Category Archives: Naturalization

የዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ኦፍ አሜሪካ ይፋዊ ማስታውቅያ ስለ ኢትዮጵያውያን ግዜያዊ የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ (TPS)

ኮልማን ጃክሰን ፒ.ሲ

4/3/2023

መጀመሪያ ስለ ግዜያዊ የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ ምንነት እናስረዳዎመመርያ፡

ግዜያዊ የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ በምህጻረ ቃል (TPS)  እንደ ግርጎሳርያን አቆጣጠር በ1980 የዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ኦፍ አሜሪካ ኮንግረስ የተቋቋመ ሲሆን አላማውም በሰው ሰራሽ እና በተፈጥሮአዊ ምክንያቶች ምክንያት ከአሜሪካ ውጭ ያሉ ዜጎችን ለሚያጋትማቸው የስነልቦናዊ ፣ መሃበራዊ ፣ አካላዊ እንዲሁም ኢኮኖምያዊ ቀውሶች የሰብአዊ ድጋፍ አና እፎይታ ለመስጠት ያለመ ነው።

የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS) ምንድን ነው?

የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS) የትውልድ አገራቸው ደህንነታቸው ያልተጠበቀ ነው ተብለው የሚታሰቡ ስደተኞች ለጊዜው፣ ግን ረዘም ላለ ጊዜ በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ የመኖር እና የመስራት መብት የሚፈቅድ ፕሮግራም ነው። እንደ ህጋዊ ቋሚ ነዋሪ ወይም የአሜሪካ ዜጎች ባይቆጠሩም ብዙዎቹ በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ውስጥ ከሃያ ዓመታት በላይ ኖረዋል። የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS) በአደጋ ምክንያት ወደ አገራቸው መመለስ ለማይችሉ ሰዎች ነው። እነዚህም የትጥቅ ግጭት፣ የአካባቢ አደጋዎች ወይም ሌሎች ጊዜያዊ አደጋዎችን ሊያካትቱ ይችላሉ። ይህ ጥበቃ(status) የሚገኘው ዜግነት ለሌላቸው ዜጎች እና ግለሰቦች በተሰየመው ሀገር ውስጥ ለዘለቄታው ለቆዩ ብቻ ነው።

የሃገር ውስጥ ደህንነት ክፍል (DHS) ፀሃፊ የአሜሪካ መንግስት የመሾም ስልጣን ነው። ጸሃፊው ኢትዮጵያን ለጊዜያዊ ጥበቃ ሁኔታ (TPS ለ18 ወራት ከታህሳስ 12 ቀን 2022 ጀምሮ እስከ ሰኔ 12 ቀን 2024 ድረስ) ሾመ።

የ TPS ጥቅሞች ምንድ ናቸው?

  • በዩኤስኤ ውስጥ ለተወሰነ ጊዜ በህጋዊ መንገድ መቆየት ይችላሉ።
  • በዩኤስኤ ውስጥ ለስራ ፍቃድ ማመልከት ይችላሉ።
  • ከዩኤስኤ ውጭ ለመጓዝ ሰነድ ማመልከት ይችላሉ።
  • ከመታሰር እና ከመባረር ይጠበቃሉ።
  • ከሌላ የስደት ሁኔታ ጋር በተመሳሳይ ጊዜ TPS ሊኖርዎት ይችላል። ለእነዚያ የኢሚግሬሽን ጥቅማጥቅሞች መስፈርቶችን ካሟሉ ለጥገኝነት፣ ህጋዊ የቋሚ ነዋሪነት ሁኔታ (Green Card) ወይም ሌላ የተጠበቀ ሁኔታ ማመልከት ይችላሉ።

የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS) እንዴት ነው የሚሰራው?

አንድ ሀገር የTPS ስያሜ ከተቀበለች በኋላ ማንኛውም የዚያ ሀገር ዜጋ በአካል በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ውስጥ የሚገኝ በአሜሪካ የዜግነት እና የኢሚግሬሽን አገልግሎት (USCIS)፣ የDHS ኤጀንሲ የተወሰኑ መስፈርቶችን ካሟሉ ለፕሮግራሙ ማመልከት ይችላሉ። ውድቅ የሚያደርጉ ምክንያቶች በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ውስጥ የወንጀል ፍርዶች እና በሽብርተኝነት እንቅስቃሴዎች ውስጥ መሳተፍ ያካትታሉ።

የአንድ ሀገር TPS ስያሜ የመስጠት ስልጣን በአገር ውስጥ ደህንነት ዲፓርትመንት ፀሃፊ የተያዘ ነው፣ እሱም በአገሪቱ ውስጥ ያሉ ሁኔታዎች ግለሰቦች በሰላም ወደ ቤታቸው እንዳይመለሱ የሚከለክል ከሆነ ላልተወሰነ ጊዜ ማራዘም ይችላል። የ TPS መሰየሚያ ምክንያቶች የሚከተሉትን ያካትታሉ:

  • እንደ የእርስ በርስ ጦርነት ያለ ቀጣይነት ያለው የትጥቅ ግጭት;
  • እንደ የመሬት መንቀጥቀጥ, አውሎ ንፋስ, ድርቅ ወይም ወረርሽኝ የመሳሰሉ የአካባቢ አደጋዎች; እና ሌሎች ሀገሪቱን ከአደጋ የሚያጋጩ ያልተለመዱ እና ጊዜያዊ ሁኔታዎች።

