The Law Office of Ify Ononogbu aims to keep everyone up to date with the latest insights in immigration news and updates for the United States.
Visa Bulletin for January 2022
The U.S Department of State releases monthly updates to priority dates indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. View the latest green card waiting lists as of January 2022.
View January 2022 Visa Bulletin
January 3rd, 2022
The latest immigration updates to kick-off 2022.
Travel restrictions for the eight African countries have been lifted as of December 31st. Fully vaccinated individuals can resume travel to the United States. Countries included in the ban were: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.
The Department of State has proposed a new rule to raise fees for most nonimmigrant visas in 2022. The new proposed fees will impact most nonimmigrant visas by more than 50%; tourist (B-1/B-2) and student visas (F, M, J) rising by 53%, from $160 to $245. Employment visas including, H, L, O, P, Q, R, and E categories will rise by 63%, from $190 to $310.
According to data released by the USCIS over 200,000 green cards have been wasted in 2021 due to backlogs. The data released included information for all family, fiance, and employment-based petitions for permanent residency and naturalization applications.
USCIS has extended flexibility for responding to agency requests. Flexibilities apply to:
- Requests for Evidence
- Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14)
- Notices of Intent to Deny
- Notices of Intent to Revoke
- Notices of Intent to Rescind
- Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers
- Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.
USCIS will consider a response to the above requests and notices received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking any action.
January 10th, 2022
Immigration news to be aware of in the United States.
Build Back Better Act discussions have stalled in the Senate; the proposal that plans for work authorization for undocumented people who have been in the United States continuously since 2011 and to have parole-in-place.
The backlog of cases in the U.S. immigration court system has surpassed 1.5 million at the end of 2021. Both Dallas County, and Harris County Texas are in the top 5 to have the most pending Immigration Court deportation cases (as of the end of November 2021). On January 10th, further postponements have been announced by the EOIR due to the surge of Covid-19 cases. Representation is very imported when facing deportation.
The Biden administration has asked for an expedited briefing to allow for arguments against the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy which bars asylum seekers from entering the U.S. His administration has hit many roadblocks in trying to abolish the Trump-era policy. The court could hear the arguments in the case in its April sitting.
January 24th, 2022
New research and reports reveal the latest about immigration in the United States.
New Study shows 1 in 10 Black people in the United States are immigrants. Black immigrants have a higher level of education and income than U.S born Black people, however a new study by Pew Research shows that the same obstacles in home ownership and career progression.
Covid-19 cases in U.S immigration detention centers have surged by 520% in 2022, prompting calls for increased vaccinations and detainee releases. Since the outset of the pandemic, more than 32,000 immigrants have tested positive for the coronavirus while in ICE custody, according to agency data.
Data by the U.S government shows that reduced immigration is contributing to the labor shortage around America. Industries hit the hardest include service, natural resources, and construction.
Get in touch today with your immigration and family law needs. Virtual and in-person consultations available in Dallas, Texas with Attorney Ify.