Rising tensions in the Middle East are causing immediate disruptions to visa processing and international travel across the region. According to the State Department, several embassies throughout the Middle East have halted or significantly limited visa services following airstrikes targeting Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions. The situation is fluid and…
A federal judge has issued a court order requiring that immigrants detained at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in downtown Los Angeles be granted access to their attorneys in a timely manner. The ruling comes after lawyers reported that detainees were frequently denied phone access, had…
Recently, the Department of State released guidance to assist U.S. Citizens petitioning for family members in Lebanon. Here are the highlights: To facilitate family reunification, full immigrant visa processing has resumed for Lebanese family members of U.S. citizens, at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Routine nonimmigrant visa processing is not…
On October 11, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updated guidance for requests to expedite travel-related documents and expedite requests relating to government interests. The guidance is effective immediately. Who may file an expedite request? Individuals who are located inside the United States may request that USCIS…
If your case remains pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) beyond the posted processing times for your immigration benefit request, you may consider requesting assistance from the Ombudsman’s Office. What is the USCIS Ombudsman? The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) helps individuals and employers…