የአንድ ሀገር ስያሜ አንዴ ካለቀ ግለሰቦች TPS ከመቀበላቸው በፊት ወደ ያዙት የኢሚግሬሽን ሁኔታ ይመለሳሉ፣ ይህም ለአብዛኛዎቹ ስደተኞች ወደ ህጋዊ ፍቃድ መመለስ እና ወደ ትውልድ ሀገራቸው የመባረር ስጋትን መጋፈጥ ማለት ነው። ብቁ ከሆኑ ለስራ ወይም ለተማሪ ቪዛ ማመልከት ይችላሉ፣ ምንም እንኳን እነዚያ ጊዜያዊ ናቸው። ነገር ግን፣ እነዚያ የ TPS ስደተኞች የትዳር ጓደኞቻቸው ወይም ጎልማሳ ልጆቻቸው ዜጎች ወይም ህጋዊ ቋሚ ነዋሪ የሆኑ የስደተኛ አቤቱታ ሲፈቀድላቸው በህጋዊ መንገድ በአገር ውስጥ ለመቆየት ብቁ ሊሆኑ ይችላሉ። አንዳንድ አሰሪዎች የ TPS ሰራተኞችን በመወከል የስደተኛ አቤቱታዎችን ማቅረብ ይችላሉ። ስለዚህ፣ የTPS ስደተኞች በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ውስጥ ለመቆየት እና ለመስራት ብዙ አማራጭ መንገዶች ሊኖራቸው ይችላል TPS ሁኔታቸው በሚያልቅበት ጊዜም እንኳ።

አሁን ትኩረታችንን ወደ አሜሪካ የኢትዮጵያ ግዜያዊ የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ እናዙር የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS)ን ለኢትዮጵያ የሾመው ማን ነው?

እ.ኤ.አ ኦክቶበር 21፣ 2022 የአገር ውስጥ ደህንነት መምሪያ (ዲኤችኤስ) አሁን ባለው ሁኔታ TPSን ለኢትዮጵያ ሰይሟል። የፌደራል መመዝገቢያ ማስታወቂያ ከተጋራበት ጊዜ ጀምሮ ደረጃው ለ18 ወራት ይቆያል። DHS እየተካሄደ ያለውን የትጥቅ ግጭት እና በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ ያለውን ያልተለመደ እና ጊዜያዊ ሁኔታዎችን ይገነዘባል። ይህ ስያሜ የተመሰረተው በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ እየተካሄደ ባለው የትጥቅ ግጭት እና የኢትዮጵያውያን እና ምንም አይነት ዜግነት የሌላቸው ኢትዮጵያውያን በሰላም ወደ ኢትዮጵያ እንዳይመለሱ በሚከለክሉ ልዩ እና ጊዜያዊ ሁኔታዎች ላይ ነው። በትጥቅ ግጭት ምክንያት፣ ሲቪሎች ከግጭት ጋር በተያያዙ ጥቃቶች፣ ጥቃቶች፣ ግድያዎች፣ አስገድዶ መድፈር እና ሌሎች ጾታ-ተኮር ጥቃቶችን ጨምሮ ለአደጋ የተጋለጡ ናቸው። በዘር ላይ የተመሰረተ እስራት; እና የሰብአዊ መብት ጥሰቶች እና ጥሰቶች. ዜጎቹን በደህንነት ወደ መጡበት እንዳይመለሱ የሚከለክሉት ያልተለመዱ እና ጊዜያዊ ሁኔታዎች ከፍተኛ የምግብ ዋስትና እጦት፣ የጎርፍ መጥለቅለቅ፣ ድርቅ፣ መጠነ ሰፊ መፈናቀል እና የበሽታ መከሰት ተጽእኖን ያካተተ ሰብአዊ ቀውስ ይገኙበታል።

ለማመልከት ብቁ የሆነው ማነው?

በዩኤስሲአይኤስ መሰረት፣ በኢትዮጵያ ስያሜ ለTPS ብቁ የሆኑ ግለሰቦች ከኦክቶበር 20፣ 2022 ጀምሮ ያለማቋረጥ በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ መኖር አለባቸው። ከኦክቶበር 20፣ 2022 በኋላ ወደ አሜሪካ ለመጓዝ የሚሞክሩ ግለሰቦች በዚህ ስያሜ ለTPS ብቁ አይሆኑም። የኢትዮጵያ የ18 ወራት ጊዜያዊ የጥበቃ ሁኔታ ስያሜ ከታህሳስ 12 ቀን 2022 ጀምሮ ተግባራዊ ይሆናል እና በጁን 12፣ 2024 ያበቃል። ማንኛውም ሰው ለTPS በተሰየመው ጊዜ ውስጥ ማመልከት አለበት።

ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ የሚያመለክቱ ከሆነ የሚከተሉትን መስፈርቶች ማሟላት አለብዎት:

  • የኢትዮጵያ ዜግነት ያለው ወይም ዜግነት የሌለው ሰው ሁን ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ ለረጅም ጊዜ የኖረ አሜሪካ ከመግባቱ በፊት
  • ከኦክቶበር 20፣ 2022 ጀምሮ ያለማቋረጥ የኖሩት በዩኤስኤ ውስጥ ብቻ ነው።
  • ከኦክቶበር 20፣ 2022 ጀምሮ ከአሜሪካ አልወጡም።

እንዴት ማመልከት ይቻላል?

