The Compass Immigration News to help Employers, Families and Individuals navigate the legal system to successfully achieve their immigration goals.
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 […]
The US State Department and AILA Announce Changes to Nonimmigrant Visa Applications
Once form DS-160 has been submitted to the US State Department, it cannot be “reopened†to make changes. However, both the US Dept. of State and AILA have announced ways in which changes can still be made to applications before they get to an Officer at the US Consulate: For either option, if the original […]
The USCIS Has Now Reached FY2023 H-1B Cap
USCIS announced it has received sufficient petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for FY2023. However, USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are exempt from the cap. See more details in the PDF below: […]
“Dual Representation” in U.S. Employment-Based Immigration Law
An immigration attorney who files employment-based immigration cases represents both the petitioning employer and the employee beneficiary. This concept is known as “dual representation.†This dual representation implicates two fundamental principles in the attorney-client privilege: Loyalty: Attorneys have a duty of loyalty to their clients, and when an attorney represents multiple clients in the same […]