According to USCIS, as of January 21, 62,800 H-1B cap-subject petitions have been receipted and 20,000 H-1B petitions from aliens who have an advanced degree have been receipted. So if you want to change your status to H-1B in this fiscal year, you need to act fast!
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
1/24/2011
1/20/2011
February 2011 Visa Bulletin 2011年2月的簽證公報
According to the February 2011 Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for F1, F2A, and F2B applicants that were born outside of Mainland China, Dominican Republic, India, Mexico, and the Philippines are the same as dates released in January 2011. Priority dates for F3 and F4 applicants born outside of those five countries retrogress for one year, i.e., Jan 1, 2001 and Jan 1, 2000 respectively.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
根據2011年2月的簽證公報，在中國大陸、多明尼加共和國、印度、墨西哥和菲律賓以外出生的F1、 F2A及F2B移民簽證申請人的優先日期皆停留在2011年1月的簽證公報所訂出的日期，沒有變動。F3和F4則倒後了一年，即2001年1月1日和2000年1月1日。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
根據2011年2月的簽證公報，在中國大陸、多明尼加共和國、印度、墨西哥和菲律賓以外出生的F1、 F2A及F2B移民簽證申請人的優先日期皆停留在2011年1月的簽證公報所訂出的日期，沒有變動。F3和F4則倒後了一年，即2001年1月1日和2000年1月1日。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
1/07/2011
3 Common Misconceptions about Immigration Law 移民法3個常見的問題
The following are the 3 most common problems I have come across when I deal with clients and prospective clients in 2010:
1. The Burden of Proof
When a foreign national files a petition with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) or with the State Department, the applicant usually bears the burden of proof to show he/she meets the eligibility for a particular visa. If the applicant fails to provide sufficient evidence to show that he/she meets the requirements, the application will likely be denied. Because in many situations a denial is not reviewable, it is better to provide sufficient evidence at the first place to improve the chance of approval and minimize the chance of denial.
2. Minor Children and Immigration
Many people think that once a parent's immigrant visa petition is approved, the minor child can follow the parent to move to the U.S. Whether this is true depends on the immigrant visa category of the parent. For instance, if an applicant is a parent of a U.S. citizen who is over 21 years old, the applicant may not bring her minor children with her when she immigrates to the U.S.. In contrast, if an applicant is a sibling of a U.S. citizen, the applicant may bring her spouse and her minor children with her to the U.S. The difference is this: in the former case, the parent is an immediate relative and that category is not subject to a numerical quota; in the latter case, the parent is not an immediate relative and that category is subject to a numerical quota. Thus, foreign nationals who have minor children should plan carefully when they apply for an immigrant visa.
3. Effect of Marriage
Because a spouse of a U.S. citizen is considered as an immediate relative and is not subject to an annual numerical quota, many U.S. citizens think that the process of applying for a spouse is a piece of cake. However, a few important factors have to be considered. First and foremost is the venue of the marriage. If the marriage takes place outside the U.S., there is a presumption that the spouse of a U.S. citizen has the intent to immigrate and live in the United States. Therefore, the spouse may not be granted a NIV to come to the U.S. Even if a NIV is issued, CIS may think that the spouse had lied about his/her original intent when he/she applied for a NIV. Therefore, one should plan carefully before getting married.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
下列是我在2010年時與客人諮詢時常見的3個問題：
1. 舉證的責任
當一個外國人提出移民申請，申請人通常有提供證據的責任，證明他或她符合某一類簽證的資格。 如果申請人未能提供充分的證據，他或她的申請將被拒絕。 由於在許多情況下被拒絕的申請不能覆核，因此在申請的時候提供充分的證據能將被拒簽的機會減少。
2. 未成年兒童移民
許多人認為在父母移民簽證申請獲得批准後，未成年兒童可以順利成章跟隨父母移民到美國。 可是，父母的移民簽證類別對未成年兒童可否跟隨來美有決定性的影響。 例如，如果申請人是21歲美國公民的父母，當她移居到美國時，她未成年的孩子將無法同時獲得移民簽證來美。 相反，如果申請人是美國公民的兄弟姐妹，申請人的配偶和她未成年的孩子將會同時獲得移民簽證，可以舉家來美。兩者有何不同呢？在第一個例子中，父母是公民的真屬親人，而該類別是不受配額限制的; 在後一種情況下，父母不是公民的真屬親人，而該類別受配額限制。 因此，有未成年的孩子的外國人在他們申請移民簽證時應該小心計劃。
3. 與公民結婚
由於美國公民的配偶是真屬親人而不受配額限制，許多美國公民以為申請配偶的程序非常容易。 然而，申請人必須考慮一些重要的因素。 首要是婚禮的地點。 如果婚禮在美國境外舉行，移民局將假定美國公民的配偶有移居到美國的意圖，因此可能拒絕簽發非移民簽證給公民的配偶來美。即使獲簽發非移民簽證，移民局也許會認為配偶在申請非移民簽證時說謊或故意隱瞞他/她當初的意圖。 所以，美國公民應該在結婚之前小心地計劃。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
1. The Burden of Proof
When a foreign national files a petition with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) or with the State Department, the applicant usually bears the burden of proof to show he/she meets the eligibility for a particular visa. If the applicant fails to provide sufficient evidence to show that he/she meets the requirements, the application will likely be denied. Because in many situations a denial is not reviewable, it is better to provide sufficient evidence at the first place to improve the chance of approval and minimize the chance of denial.