ለTPS ኢትዮጵያ ፎርም I-821፣ ለጊዜያዊ ጥበቃ ሁኔታ ማመልከቻ በማስገባት ማመልከት ይችላሉ። እንዲሁም ማመልከቻዎን ከUSCIS ጋር በመስመር ላይ ማስገባት ይችላሉ። በዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ኦክቶበር 20, 2022 ያለማቋረጥ ስለመኖርዎ የማንነትዎ፣ የዜግነትዎ፣ የመግቢያ ቀንዎ እና ማስረጃዎቸን የሚያሳዩ ሰነዶችን መላክ አለቦት። ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ ለTPS የሚያመለክቱ ከሆነ ክፍያ መክፈል አለብዎት። የመጀመርያው የTPS ማቅረቢያ የአሁኑ የማመልከቻ ክፍያ $50 እና $85 የባዮሜትሪክ ክፍያ ነው። ክፍያውን ለመክፈል አቅም ከሌለዎት ለክፍያ ማቋረጫ ማመልከት ይችሉ ይሆናል.

በተጨማሪም ቅጽ I-821 በፋይሊንግ ቅጽ I-765፣ የቅጥር ፍቃድ ማመልከቻ ቅጽ በሚያስገቡበት ጊዜ በተመሳሳይ ጊዜ ለሥራ ስምሪት ፈቃድ ማመልከት ይችላሉ። በአሁኑ ጊዜ ለመጀመሪያው ሥራ ፈቃድ የማመልከቻ ክፍያ 410 ዶላር ነው።

የደህንነት ጥበቃ ስታተስ(TPS) የማስኬጃ ጊዜ?

አሁንም ለኢትዮጵያ TPS የተወሰነ የሂደት ጊዜ የለም፣ ነገር ግን ሌሎቹን ከግምት ውስጥ በማስገባት ሂደቱ ለመጠናቀቅ አምስት ወር ተኩል አካባቢ ይወስዳል።

እንደኛ የህግ ድርጅቶች ማመልከቻዎን እንዲያጠናቅቁ፣ ማስረጃዎችን የሚደግፉ ሰነዶችን እንዲያሰባስቡ ሊያማክሩዎት እና ሁሉንም ሊሆኑ የሚችሉ የኢሚግሬሽን አማራጮችን መገምገም ይችላሉ። በኢትዮጵያ ያለው የአሜሪካ ኤምባሲ ተጨማሪ መረጃ ሊሰጥ ይችላል። የዩኤስ የኢትዮጵያ ኤምባሲ በ (202) 364-1200 ማነጋገር ወይም በዋሽንግተን ዲሲ፣ ሎስ አንጀለስ፣ ሲኤ እና ሴንት ፖል ሚኒሶታ የሚገኘውን የቆንስላ ጽ/ቤቱን መጎብኘት ይችላሉ። USCIS በአስከፊ ሁኔታዎች የተጎዱ ሰዎችን የሚረዱ ሌሎች የኢሚግሬሽን አገልግሎቶችን ይሰጣል። እርዳታ ለመጠየቅ 800-375-5283 ይደውሉ።

ማሳሰብያ፡ ሁሉም የመንግስት አድራሻ መረጃ ለብሎግ አንባቢዎቻችን በትህትና ቀርቧል። ይህ ብሎግ ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ ከታተመበት ቀን ጀምሮ ትክክለኛ ነው ብለን እናስባለን። የእኛ የህግ ኩባንያ ከUS መንግስት ወይም ከማንኛውም መንግስት ጋር ምንም ግንኙነት የሌለው የግል የህግ ኩባንያ ነው።

የአርሊንግተን አካባቢ የዜግነትና የኢሚግሬሽን ጠበቃ

እርስዎም ሆኑ ወይም የቅርብ ዘመድዎ የኢሚግሬሽን ችግር ካለብዎት፤ በስልክ ቁጥር 214- 599 – 0431 ስራ ቦታ ደውለው ቀጠሮ ይያዙ እንዲሁም ድህረ ገጻችን

http://www.cjacksonlaw.com/ በመሄድ ሊያገኙን ይችላሉ

በአማሪኛ፤ በትግርኛና፤ በስፓኒሽ ቛንቛ የሚያነጋግሩ ሰራተኞች አሉን።

የስደተኞች የቤተሰብ ማመልከቻ ቤተሰቦችን ስለማገናኘት

ዘመዶቻቸው ከሃገር ውጭ የሚኖሩ ብዙ የዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ነዋሪዎች ከቤተሰቦቻቸው ጋር በአንድ ላይ መኖር ይፈልጋሉ፡፡ ስደተኞችን በተመለከተ ኮልማን ጃክሰን የግል ኩባንያ ተጋቢዎችን፣ ወንድማማቾችንና እህትማማቾችን፣ ወላጆችን እና ሌላ የቅርብ ዘመዶችን በቤተሰብ የስደተኞች ማመልከቻ አንድ ላይ መኖር እንዲችሉ በማድረግ ያግዛል፡፡ በዳላስ ቴክሳስ በሚገኘው የህግ ክፍላችን ልምድን ባካበቱ የህግ ባለሙያዎቻችንና ሰራተኞች አጠቃላይ፣ ሚስጥራዊ እና ጥንቃቄ የተሞላበት መንገዶችን በመከተል፣ የአመልካች ቤተሰቦችን ሁኔታ በመረዳት፣ ያሉትን አማራጮችንና  እድሎች በዝርዝር በመመልከት ጠቃሚ የሆኑ ምክሮችን በመስጠት እና ጉዳዩን በመከታተል የያዙት አላማ ከግብ እንዲደርስ ያደርጋል፡፡

