Rachel Huan Kao's Archived Articles
Immigration
News
July 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 June 23, 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. Service Center Director Terry Way retired May 28, 2004. Deputy
Director Greg Christian will step in as Acting Director until a permanent
replacement is found.
Case type Date pending initial adjudication
I-129 Petition (H-1B) extension of stay in US April 21, 2004
I-129 Petition (H-1B) other April 28, 2004
I-129 Petition (Fiance/e) February 10, 2004
I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative August 13, 2002
I-130 Petition (other) April 13 – June 22, 2001**
I-131 Advance Parole April 7, 2004
I-131 Reentry Permit April 9, 2003
I-140 Immigrant Worker (skilled worker) May 12, 2004
I-140 Immigrant Worker (unskilled worker) May 24, 2004
I-140 Immigrant Worker (Sched. A nurses) February 10, 2004
I-485 Adjustment of Status (employment-based) January 15, 2002
I-539 Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status March - April 2004
I-751 Remove Conditions on Immigrant Status February 11, 2003
I-765 Employment Authorization (C9 adjustment) April 7, 2004
I-824 Action on Approved Applications, petitions January 13, 2004
Chicago District Office
Priority dates for cases filed with the Chicago District Office, as of
June 16, 2004.
One-stop applications (I-130/I-485 immediate relative) filed on August
10, 2002 or before are being processed currently. 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. N-400 naturalization
applications filed December 12, 2003 and before are being processed currently.
Some applications are being held up because of delays in the FBI fingerprint
replies or IBIS security checks. 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. Interim District Director
Don Monica was replaced by District Director Michael Comfort.
National Visa Center
Priority dates for Family-based and Employment-based Immigration for nationals
of the Philippines for July 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) March 1, 2000 or before
2B (unmarried sons, daughters of PR) June 15, 1995 or before**
3 (married sons, daughters of US citizens) March 1, 1990 or before**
4 (brothers, sisters of adult US citizens) March 22, 1982 or before**
Employment-based Immigration
All preference categories are current as of July 2004.
National Benefits
Center (formerly Missouri Service Center)
Processing Dates for cases as of June 23, 2004.
I-130 for Immediate Relatives of USC November 1, 2001**
I-131 for advance parole April 6, 2004
I-765 for employment authorization January 22, 2004
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 June 9, 2004.
Regular Permanent August 2002
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) December 2003
H-2A May 2004
H-2B May 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 June 9, 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.
Since February, no new receipts have been issued. 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. They have stated that their files
have been unpacked, but since no new receipt have been issued, it is unclear
if cases have been misplaced.
Regular Permanent August 2001
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) November 2003
H-2B May 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!