2. Minor Children and Immigration
Many people think that once a parent's immigrant visa petition is approved, the minor child can follow the parent to move to the U.S. Whether this is true depends on the immigrant visa category of the parent. For instance, if an applicant is a parent of a U.S. citizen who is over 21 years old, the applicant may not bring her minor children with her when she immigrates to the U.S.. In contrast, if an applicant is a sibling of a U.S. citizen, the applicant may bring her spouse and her minor children with her to the U.S. The difference is this: in the former case, the parent is an immediate relative and that category is not subject to a numerical quota; in the latter case, the parent is not an immediate relative and that category is subject to a numerical quota. Thus, foreign nationals who have minor children should plan carefully when they apply for an immigrant visa.
3. Effect of Marriage
Because a spouse of a U.S. citizen is considered as an immediate relative and is not subject to an annual numerical quota, many U.S. citizens think that the process of applying for a spouse is a piece of cake. However, a few important factors have to be considered. First and foremost is the venue of the marriage. If the marriage takes place outside the U.S., there is a presumption that the spouse of a U.S. citizen has the intent to immigrate and live in the United States. Therefore, the spouse may not be granted a NIV to come to the U.S. Even if a NIV is issued, CIS may think that the spouse had lied about his/her original intent when he/she applied for a NIV. Therefore, one should plan carefully before getting married.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
下列是我在2010年時與客人諮詢時常見的3個問題：
1. 舉證的責任
當一個外國人提出移民申請，申請人通常有提供證據的責任，證明他或她符合某一類簽證的資格。 如果申請人未能提供充分的證據，他或她的申請將被拒絕。 由於在許多情況下被拒絕的申請不能覆核，因此在申請的時候提供充分的證據能將被拒簽的機會減少。
2. 未成年兒童移民
許多人認為在父母移民簽證申請獲得批准後，未成年兒童可以順利成章跟隨父母移民到美國。 可是，父母的移民簽證類別對未成年兒童可否跟隨來美有決定性的影響。 例如，如果申請人是21歲美國公民的父母，當她移居到美國時，她未成年的孩子將無法同時獲得移民簽證來美。 相反，如果申請人是美國公民的兄弟姐妹，申請人的配偶和她未成年的孩子將會同時獲得移民簽證，可以舉家來美。兩者有何不同呢？在第一個例子中，父母是公民的真屬親人，而該類別是不受配額限制的; 在後一種情況下，父母不是公民的真屬親人，而該類別受配額限制。 因此，有未成年的孩子的外國人在他們申請移民簽證時應該小心計劃。
3. 與公民結婚
由於美國公民的配偶是真屬親人而不受配額限制，許多美國公民以為申請配偶的程序非常容易。 然而，申請人必須考慮一些重要的因素。 首要是婚禮的地點。 如果婚禮在美國境外舉行，移民局將假定美國公民的配偶有移居到美國的意圖，因此可能拒絕簽發非移民簽證給公民的配偶來美。即使獲簽發非移民簽證，移民局也許會認為配偶在申請非移民簽證時說謊或故意隱瞞他/她當初的意圖。 所以，美國公民應該在結婚之前小心地計劃。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/14/2010
January 2011 Visa Bulletin 2011年1月簽證公報
In the past few months, the waiting time for immigrant visa applicants under the 2A category (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) had decreased significantly. In December 2010, applicants under the 2A category who have a priority date on or before August 1, 2010 might apply for adjustment of status or consular processing through the National Visa Center (NVC).
However, the waiting time for applicants under 2A will be 2-3 years again after the State Department issued the Visa Bulletin for January 2011 last week. The priority date for applicants under 2A is moved back to January 1, 2008 because the demand for IV under the categpry has exceeded the visa number available. Therefore, if your priority date is between January 2008 and August 2010, you should apply for adjustment of status or consualr processing now, or you will be out of luck and have to wait again.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
在過去幾個月，2A類別的移民簽證申請人(永久居民的配偶或未成年的子女)的等待時間比以前大大減少。 在2010年12月，如果2A類別的申請人的優先權日期是2010年8月1日或更早，他們便可以申請調整身份或透過國家簽證中心(NVC)到在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證。
然而，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的等候時間將會回到從前的2年到3年左右。國務院在上星期發布了2011年1月的簽證公報。 因為2A類別的移民簽證需求超出了配額，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的優先權日期被移回到2008年1月1日。 所以，如果您的優先權日期是在2008年1月及2010年8月之間，那您應該在十二月底前申請調整身份或在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證，否則您必須再等待多一些時間。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
However, the waiting time for applicants under 2A will be 2-3 years again after the State Department issued the Visa Bulletin for January 2011 last week. The priority date for applicants under 2A is moved back to January 1, 2008 because the demand for IV under the categpry has exceeded the visa number available. Therefore, if your priority date is between January 2008 and August 2010, you should apply for adjustment of status or consualr processing now, or you will be out of luck and have to wait again.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
在過去幾個月，2A類別的移民簽證申請人(永久居民的配偶或未成年的子女)的等待時間比以前大大減少。 在2010年12月，如果2A類別的申請人的優先權日期是2010年8月1日或更早，他們便可以申請調整身份或透過國家簽證中心(NVC)到在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證。
然而，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的等候時間將會回到從前的2年到3年左右。國務院在上星期發布了2011年1月的簽證公報。 因為2A類別的移民簽證需求超出了配額，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的優先權日期被移回到2008年1月1日。 所以，如果您的優先權日期是在2008年1月及2010年8月之間，那您應該在十二月底前申請調整身份或在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證，否則您必須再等待多一些時間。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/08/2010
The DREAM Act 夢想法案 (2)
According to the Immigration Policy Center, the House will vote on the DREAM Act as well, but it differs from the Senate version in 2 significant ways:
- Instead of granting one ten-year conditional NIV status, the House version will divide the 10 years and grant the beneficiary two 5-year conditional NIV status.