በቅርብ ዘመድ እና በአማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ እገዛ ስለማድረግ

የቤተሰብ የስደተኝነት ማመልከቻ በቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ወይም በአማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ ሊቀርብ ይችላል፡፡

የቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ

በቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ለማመልከት አመልካች የዩ.ኤስ. ዜግነት ያለው /ያላት  ባለቤት ከሆነ/ች፣ የዩ.ኤስ. ዜግነት ያለው /ያላት ልጅ ወይም የዩ.ኤስ. ዜግነት ያለው /ያላት ልጅ ወላጅ ከሆነ/ች፣ የዩ.ኤስ. ዜግነት ያለው /ያላት ሰው/ሴትዮ ቢያንስ 21 አመት የሞላው/ት ከሆነች በቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ለማመልከት ብቁ ይሆናሉ፡፡ በስደተኞች ህግ መሰረት ልጅ ማለት ያላገባ/ች እና ማመልከቻው በተሞላበት ጊዜ ከ 21 አመት በታች የሆነ/ች ማለት ነው፡፡ በቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ቪዛ ወዲያውኑ ማግኘት ይቻላል ነገር ግን የማመልከቻው ሂደት ብዙ ወራትን ሊወስድ ይችላል፡፡

ሌላ አማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ

ለቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ወይም በእጮኝነት ለማመልከት ብቁ ያልሆኑ የቤተሰብ አባላት በ U.S. ስቴት ዲፓርትመንት በተቀመጠው ሌላ የአማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ ማመልከት ይችላሉ፡፡ አንዳንድ የግሪን ካርድ ያላቸው ሰዎች ዘመዶችም በሌላ አማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ ሊጠይቁ ይችላሉ፡፡ በፍቅረኛዎ ስም በሌላ አማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ የሚጠይቁ ከሆነ የእርስዎ ዘመድ የቪዛ ቁጥር እስከሚገኝ ድረስ ሊጠብቁ ይችላሉ፡፡ እንደ ቅደም ተከተሉ ቪዛው ከመድረሱ በፊት አመታትን ሊወስድ ይችላል፡፡ በመጨረሻም ባለቤትና ህፃናቶች እንደተጠቃሚነታቸው ወደ ሀገር ውስጥ እንዲገቡ ይፈቀድላቸዋል፡፡

ለስደተኝነት አስፈላጊ የሆኑ ህግ ነክ ማብራሪያዎች

ስደትን በተመለከተ መረጃዎችን ሲፈልጉ ወደ ህግ ክፍላችን በመምጣት ያግኙን፡፡ ስለ ራስዎ እና ስለ ቤተሰብዎ ዝርዝር መረጃዎችን በመጠየቅና የተገኙትንም መረጃዎችን በመተንተን የእርስዎን የግል ሁኔታንና ህግን መሰረት ያደረገ ተገቢ የሆነ ማመልከቻ እናዘጋጃለን፡፡ በቅርብ ዘመድ ማመልከቻ ወይም በሌላ አማራጭ የዘመድ ማመልከቻ ለማመልከት ለእርሰዎ ተመራጭ ካልሆነ በሌሎች አማራጮች የስደተኝነት ጥያቄ በባለቤት ወይም  በአስጠጊ በተፈፀመ ወንጀል ወይም የቤት ውስጥ ጥቃትን ጨምሮ በእነዚህ ሁኔታዎች ላይ ልንረዳዎት እንችላለን፡፡

 

214-599-0431 ቀጠሮ ለማስያዝ በመደወል ወይም በዌብሳይት በቀጥታ ያግኙን፡፡

EB-3 Visa For Skilled Workers, Unskilled Workers and Professional Workers

By:  Coleman Jackson, Attorney
Date:  October 11, 2022

EB-3 Visa For Skilled Workers, Unskilled Workers and Professional Workers

ELEGIBILITY

SKILLED WORKERS

PROFESSIONALS

UNSKILLED WORKERS

 Worker must have 2 years of job experience or training Worker must have US bachelor’s degree (or its foreign degree) related to the occupation Worker must be able to perform unskilled labor (less than 2 years of training or experience)
 Not temporary Qualified workers are not available in USA  Not temporary
Post-secondary education may be considered as training  Labor certification Qualified workers are not available in USA
Qualified workers are not available in USA  Full-time job offer  Labor certification
 Labor certification Full-time job offer
 Full-time job offer

EB-3 Skilled workers, entry-level professionals and unskilled workers visa

EB-3 Skilled workers, entry-level professionals and unskilled workers visa is the third preference business visa as described in Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  Employers who desire to bring foreign workers to the United States under this category of visa must first obtain a labor certification from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) stating that they cannot find any qualified, willing and able U.S. citizens or green card holders to do the job.    The second step an employer must take is to file Form I-140 with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) if the labor certification is approved.  Employers bringing in professional nurses and physical therapist are exempt from obtaining DOL labor certification.

