IMMIGRATION ALERT: JULY DATES ALL CURRENT TO Aug 17
As has been expected for sometime, the DOS has rescinded its July 2 Interim July 2007 Visa Bulletin and has re-enacted the June 15th July 2007 Visa Bulletin. All immigrant Visa Bulletin dates are now current through the end of July. All persons with approved Labor Certifications and/or pending I-140s are eligible to file I-485 Adjustment of Status and the interim benefits that flow from such a filing (i.e. EAD card and Advance Parole). This is welcome news.
However this does not end the Visa Bulletin mess created by the July 2 Interim July 2007 Visa Bulletin. There are rumors that the DOS may extend the period of time that eligible immigrant applicants will be allowed to file Adjustment Applications into August. Indeed, the August Visa Bulletin itself adds to the intrigue (see below). AILA is reporting that the USCIS will allow I-485 Applications through August 17, and that the proposed filing fee increase will not go into effect until such time.
For now, all HLG clients should have sent in their documents to us. If you haven’t, please do so immediately. You should also schedule medical appointments if you have not yet done so.
Relevant language from the August Visa Bulletin.
D. JULY EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY
After consulting with Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Visa Office advises readers that Visa Bulletin #107 (dated June 12) should be relied upon as the current July Visa Bulletin for purposes of determining Employment visa number availability, and that Visa Bulletin #108 (dated July 2) is hereby withdrawn.
E. AUGUST EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY
All Employment-based preference categories are “Unavailable” for August. At this time, it is uncertain whether any numbers will be returned and can be reallocated at a future date. Until informed otherwise, all readers should assume that the categories will remain unavailable until October, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Full bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3269.html
UPDATE: Zoe Lofgren confirms that I-485 filings will be accepted until August 17, and that the filing fees will remain at current levels: http://lofgren.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1814
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