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USCIS Introduces Online Scheduling Tool for Local Field Appointments

Rebecca R. Cohen
October 17, 2023
Alert
This summer, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expanded options for applicants and attorneys to schedule appointments online with local USCIS field offices in two significant ways. Biometric Service Appointments Can Now Be Rescheduled Online In June 2023, USCIS began allowing applicants and attorneys to reschedule most biometrics appointments (appointments for fingerprints, photograph, or Read More »

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Expands Stampless Entry Program

Rebecca R. Cohen
August 14, 2023
Alert
In April 2022, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") piloted a "stampless" entry program, that is now expanding to all airports, seaports, and land ports of entry. This new program means that CBP has discontinued using ink stamps in passports to document entry into the United States. While this new process should streamline entries Read More »

Significant Changes to Naturalization Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

Rebecca R. Cohen
February 06, 2023
Alert
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance and revisions to Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.   Form N-648 is used by U.S. citizenship applicants requesting an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. The form is Read More »

DHS Final Rule to Preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Rebecca R. Cohen
January 26, 2023
Alert
On October 31, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a final rule aimed to preserve and strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The implementation of the final rule means that DACA is now based on a formal regulation, rather than just a policy memorandum. The DACA program has allowed over Read More »

USCIS Extends Temporary Waiver of the Requirement that Form I-693 Be Signed No More than 60 Days Prior to Submission

Rebecca R. Cohen
October 17, 2022
Alert
USCIS has extended the temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days prior to submission. The waiver took effect on December 9, 2021 and has been extended to March 31, 2023, to further ease processing delays and difficulties completing Read More »

Automatic Extension of Permanent Resident Cards for Pending I-90 Applicants

Rebecca R. Cohen
October 17, 2022
Alert
Effective September 26, 2022, USCIS is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents (LPR) who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.  Previously, the extension was for a period of 12 months. LPRs who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or Read More »

Clarification of How USCIS Determines the Appropriate O-1B Classification for Those in the Film, Television and Media Industry

Rebecca R. Cohen
June 06, 2022
Alert
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") recently updated the USCIS Policy Manual to explain how officers should determine whether a potential O-1B beneficiary should be evaluated as someone with extraordinary ability in the arts ("O-1B Arts") or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry ("O-1B MPTV"). While the visa category is the same, Read More »

New Immigration Policies and Initiatives for Attracting and Retaining STEM Workers in the U.S.

Rebecca R. Cohen
March 21, 2022
Alert
On January 21, 2022, the Biden Administration announced several agency actions to attract and retain international science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent.  Attracting STEM talent is one of the administration's key strategies for U.S. technological and economic global competitiveness. The administration set forth new policies to provide clearer and more predictable pathways for international Read More »

New York Paid Sick Leave Legislation

Rebecca R. Cohen, John L. Valentino
September 14, 2020
Alert
Following New York's enactment of temporary COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave benefits in March, New York enacted permanent paid sick leave legislation on April 3, 2020. Governor Cuomo signed the State Budget (Senate Bill S7506B) into law, which includes a provision that amends the New York Labor Law to require employers to provide paid sick Read More »

Dual Citizenship Client Testimonial

Rebecca R. Cohen
March 13, 2018
Testimonial
I came to Bousquet Holstein PLLC with a complicated Italian Dual Citizenship matter - I needed to get a “one and the same” court order for a living relative in Massachusetts for an appointment coming up at the Consolato Italiano in New York. One of the attorneys at Bousquet Holstein PLLC, Rebecca Cohen, is admitted Read More »
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