updates its fee structure to support its operations and maintain service quality. As such, USCIS strives to provide quality services to all individuals looking to participate in the U.S. immigration process. Some significant changes to USCIS fees will impact both immigrants and non-immigrants alike. This article will explore the upcoming USCIS fees, their implications, and their potential impact on various individuals and groups.

1. Adjustment of Status Fee Changes: The adjustment of the status process allows specific individuals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status (green card) without leaving the country. With the new fee schedule, applicants can expect adjustments to the filing fees associated with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, or Adjust Status. Potential applicants should be prepared for a possible increase in prices.
   
2. Naturalization Fee Updates: Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is an important milestone for many immigrants. The new USCIS fee structure may change the filing fees for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Prospective applicants should be aware of these adjustments and plan accordingly.
   
3. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Fee Changes: An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allows certain non-immigrants to legally work in the United States. USCIS will likely implement revised fees for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. This will have implications for foreign nationals seeking temporary work authorizations and employers relying on foreign talent.
   
4. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Fee Adjustments: The DACA program temporarily relieves deportation and work authorization for eligible undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. The upcoming changes may affect the fees associated with Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, making it essential for DACA recipients and potential applicants to be informed.
   
5. Impact on Vulnerable Populations: It is essential to consider the impact of fee adjustments on vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers and refugees. The USCIS plays a significant role in processing humanitarian-based immigration applications. Any fee increase may pose challenges for those facing economic hardships and could limit access to critical immigration relief.
   
6. Effect on Business Immigration: The USCIS fee changes will also affect U.S. businesses relying on foreign talent. Employers sponsoring foreign workers for various visa categories, such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visas, may face increased costs related to petition filing fees. These changes could influence hiring decisions and workforce planning for companies relying on skilled immigrant labor.
   

Conclusion:
The upcoming USCIS fee adjustments will likely impact many individuals and groups seeking immigration benefits. As the agency modernizes its operations and improves service delivery, applicants and employers must stay informed about these changes and plan accordingly. Moreover, policymakers and stakeholders must consider the implications of fee adjustments on vulnerable populations and the overall impact on U.S. businesses and the economy.

Yesterday, as part of a broader effort to limit immigration into the country. President Trump temporarily halted the issuance of new work visas and excluded many foreign nationals from seeking work in the United States.

Trump issued a broad order that will last until the end of the year, blocking visas for a wide variety of occupations, including jobs such as computer programmers and other skilled professionals who come to the country under the H-1B visa. In addition, seasonal workers in the hospitality industry, students on work-study summer programs, and au pairs who arrive under other circumstances are also affected.

The order also restricts American companies with global operations and international companies with U.S. branches from transferring foreign executives and other employees to the U.S. for months or years at a time. It also prevents spouses of foreigners working in the United States from entering the country. Officials estimate that the worker visa ban, combined with tightened restrictions on new green card issuance, would then keep up to 525,000 migrant employees outside the country for the rest of the year.

Business leaders are vehemently opposed to the directive, which has been expected for several weeks, claiming that it will prevent them from recruiting urgently needed immigrant workers for jobs that Americans are unwilling to or seemingly incapable of performing.

According to administration officials, the president's order will not affect people who already have valid visas or seasonal farm workers, whose annual numbers have fluctuated between 50,000 and 250,000 over the last 15 years. Officials said there would be a restricted exception to the rule for certain healthcare workers whose job is to work specifically on coronavirus research.

Au pairs, who come to the U.S. to care for children, who officials initially told reporters will be exempt from the order, are now banned. Later, two senior administration officials said parents could apply for waivers to the ban on a case-by-case basis, with no guarantee of approval.

Mr. Trump described the visa suspension in the order as a way to ensure that Americans are first in line for scarce jobs, a claim that immigration advocates argue does not reflect the reality of a dynamic and changing labor market. In April, the president issued an executive order suspending the issuance of green cards to most foreigners seeking to live in the United States for 60 days. However, Mr. Stephen Miller, the White House aide and the creator of the current immigration policy, and the president caved to business pressure at the time to avoid seeking to impose restrictions on visa workers.

In addition to the temporary suspensions, federal officials said Mr. Trump had directed the government to make permanent changes to a wide range of immigration regulations to deter what they called unfair competition for American jobs from foreign nationals attempting to enter the country.

