Rachel Huan Kao's Archived Articles

Immigration News
April 2004, page 2
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Priority dates and processing times
Nebraska Service Center
Priority dates for some common petitions and applications filed through the Nebraska Service Center, as of March 22, 2004. Please note that some categories have moved very slowly for the last several months, advancing only days in that time, and others have regressed. Dates marked with an asterisk * reflect categories that have retrogressed since last month. Dates marked with two asterisks ** reflect categories that have experienced no change since last month. Many categories have not progressed for several months.
Case type Date pending initial adjudication
I-129 Petition (H-1B) extension of stay in US February 10, 2004
I-129 Petition (H-1B) other February 10, 2004
I-129 Petition (Fiance/e) November 20, 2003
I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative August 5, 2002
I-130 Petition (other) April 13-14, 2001
I-131 Advance Parole January 20, 2004
I-131 Reentry Permit November 7, 2002
I-140 Immigrant Worker (skilled worker) June 17, 2003
I-140 Immigrant Worker (unskilled worker) August 22, 2003
I-140 Immigrant Worker (Sched. A nurses) February 9, 2004
I-485 Adjustment of Status (employment-based) September 30, 2001**
I-539 Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status October 2003 – February 2004
I-751 Remove Conditions on Immigrant Status December 12, 2002**
I-765 Employment Authorization (adjustment) January 20, 2004
I-824 Action on Approved Applications, petitions October 27, 2003

Chicago District Office
Processing times for one-stop applications (I-130/I-485 immediate relative) are taking 720 days or more. Processing times for naturalization applications are taking 180 days. Applicants who have already submitted their Form I-693, Medical Examinations endorsed by a designated civil surgeon do not need to get another medical examination if the Form I-693 is pending beyond the one year validity. BCIS has instituted a policy of extending the validity of the medical examination until the adjustment of status can be adjudicated. This policy applies to individuals who do not have a Class A or B medical condition. Processing times for N-400 naturalization applications are taking 180 days. Some applications are being held up because of delays in the FBI fingerprint replies. Some cases scheduled for oathtaking in December 2002 remain to be cleared for rescheduling. Naturalization says they continue to work on the approximately 300 cases in this situation. Some cases have been rescheduled, and Naturalization asserts their officers check every day for cases that can be rescheduled.

National Visa Center
Priority dates for Family-based and Employment-based Immigration for nationals of the Philippines for April 2004. If anyone is eligible for these priority dates, please try to apply as soon as possible as priority dates are subject to regressing as well as advancement. Dates marked with an asterisk “*” have retrogressed from last month. Dates marked with two asterisks ** reflect categories that have experienced no change since last month.
Family-based Immigration
Preference category Priority date
1 (unmarried sons, daughters of US citizens) July 15, 1990 or before
2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) July 15, 1999 or before
2B (unmarried sons, daughters of PR) May 8, 1995 or before**
3 (married sons, daughters of US citizens) March 1, 1990 or before
4 (brothers, sisters of adult US citizens) March 15, 1982 or before
Employment-based Immigration
All preference categories are current as of April 2004.

National Benefits Center (formerly Missouri Service Center)
Processing Dates for cases as of March 22, 2004.
I-130 for Immediate Relatives of USC November 1, 2001**
I-131 for advance parole February 11, 2004
I-765 for employment authorization November 30, 2003

Department of Labor – Region V processing times
Processing times for Region V (includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska) as measured from the dates the cases are transferred from the individual state employment security agencies. Information was updated March 12, 2004.
Regular Permanent August 2002
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) November 2003
H-2A February 2004
H-2B February 2004

Illinois Department of Employment Security processing times
Processing times for Illinois cases as measured from the dates of receipt. Upon completion, cases are transferred from the state level to the regional level. Information was updated March 12, 2004. An officer at the IDES indicated that receipts are no longer being issued for labor certification applications since the receipts take them so long to issue. However, as of early February attorneys have started to receive receipts for cases filed February 2004. On March 15, 2004 IDES Alien Certification Unit moved to 33 South State St., Chicago, IL, 60603, 8th floor. On March 1, 2004 Alien Certification boxed up all of their files in preparation for their move. It is unclear if they have had an opportunity to unpack their files as of yet.
Regular Permanent April 2001
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) September 2003
H-2B February 2004

If you have questions about the above material, comments, or would like to see other features, please contact my office at 847-768-9998 or by email at rhk@rachelkao.com Thanks!

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