EB-3 visa at the counselor’s office

Finally, the third step a sponsoring employer must take: Upon approval of the preliminary petition by USCIS, the employer must notify the intending worker to apply for an EB-3 visa at the counselor’s office or, in the event the intended worker is already lawfully inside the United States and is eligible to adjust status, the worker must file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident of the United States.  The EB-3 visa is a permanent visa and can ultimately lead to naturalization.

Step by Step to EB-3 Skilled Worker, Professional and Unskilled Worker’s Visa

OBTAIN THE PERMANENT LABOR CERTIFICATION

Step 1.  OBTAIN THE PERMANENT LABOR CERTIFICATION:

This certification allows the employer to hire a foreign worker to work permanently in the United States. The Department of Labor must certify to USCIS that there are not sufficient U.S. workers able, willing, qualified and available to accept the job opportunity in the area of intended employment and that employment of the foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

  • APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATION is filed with the U.S. Department of Labor on – ETA Form 9089
  • Approval validity is 180 days
  • Denied certification means You are done. You cannot lawfully hire the worker(s).

Exception to DOL Labor Certification:

SCHEDULE A OCCUPATIONS (DOL has pre-certified the following occupations, which means that the certification form is sent to USCIS rather than to DOL.)

  • Group I – physical therapists and professional nurses; and
  • Group II – immigrants of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts, including college and university teachers, and immigrants of exceptional ability in the performing arts.

FILE A PRELIIMINARY PETITION FOR PERMANENT FOREIGN WORKER WITH USCIS

Step 2. FILE A PRELIIMINARY PETITION FOR PERMANENT FOREIGN WORKER WITH USCIS:

Employer Due Diligence:  Obtain competent counsel, if you have not already done so since legal matters are rarely as simple as they may seem. This blog is written in simple terms to attempt to communicate to a broad audience.

  • Read the instructions for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers;
  • Obtain an approved Application for Permanent Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), if required for the specific visa category;
  • Complete and sign Form I-140;
  • Pay the filing fee, if applicable;
  • Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation; and

File all appropriate forms and evidence with the appropriate office of USCIS.  Currently, the regular USCIS filing fee for Form I-140 is $700 and the current premium processing fee is $2,500.

EB-3 CATEGORY AND PROCESSING TIMES

Step 3. WAIT PATIENTLY FOR PROCESSING:

CATEGORY AND PROCESSING TIMES

CATEGORY AND PROCESSING TIMES
CATEGORY NEBRASKA TEXAS
Schedule A Nurses 14 months 14 months
Skilled Worker (E31) 17 months 17.5 months
Professional Workers (E32) 17 months 17.5 months
Unskilled Worker or Other Worker (EW3) 12.5 months 17 months

Note:  USCIS processing times varies and may be more or less than these processing times for the EB-3 Visa currently.  There are many factors that could impact processing times and therefore work force and company overall human resource planning is required.

Finally, EB-3 workers may separately file petitions for their spouse and children who are under 21 years of age and unmarried.  Their children can enroll in American schools and their spouse can apply for a work permit.

The main thing to see here is that although the EB-3 skilled worker, professional and unskilled worker’s visa may take awhile to get, it is a clear path to see opportunities for hardworking foreign workers ranging from those working in the professions to those with some skills to those working on jobs that require little to know formal schooling and training at all.  All can begin again and make new lives in the United States since this visa leads to permanent residency.

 

This law blog is written by the Taxation | Litigation | Immigration Law Firm of Coleman Jackson, P.C. for educational purposes; it does not create an attorney-client relationship between this law firm and its reader.  You should consult with legal counsel in your geographical area with respect to any legal issues impacting you, your family or business.

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Taxation, Litigation, Immigration Law Firm | English (214) 599-0431 | Spanish (214) 599-0432 | Portuguese (214) 272-3100

Immigration Matters You Ought to Know About: USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test | LEGAL THOUGHTS

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Transcript of Legal Thoughts Podcast
Published March 5, 2021.

USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test

Legal Thoughts is a podcast presentation by Coleman Jackson, P.C., a law firm based in Dallas, Texas serving individuals, businesses, and agencies from around the world in taxation, litigation and immigration legal matters.

This particular episode of Legal Thoughts is a podcast where the Attorney, Coleman Jackson is being interviewed by Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant of Coleman Jackson, P.C.   The topic of discussion is “Immigration Matters You Ought to Know About: USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test”.  You can listen to this podcast by clicking here:

You can also listen to this episode and subscribe to Coleman Jackson, P.C.’s Legal Thoughts podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Cashbox or wherever you may listen to your podcast.

TRANSCRIPT:

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson
Legal Thoughts
COLEMAN JACKSON, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson

Welcome to Immigration Thoughts

  • My name is Coleman Jackson, and I am an attorney at Coleman Jackson, P.C., a taxation, litigation, and immigration law firm based in Dallas, Texas.
  • Our topic for today is: Immigration Matters You Ought to Know About: USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test. Other members of Coleman Jackson, P.C. are Yulissa Molina, Tax Legal Assistant; Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant; and Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate.
  • On this “Legal Thoughts” podcast our immigration legal assistant, Reyna Munoz, will be asking the questions and I will be providing the answers to the questions on this very important immigration topic: Immigration Matters You Ought to Know About: USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test.