Among those changes will be new methods of ensuring that high-skill visas are awarded to the highest-paid workers in the future. This change is intended to prevent companies from hiring large numbers of mid-level foreign workers to perform accounting and programming and other technology-assisted jobs, which Americans could do.

Other changes would be made to discourage immigrants from seeking asylum as a means of obtaining a work permit in the US.
It was ambiguous when those would occur.

US Citizenship, Naturalization Process US, US Citizen

The US Interview process can feel something like your first driving test. You waited all this time for the day to come and you worry greatly about messing it up. You sit nervously as the instructor directs you on what to do. You cannot afford to make one wrong turn as you know that would mean having to redo the whole process again and just thinking about it is daunting.

The Naturalization test takes just as much preparation. In order to successfully pass the US Naturalization interview, you would need to study extremely hard.

To pass the civics test, you must show up on time. You will be graded and if successfully pass, you will be able to participate in the oath ceremony. 

Here are the steps in the interview process...
​
1. Complete form N-400 and the  biometrics. Once the form N400 and biometrics are       
    completed successfully and approved you will receive an appointment letter.
    However, the waiting period for an interview may take some time.The 
    interview letter has the place, date and time.

2. DO NOT fall prey to being late. Being on time is very important for the naturalization
    interview as well as dressing professionally. Think of this interview as a important
    job interview to you. You wouldn't want to show up in shorts and T-shirt would you?

3. Bring all requested documents and ID - USCIS will ask for the following documents. 
    Make sure you bring them at the time of the interview:

    - Appointment Letter (As you enter the building the security will ask you for your
      appointment letter. This is usually the first thing they asked for, so make sure you
      have it on your person. If the time they give you does not work, request a new 
      date and time as soon as possible).

    - Green card + State ID or Driver's license (Your green card proves your permanent
      residence status so make sure you have that as well. If you have your I-751 pending  
      and have an expired 2 year green card, this is okay. USCIS is aware that your I-751 is
      pending and your permanent residency still considered valid.

    - Any supporting evidence (Bring original copies of your supporting documents. This 
      includes: marriage certificate, birth certificate of any children born during the          
      course of the marriage plus the records of any criminal documents if you have any. 
      If you have any copies of bills or responsibilities that you share such as lease/
      mortgage, utility bills, bank accounts etc. bring those as well. With both your names
      on each document, this proves that you are still married and sharing a home).

4. You'll be asked questions about your background and the information you put on
    your application. Don't be nervous. Usually the interviewer will start with a casual 
    conversation just to get you comfortable or they might just get right into the
    interview. Either way, once you are prepared, there is nothing to be worried about.
   
    The interviewer will ask questions about your past. Be prepared. The questions asked
    could be job related, about your relationship or your travel history such as places
    you have been outside of the US and about children you may have. Do you have any
    convictions? If you do, please bring proof that the charges were dropped or records
    sealed. There is no reason in lying as this already came up in your background
    check.

5. Now it's time to take the English and Civics test. Understanding basic English is
    necessary to this process of if English is not your first language, it may be wise
    to prepare for this section of the process. The interviewer will show you a few
    sentences of which you are required to read aloud.

    The civics test however, does take a great amount of practice. You are required to 
    study 100 questions of which you'll be asked 10 and must past at least 6 out of the 10
    You will be told immediately if you passed the test but if you don't, you'll get a
    letter granting you a new appointment. This should give you enough time to prepare
    and come back ready.

6. The Big Decision. This is the final decision. The interviewer will let you know if you
    passed the test and the interview. They may also let you know that additional  
    evidence is needed before a decision can be made or that you will receive a letter in
    the mail about your oath ceremony from USCIS. The letter should be in the mail
    within 4-6 weeks but can take longer if there are a lot of people in your area waiting
    to be naturalized.

7. What happen if you fail the Civics test? Many people fail the test as well as many
    passes it on the first try. If you happen to be one of the many who fails it on the first
    try, don't fret, USCIS may allow you to take it again at a later date.This will happen
    weeks after the first interview, which will give you enough time to prepare.

    Practicing for the second test is paramount as USCIS will likely deny your application
    if you fail it.


   Related Post: Why was my citizenship application denied?