Rachel Huan Kao's Archived Articles

Immigration News
January 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 December 1, 2003. This reflects shifting emphasis on case lines in the new fiscal year starting October 1. 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.
Case type Date pending initial adjudication
I-129 Petition (H-1B) September 13, 2003
I-129 Petition (Fiance/e) July 14, 2003
I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative June 4, 2002**
I-130 Petition (other) April 4, 2001* *
I-131 Advance Parole October 13, 2003
I-131 Reentry Permit August 1, 2002
I-140 Immigrant Worker (skilled worker) March 16, 2003
I-485 Adjustment of Status (employment-based) August 27, 2001
I-539 Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status June – November 2003
I-751 Remove Conditions on Immigrant Status December 12, 2002**
I-765 Employment Authorization (adjustment) October 13, 2003
I-824 Action on Approved Applications, petitions July 6, 2003**

Chicago District Office
Processing times for one-stop applications (I-130/I-485 immediate relative) are taking 720 days or more. 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, and is in effect until January 1, 2004. 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 January 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) December 22, 1989 or before
2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) January 1, 1999 or before
2B (unmarried sons, daughters of PR) May 8, 1995 or before
3 (married sons, daughters of US citizens) September 1, 1989 or before
4 (brothers, sisters of adult US citizens) December 22, 1981 or before
Employment-based Immigration
All preference categories are current as of January 2004.

National Benefits Center (formerly Missouri Service Center)
Processing Dates for cases as of December 8, 2003.
I-130 for Immediate Relatives of USC January 18, 2002
I-131 for advance paole July 21, 2003
I-485 for family-based adjustment February 15, 2002
I-485 or LIFE Act May 15, 2003
I-601 for waiver of excludability October 27, 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 December 13, 2003.
Regular Permanent August 2003
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) October 2003
H-2A November 2003
H-2B November 2003

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 December 13, 2003.
Regular Permanent April 2001
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) August 2003
H-2B November 2003

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! And thanks to everyone who came out on November 22, 2003 for the free seminar offered by Chinese American Bar Association and Chinese Mutual Aid Association.

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