- The House bill requires applicants to pay 2 separate fees for getting the conditional NIV status; the application fee for the first 5 years would be $525 and the second five years would be $2,000.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
眾議院今天晚上亦會對夢想法案進行表決，但是它與參議院版本有2處很大的差別
- 眾議院的版本會給予受益人兩次為期五年的有條件非移民身份，而不是授予一次十年的有條件非移民身份。
-申請人在申請有條件非移民身份的時候需要支付費用：首5年的申請費是$525，而次五年的申請費是$2,000。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
- Instead of granting one ten-year conditional NIV status, the House version will divide the 10 years and grant the beneficiary two 5-year conditional NIV status.
- The House bill requires applicants to pay 2 separate fees for getting the conditional NIV status; the application fee for the first 5 years would be $525 and the second five years would be $2,000.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
眾議院今天晚上亦會對夢想法案進行表決，但是它與參議院版本有2處很大的差別
- 眾議院的版本會給予受益人兩次為期五年的有條件非移民身份，而不是授予一次十年的有條件非移民身份。
-申請人在申請有條件非移民身份的時候需要支付費用：首5年的申請費是$525，而次五年的申請費是$2,000。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/07/2010
The DREAM Act 夢想法案
The DREAM Act is a potential legislation that will provide thousands of illegal children and students a path to citizenship. It will likely be voted on December 8 in the Senate. The key provisions of the DREAM Act include the following:
-10 years of conditional non-immigrant status
- 3 years of permanent residency
- eligible for citizenship after 3 years of permanent residency
To be eligible for the DREAM Act, an undocument child/student has to meet the following requirements:
- the student must be 30 years old or younger when the Act is enacted;
- the student must have entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday;
- the student must have been present in the United States for at least five years immediately before the DREAM Act is enacted;
-the student must have graduated from high school or been admitted to a college;
- the student has not commited a serious felony or three petty offenses;
- the student is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
- the student must not be subject to a deportation order before turning 16; and
- the student cannot be guilty of persecuting others based on the grounds of current U.S. asylum law.
Finally, students who will receive legal status under this legislation is not eligible for government benefits and in-state tuitions.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
在12月8日參議院表決的夢想法案下，某些非法居留的學生可以獲得十年非移民的合法身份，然後可以申請綠卡，再過三年後可申請入藉。
只有符合下資格的學生才可透過夢想法案獲得合法身份：
-年齡上限為30歲以下
-在16歲之前進入美國
-在美國住滿至少五年
-已高中畢業或被大學取錄
-不能犯過一項重罪，或三項輕罪
-不屬於禁止入境或可被驅逐出境的類別
-不可在16歲之前被下令驅逐出境
-不能在過去參與迫害
再者，夢想法案的受益人不能獲得本州學費的優惠或其他社會福利。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
-10 years of conditional non-immigrant status
- 3 years of permanent residency
- eligible for citizenship after 3 years of permanent residency
To be eligible for the DREAM Act, an undocument child/student has to meet the following requirements:
- the student must be 30 years old or younger when the Act is enacted;
- the student must have entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday;
- the student must have been present in the United States for at least five years immediately before the DREAM Act is enacted;
-the student must have graduated from high school or been admitted to a college;
- the student has not commited a serious felony or three petty offenses;
- the student is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
- the student must not be subject to a deportation order before turning 16; and
- the student cannot be guilty of persecuting others based on the grounds of current U.S. asylum law.
Finally, students who will receive legal status under this legislation is not eligible for government benefits and in-state tuitions.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
只有符合下資格的學生才可透過夢想法案獲得合法身份：
-年齡上限為30歲以下
-在16歲之前進入美國
-在美國住滿至少五年
-已高中畢業或被大學取錄
-不能犯過一項重罪，或三項輕罪
-不屬於禁止入境或可被驅逐出境的類別
-不可在16歲之前被下令驅逐出境
-不能在過去參與迫害
再者，夢想法案的受益人不能獲得本州學費的優惠或其他社會福利。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/02/2010
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