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

Question 1:

Good morning Attorney, as you know we will be discussing a very important topic this week to keep our listeners informed on Immigration Matters that they ought to know about. Our topic of interest is the new United States Citizenship Test that has been announced by USCIS. Can you tell me what this is about?

Attorney Answers Question 1:

  • Good morning Reyna.
  • On February 22, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will go back to the 2008 version of the naturalization test. This will begin on March 1, 2021.

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

Question 2:

Attorney, why did USCIS decide to revert to the 2008 U.S. Citizenship test?

Attorney Answers Question 2:

  • Well Reyna, this is due to an executive order that the Biden Administration released on February 02, 2021 titled “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems.” USCIS determined that the revised naturalization civics test that was implemented on December 1, 2020 may inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process. Reverting back to the 2008 civics test will eliminate barriers and make the process more accessible to all eligible individuals.

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

  • Wow attorney, it’s good to see that these barriers will be eliminated by reverting back to the 2008 naturalization civics test!

Question 3:

Who can take this test, attorney?

Attorney Answers Question 3:

  • Reyna, the civics test is given to applicants that are applying for United States Citizenship, it is also a requirement for naturalizing.

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

  • This test is incredibly important then, for those who wish to become naturalized US Citizens!

Question 4:

What sort of topics does the test contain?

Attorney Answers Question 4:

  • That’s a good question, Reyna!
  • The people taking the test must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, principles, and form of government of the United States.

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

Question 5:

Attorney, does USCIS provide any study guides or any assistance in helping applicants study for the test??

Attorney Answers Question 5:

  • Yes, test items and study guides can be found on the Citizenship Resource Center on WWW.USCIS.GOV/CITIZENSHIP

Interviewer:  Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant

  • Thank you for sharing this helpful website!

Question 6:

Attorney, you’ve answered a lot of important questions! My final question is, what about the people that have been studying for the 2020 test? How will they be affected by this new order?

Attorney Answers Question 6:

  • Good question, Reyna
  • Those that filed their application for naturalization on or after December 1, 2020 and before March 1, 2021 will be given the option by USCIS to take either the 2020 civics test or the 2008 civics test. There will also be a transition period where both tests are being offered. On April 19, 2021, the 2020 test will be phased out for those taking the test for the first time and those applicants that are filing on or after March 1, 2021 will take the 2008 civics test.
  • Reyna, I hope this answered your question. Do you have any more questions?

Reyna Munoz’s Concluding Remarks:

  • That answered my question perfectly! Those are all my questions for now, Attorney, thank you! This information is incredibly helpful for those that are going to take the United States Citizenship test!
  • Our listeners who want to hear more podcast like this one should subscribe to our Legal Thoughts Podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify or wherever they listen to their podcast. Everybody take care!  Follow us for more taxation, litigation and immigration Legal Thoughts from Coleman Jackson, P.C., which is located right here in Dallas, Texas at 6060 North Central Expressway, Suite 620 Dallas, Texas 75206.
  • English callers: 214-599-0431 | Spanish callers:  214-599-0432. Portuguese callers:  214-272-3100.

 Attorney’s Concluding Remarks:

THIS IS THE END OF “LEGAL THOUGHTS” FOR NOW

  • Thanks for giving us the opportunity to inform you about “Immigration Matters You Ought to Know About: USCIS Reverting back to 2008 US Citizenship Test.” If you want to see or hear more taxation, litigation and immigration LEGAL THOUGHTS from Coleman Jackson, P.C. Stay tuned! We are here in Dallas, Texas and want to inform, educate and encourage our communities on topics dealing with taxation, litigation and immigration.  Until next time, take care.

Warning: Two things that all Immigrants and Their Sponsors Ought to Know

Potential USCIS Fee Increases are likely on the Horizons

USCIS Affidavit of Support Policy & Practice Changes may be coming

October 12, 2020
By:  Coleman Jackson, Attorney

Potential USCIS Fee Increases are likely on the Horizons

Potential USCIS Fee Increases are likely on the Horizons:

USCIS FILING FEES WERE SET TO INCREASE ON OCTOBER 2, 2020.  Judge Jeffrey White of the United States District Court in the Northern District of California temporarily blocked the USCIS scheduled fee increases from taking place nationwide on September 30, 2020. The fees were set to increase by up to 60% on some immigration petitions. All who think they might want to file immigration petitions and applications for family members or employees should consider acting at once because temporary injunctions by courts do not necessarily mean that the USCIS will not prevail in the end; and if so, the analysis of the fee increases below(for a select group of type of petitions) could be the potential USCIS fee increases scheduled below could be  required to file the following immigration petitions and applications:

Form Number Form Title

Current Fee

Potential New Fee
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

$535

$560
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence

$1,140

$1,130*
I-864 Affidavit of Support

$0

$0
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

 

$410

$550
I-131/I-131A Application for Travel Document

$575

$590
Biometrics Biometrics fee

$85

$85
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Paper Filing)

$455

$415
I-102 Application for Replacement/ Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure

$445

$485
I-129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

$460

$695
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé

$535

$510
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

$700

$555
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. after Deportation or Removal  

$930

 

$1,050

I-360 Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant

$435

$1,130
I-526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur

$3,675

$4,010
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

$370

$390
I-600/600a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition

$775

$805
I-800/800A Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative/ Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from Convention Country  

$775

 

$805

I-601 Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability

$930

$1,010
I-601A Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

$630

$960
I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility

$715

$765
I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision

$890

$715
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 254A of the INA)  

$1,670

 

$1,615

I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

$595

$760
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition

$465

$495
I-829

 

Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions

$3,750

$3,900
I-924 Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program

$17,795

$17,795
I-924A Annual Certification of Regional Center

$3,035

$4,465
I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Non-immigrant

$230

$1,485
N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings

$700

$1,735
N-400 Application for Naturalization

$640

 

$1,160

 

N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalizing Purposes

$355

$1,585
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Documents

$555

$535
N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship/Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under INA Section 322

$1,170

$1,00

* Biometric Fee is included in the I-485 application

 

USCIS Affidavit of Support Policy & Practice Changes may be Coming:

USCIS Affidavit of Support Policy & Practice Changes may be coming

DHS has also proposed a new rule regarding the Affidavit of Support Process. This update requires U.S. Citizen sponsors, nationals, or lawful permanent residents who sponsor an immigrant to provide credit reports and credit scores, certified copies of income tax returns for the last three years, and bank account information to effectively demonstrate they can maintain the required income.

Petitioning sponsors that have received public benefits within the last 26 months of submitting a Form I-864 must be backed by a joint sponsor who has received no such public benefits during that time.

Follow our law firm’s blogs and listen to our Legal Thoughts Podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify or where ever you listen to your podcast for updates concerning these topics and other taxation, litigation and immigration information you can use!

This law blog is written by the Taxation | Litigation | Immigration Law Firmof Coleman Jackson, P.C. for educational purposes; it does not create an attorney-client relationship between this law firm and its reader.  You should consult with legal counsel in your geographical area with respect to any legal issues impacting you, your family or business.

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Taxation, Litigation, Immigration Law Firm | English (214) 599-0431 | Spanish (214) 599-0432 | Portuguese (214) 272-3100

Check Your ITIN because it could be Expired or Expiring Soon

By: Coleman Jackson, Attorney, CPA
November 21, 2016

Check Your ITIN because it could be Expired or Expiring Soon

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, otherwise known as (ITIN) allows taxpayers to meet their tax filing obligations who cannot obtain a Social Security Number.  An ITIN is typically used by nonresident foreigners , undocumented resident foreigners, dependents and spouses of U.S. Citizens and resident foreigners who cannot get a social security number, and nonresident students, professors or researchers filing a U.S. federal tax return or claiming an exception, and anyone else who has a tax reporting obligation but cannot obtain a social security number.  The ITIN, like a social security number, is a nine digit code.  The ITIN begins with the number 9 and has fourth and fifth digits ranging from 50-65, 70-88, 90-92, and 94-99.   These are the middle digits of the ITIN.   The ITIN does not grant the holder any legal rights to reside in the United States.  The ITIN does not grant the holder any right to work in the United States.  The ITIN is issued by the United States Treasury (IRS).  The ITIN is only used for tax reporting purposes.

ITIN holders beware!  Section 203 of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), which became law on December 18, 2015 made critical changes to U.S. Tax Law, 26 U.S.C. Section 6109 as it relates to the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Program.  Because of these PATH Act changes, every ITIN holder must check their ITIN to determine whether it is expired or expiring soon.  The PATH Act made major changes in the ITIN Program which requires holders of ITINs to renew their ITIN.

Holders of unused ITINs must renew them or they will expire.  Any ITIN not used on a federal tax return for the last three (3) years.  Count back from the current year to the previous three tax reporting periods.  If it has been three years since the ITIN was used; it expires on January 1, 2017.  That means that if you hold an ITIN that was not used in 2015, 2014 or 2013; your ITIN is no longer valid and cannot be used when you file your 2016 federal tax return; unless, you timely renew it.  The IRS began accepting ITIN renewal applications on October 1, 2016 for taxpayers affected by the PATH Act.

ITINs issued before 2013 began expiring in 2016 on a rolling basis.  The mandatory renewal period for these ITINs is on what the IRS is calling a rolling basis.  The key numbers that triggers the expiration and mandatory renewal schedule as to when the pre-2013 ITIN renewal period began are the middle two digits of the ITIN.  For example, beginning October 1, 2016, ITIN holders with middle digits of 78 and 79 began renewing their ITIN. Every ITIN holder must examine their ITIN and the ITIN of family members (household members) to determine when their ITIN expires or expired based on the IRS rolling renewal schedule.

Holders of expired ITINs could have difficulty complying with U.S. tax laws.  They could be prohibited from claiming exemptions and dependents and so forth with expired ITINs.  Moreover, failure to timely file required federal tax returns carry serious consequences under U.S. tax laws, such as, civil negligence penalties, fraud penalties and potential criminal prosecution.  There could also be serious consequences under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for failure to comply with U.S. federal tax laws (Internal Revenue Code).  Federal tax law abuse violates the terms of immigrant visas under the INA in certain circumstances.   ITIN holders must check their ITIN because the ITIN could be expired or expiring soon.

