Employment-based petitions must refer to the Final Action chart, not the Dates for Filing chart. The dates for all employment-based applicants have progressed.

The employment-based dates are as follows: EB-1 is current for all countries. EB-2 is current for all countries except China (December 1, 2016) and India (August 1, 2010). EB-3 is current for all countries except China (March 15, 2018) and India (February 1, 2011). EB-3 Other Workers is current for all countries except China (August 1, 2009) and India (February 1, 2011). EB-4 is current for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (September 1, 2018), and Mexico (February 1, 2019). EB-5 non-regional centers are current for all countries except China (Aug 15, 2015) and Vietnam (December 15, 2017).

1. Border arrivals have been rising since April 2020, when President Trump began expelling all individuals apprehended at the border under Title 42 of the U.S. Code. Single adults account for most of the increase. In February 2021, 71% of all people encountered at the border were single adults. The number of families arriving at the border is still half what it was in February 2019.
2. The southern border remains closed to nearly everyone. Last month, 72% of all people encountered at the border were sent back to Mexico or to their home countries. Very few unaccompanied children and families were permitted to come into the country and challenge their deportation in court.

Employment-based petitions must refer to the Final Action chart, not the Dates for Filing chart. The dates for all employment-based applicants have progressed.

The employment-based dates are as follows: EB-1 is current for all countries. EB-2 is current for all countries except China (September 1, 2016) and India (May 1, 2010). EB-3 is current for all countries except China (March 15, 2018) and India (September 1, 2010). EB-3 Other Workers is current for all countries except China (June 1, 2009) and India (September 1, 2010). EB-4 is current for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (August 1, 2018), and Mexico (February 1, 2019). EB-5 non-regional centers are current for all countries except China (Aug 15, 2015) and Vietnam (December 15, 2017).

14-month OPT Period Flexibilities

To give F-1 students the opportunity to complete the full period of requested OPT (up to 12 months), USCIS will allow the 14-month period to commence from the approval date of their Form I-765.

Employment-based petitions must refer to the Final Action chart, not the Dates for Filing chart. The dates for all employment-based applicants have progressed.

The employment-based dates are as follows: EB-1 is current for all countries except China (August 1, 2020) and India (August 1, 2020).  EB-2 is current for all countries except China (July 15, 2016) and India (January 15, 2010). EB-3 is current for all countries except China (February 8, 2018) and India (July 1, 2010). EB-3 Other Workers is current for all countries except China (May 1, 2009) and India (July 1, 2010). EB-4 is current for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (June 1, 2018), and Mexico (January 1, 2019). EB-5 non-regional centers are current for all countries except China (Aug 15, 2015) and Vietnam (October 22, 2017).

Before March 2019, USCIS typically adjudicated H-1B petitions with any H-4 dependent petitions and H-4 EAD applications. Now, USCIS can take two years to process many H-4 applications. Current processing times at the California Service Center for I-539 H dependents are 19 – 24.5 months. Wait times increased after USCIS began requiring H-4 spouses to supply biometrics.

In Kolluri v. USCIS, filed in September 2020, plaintiffs charged that the biometrics policy was designed to make retaining or obtaining H-4 work authorization more difficult. In a motion in Gona v. USCIS, filed on February 8th, 2021, plaintiff’s counsel argues that wait times for H-4 extensions outstrip those of other extension applicants. “Regardless of which service center adjudicates the petition, the applicant is mathematically guaranteed to lose immigration status and employment authorization.”

In more detail, today’s executive actions will:

• Create a task force to reunify families. The task force will work with key stakeholders and representatives of impacted families to find separated parents and children. The task force will report regularly to the President with recommendations to reunite families and prevent future separations. This Order revokes the Trump Administration’s Executive Order that permitted separating families at the Southern Border.

Employment-based petitions must refer to the Final Action chart, not the Dates for Filing chart. The dates for all employment-based applicants have progressed.

The employment-based dates are as follows: EB-1 is current for all countries except China (Jan 1, 2020) and India (Jan 1, 2020).  EB-2 is current for all countries except China (Jun 15, 2016) and India (Oct 12, 2009). EB-3 is current for all countries except China (Jan 1, 2018) and India (April 1, 2010). EB-3 Other Workers is current for all countries except China (April 1, 2009) and India (April 1, 2010). EB-4 is current for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (April 15, 2018), and Mexico (Dec 15, 2018). EB-5 non-regional centers are current for all countries except China (Aug 15, 2015) and Vietnam (Oct 1, 2017). 

Contact our office at immigrationinfo@cornerlaw.com if you have any questions about receipt delays, filing an application through the USCIS lockbox, or about checking the status of your application.

Proclamation 10052 went into effect on June 24 and limits the entry of non-immigrants on H-1B, H-2B, L, and most J visas, and their spouses or children. Proclamation 10014 went into effect on April 23 and suspends the entry of those seeking admission using an immigrant visa. The restrictions apply to those outside of the US without a valid visa on the date the proclamations respectively became effective.

There are numerous exemptions, including for permanent residents, children and spouses of US citizens, and those whose entry would be in the “national interest.” Those issued other forms of valid travel documentation – such as Advanced Parole – may also be able to travel.