Rachel Huan Kao's Archived Articles

Immigration News
March 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 February 20, 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 November 11, 2003
I-129 Petition (H-1B) other January 6, 2004
I-129 Petition (Fiance/e) July 24, 2003**
I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative July 17, 2002**
I-130 Petition (other) April 4, 2001* *
I-131 Advance Parole November 25, 2003**
I-131 Reentry Permit September 18, 2002
I-140 Immigrant Worker (skilled worker) May 26, 2003**
I-140 Immigrant Worker (unskilled worker) April 23, 2003
I-485 Adjustment of Status (employment-based) September 30, 2001
I-539 Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status August 2003 – January 2004**
I-751 Remove Conditions on Immigrant Status December 12, 2002**
I-765 Employment Authorization (adjustment) November 25, 2003**
I-824 Action on Approved Applications, petitions September 17, 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 March 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) June 15, 1990 or before
2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) May 15, 1999 or before
2B (unmarried sons, daughters of PR) May 8, 1995 or before**
3 (married sons, daughters of US citizens) February 1, 1990 or before
4 (brothers, sisters of adult US citizens) February 22, 1982 or before
Employment-based Immigration
All preference categories are current as of March 2004.

National Benefits Center (formerly Missouri Service Center)
Processing Dates for cases as of February 20, 2004.
I-130 for Immediate Relatives of USC November 1, 2001*
I-131 for advance parole January 13, 2004
I-765 for employment authorization October 24, 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 February 12, 2004.
Regular Permanent August 2002
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) October 2003
H-2A January 2004
H-2B January 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 February 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 will move to 33 South State St., Chicago, IL, 60603, 8th floor.
Regular Permanent April 2001
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) September 2003
H-2B January 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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