This law blog is written by the Taxation | Litigation | Immigration Law Firm of Coleman Jackson, P.C. for educational purposes; it does not create an attorney-client relationship between this law firm and its reader.  You should consult with legal counsel in your geographical area with respect to any legal issues impacting you, your family or business.

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Taxation, Litigation, Immigration Law Firm | English (214) 599-0431 | Spanish (214) 599-0432

U.S. Immigration Petition Prices Set to Increase this December

October 27, 2016
By:  Coleman Jackson, Attorney

U.S. Immigration Petition Prices Set to Increase this December 2016

Have everybody heard?  It is official.  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fees are set to increase effective December 23, 2016.  Applications and immigration petitions postmarked or filed on or after December 23, 2016, must include the new fees or be rejected by USCIS.  Some examples of the fee increase effect on some of the more popular applications and petitions are as follows:

Form Number

Form Title

Fee-Effective 12-23-2016

Current Fee

I-90

Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

$455

$365

I-102

Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document

455

330

I-129/129CW

Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

460

325

I-129F

Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

535

340

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

535

420

I-131 /I-131A

Application for Travel Document

575

360

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

700

580

I-212

Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal

903

585

I-360

Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant

435

405

I-485

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

1,140

985

I-485

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (certain applicants under the age of 14 years)

750

635

I-526

Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur

3,675

1,500

I-539

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

370

290

I-600/600A

Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative /Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition

775

720

I-800/800A

Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative /Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country

775

720

I-601

Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability

930

585

I-601A

Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

630

585

I-690

Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility

715

200

I-694

Notice of Appeal of Decision

890

755

I-698

Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)

1,670

1,020

I-751

Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

595

505

I-765

Application for Employment Authorization

410

380

I-824

Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition

465

405

I-829

Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions

3,750

3,750

I-924

Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program

17,795

6,230

I-924A

Annual Certification of Regional Center

3,035

0

I-929

Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant

230

215

N-336

Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings

640

595

N-400

Application for Naturalization

640

595

N-470

Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes

355

330

N-565

Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document

555

345

N-600/N-600K

Application for Certification of Citizenship/Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under INA Section 322

1,170

600/550

USCIS Immigrant Fee

220

165

Biometric Fee

85

85

The table of fees above does not list the names or filling fees for all immigrant petitions and applications.  Filing fee increases take effect on or after December 23, 2016.  New submissions must be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) with the payment associated fees attached.

This law blog is written by the Taxation | Litigation | Immigration Law Firm of Coleman Jackson, P.C. for educational purposes; it does not create an attorney-client relationship between this law firm and its reader.  You should consult with legal counsel in your geographical area with respect to any legal issues impacting you, your family or business.

Noncitizens In Danger of Deportation | Federal, State & Local Tax Violations Could Be Deportable Offenses!

By:  Coleman Jackson, Esq.

Coleman Jackson, PC | 6060 North Central Expressway, Suite 443 | Dallas, Texas 75206 | www.cjacksonlaw.com | 214-599-0431
June 30, 2014

Tax Violations Could Be Deportable Offenses

Noncitizens of the U.S.A.  who commit certain federal tax crimes are subject to deportation as aliens who have been convicted of an aggravated felony. The U.S. Supreme Court held in Akio Kawashima v Holder, 132 S.Ct. 1166 (2012) that violations of 26 U.S.C. §§ 7206(1) and (2) are crimes involving fraud or deceit under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a) (43) (M) (i) and therefore aggravated felonies as that term is defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq., when the loss to the Government exceeds $10,000.  Akio Kawashima was a lawful permanent resident, (“LPR”), or Green Card holder.  The Kawashima case involved fraudulent federal tax returns; but, arguably, the reasoning could apply to a loss of tax revenues resulting from other taxable events and types of transactions (such as, failing to file timely returns, failing to timely collect and turn-over employment taxes, and etc.),  if the loss to the government exceeds $10,000.

What if a Green Card Holder fails to timely file FBAR and FATCA disclosures?  Could delinquent, missing, or silently filed FBAR and FATCA reports subject a noncitizen to mandatory deportation?

If the government asserts and proves tax evasion, the LPR or other noncitizen is for sure deportable because tax evasion is a deportable offense under 8 U.S. C. § 1101(a) (43) (M) (ii).  But even if the government does not assert or prove tax evasion, the noncitizen (LPR) could still be deportable under the Kawashima holding if the loss to the government exceeds $10,000.

What about the LPR who files false sales & use tax reports at the State and local levels of government?  Are these noncitizens deportable under the reasoning in Kawashima?

Maybe, depending upon how the state tax code is written, Kawashima, specifically applies to losses under the Internal Revenue Code; but arguably noncitizens who are convicted of any federal, state or local tax fraud or deceit resulting in a loss to the government in excess of $10,000 are subject to virtual automatic deportation.

This blog was written for educational purposes only and creates no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the tax & immigration law firm of Coleman Jackson, P.C.

Coleman Jackson, PC
Immigration & Tax Law Firm
6060 North Central Expressway
Suite 443
Dallas, Texas 75206
Law Firm Sitewww.cjacksonlaw.com
Main Line:   214-599-0431 ||| Spanish Line:  214-599-0432