The Compass Immigration News to help Employers, Families and Individuals navigate the legal system to successfully achieve their immigration goals.

USCIS Issues Clarifying Guidance for Individuals Authorized to Work Under Special Relief Provisions
USCIS has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 non-immigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief (SSR)) who are work authorized under the SSR provisions of 8 CFR, the Service’s regulations. This clarifies that in […]

The Very Questionable Alternative to the H-1 Category
The internet is full of many, many ads for the “EB-5†immigrant visa category (for conditional permanent residence and ultimately regular permanent residence) which is promoted as an alternative to the H-1 process. Some of the “advantages“ include: there is no lottery, no arguments about what is and is not an H-1 position, etc. Specifically, […]

USCIS Agrees to Decide H-4 and L-2 Applications with the Principal H-1 or L-1
Several years ago, the Immigration Service (USCIS) was sued in Federal Court for their decision to require biometrics for H-4 and L-2 dependents. Unsurprisingly, this significantly delayed the decisions for their change or extension of status. These delays could run as much as two years. In many cases, the work permit (EAD) would expire, and […]

USCIS Processing Delay Lawsuit
This week, it was announced that a large group of individuals facing long delays in the processing of their I-601A Applications for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers have filed a class action lawsuit in Seattle against the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to challenge those delays. This type of class action lawsuit, on behalf […]

Tidwell, Swaim & Farquhar Takes the Gold for Best Immigration Attorney in DFW!
We are very pleased to announce that our firm, David Swaim and Associates, P.C. (DSA) has been selected by the readers of the Dallas Morning News as the best immigration law firm in the DFW Metroplex. We are very honored to receive this award and credit the support of our clients, employers, universities and, of […]

USCIS Announces Tips to Filing Petitions/Applications Online
As we move toward an increasing electronic environment, we now scan and upload many documents into electronic database systems. To avoid delays and improve scanning efficiency, we recommend that you do not: Avoiding these activities will improve our efficiency as we process your application, petition, or request. David Swaim, Managing PartnerTidwell, Swaim & Farquhar, P.C. […]

Visitor Visas and the Difference Between the B-1 and B-2 Categories
Visitor visas are for people who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1) or for tourism (visa category B-2). A visitor under the B-1 visitor for business category is permitted to, among other things: Consult with business associates Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference Settle an […]

USCIS Increases Green Card Validity Extension Period
Effective Sept. 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green […]

News from DHS About Asylum Cases
The Department of Homeland Security has released new I-765 and I-589 forms which are very important for asylum and work authorization through asylum. You will be required to use the updated forms starting Nov. 7, 2022, and any old forms after that date will not be accepted. What Are Forms I-589 and I-765? Forms I-589 […]