POLICY & ANALYSIS

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Application guides, policy context and the details behind immigration decisions.

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Fees, forms & filing

USCIS Receipt Notices Delayed: Applicants May Wait 6 to 8 Weeks After Filing

On December 15, 2020, USCIS announced delays in issuing receipt notices due to a surge in applications and pandemic-related staffing shortages at its mail processing facilities. Combined with USPS delivery delays, applicants may receive receipts 6 to 8 weeks after filing, though USCIS says notices are generally issued within 30 days. Those needing extensions or status changes should prepare early and consider online filing.

Report2 min read
Work authorization & students

U.S. State Department Proposes Rescinding B-1 in Lieu of H-1B Visa Policy

On October 21, the U.S. State Department proposed rescinding the "B-1 in lieu of H" policy, which would eliminate the B-1 visa option used as an alternative to H-1B. The visa allows employees of foreign companies to work temporarily in the United States, with the State Department estimating 6,000 to 8,000 issued annually. The article compares B-1, this visa, and H status, and notes reporting by India Times and allegations by California's attorney general against Infosys.

Report2 min read
General policy

Summary of COVID-19-Related U.S. Visa and Entry Restrictions

This article summarizes various U.S. visa and entry restrictions implemented during the early COVID-19 pandemic, including suspension of routine visa services at embassies and consulates, cancellation of USCIS interviews and naturalization ceremonies, a 60-day pause on certain immigrant visas, sanctions under INA 243(d), essential-travel-only restrictions at land and sea borders with Canada and Mexico, entry bans for travelers who had been in China, Iran, Schengen countries, the UK, Ireland, or Brazil within the prior 14 days, and requirements for international flights to land at designated airports.

Report4 min read
Green cards & adjustment

A Review of FY2018 U.S. Green Card Approvals and Issuances

Drawing on FY2018 data from the U.S. Department of State and USCIS, this article reviews approval volumes, category shares, and approval-rate changes for adjustment of status in the United States and immigrant visas issued abroad, comparing family-based, employment-based, and refugee/asylee categories.

Report2 min read
Work authorization & students

US Government Expected to Revive International Entrepreneur Parole Program

The Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn a 2018 proposal to rescind the International Entrepreneur Parole program, which may now be revived. This article covers the program's history, parole period, family provisions and eligibility requirements, and clarifies that parole is not a visa or an immigration program.

Report2 min read
Fees, forms & filing

USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase Starting October 19

This article covers USCIS's increase of Premium Processing fees effective October 19, 2020: H-2B and R-1 petitions rise to $1,500, while all other categories rise to $2,500. It also outlines the categories the appropriations act authorizes for Premium Processing expansion, the proposed fees and processing times for each, and related provisions on fee adjustments and case status inquiries.

Report2 min read
Work authorization & students

Rising H-1B Denial Rates: The Companies Most Affected

Drawing on data compiled by the National Foundation for American Policy, this article describes the rise in H-1B denial rates for both new employees and renewals since Trump took office, notes that FY2020 figures cover only through Q2 and that the full-year rate may decline, and lists the IT and consulting firms most affected, including Infosys, whose denial rate rose from 2% in 2015 to 59% so far in FY2020.

Report2 min read
Green cards & adjustment

Analysis of Pandemic Impact on Green Card Backlogs and FY2021 Employment-Based Immigration Trends

Based on January 28, 2022 material, this article reviews how the pandemic and immigration bans affected green card backlogs. It covers a State Department official's remarks on underissued EB-5 visas in FY2020 and a possible increase to 200,000 employment-based visas in FY2021, explains the spillover mechanism and order from family to employment categories, and distinguishes domestic adjustment of status from overseas consular processing.

Report4 min read
General policy

USCIS Cancels Planned Furloughs, Warns of Longer Processing Times for Immigration Benefits

This article traces how USCIS, facing a pandemic-driven revenue collapse in 2020, planned mass furloughs, sought emergency funding from Congress, and saw the House pass H.R. 8089, before ultimately canceling the furloughs set for August 30 in favor of spending cuts. USCIS warned that immigration benefit applications, including adjustment of status and naturalization, would take longer.

Report2 min read
General policy

USCIS Releases New Mission Statement, Dropping Trump-Era 'America First' Version

USCIS issued a new mission statement on February 9, 2022, replacing the 2018 Trump-era version. The article compares the full text of the mission statements under Bush/Obama, Trump, and Biden, tracing the removal and restoration of phrases such as 'nation of immigrants' and 'our customers,' and the new statement's first reference to respect for all those it serves.

Report3 min read
Green cards & adjustment

Records of Employment-Based Green Card Issuances to China and India, 2000-2018

This article compiles data from U.S. Department of State visa reports for fiscal years 2000–2018, showing green card issuances and shares for China and India in EB1–EB5 employment-based categories. It compares trends: India's EB1 surged after 2012, while EB2 and EB3 dropped sharply after 2008; China's EB5 rose rapidly after 2012, with its five-year average exceeding other employment categories.

Report11 min read
General policy

Thomas Jefferson High School's Class of 2020: Ivy League and Top University Enrollment Data

This article presents enrollment data for about 300 graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's Class of 2020, including 243 who enrolled at well-known universities. It lists enrollment counts for each Ivy League school and institutions such as MIT and Stanford, explains the difference between enrollment and admission data, and notes the school's admissions reform and Asian student share.

Report5 min read

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