18th November 2024
Good news for H1b holders and who lost their jobs

Good news for H1b holders and who lost their jobs

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Nonimmigrant workers who have lost jobs may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Regulations permit a discretionary grace period that allows workers in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B,

H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classifications (and their dependents) to be considered as having maintained status following the cessation of employment for up to 60 consecutive calendar days or until the end of the authorized validity period, whichever is shorter (See 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2)).

During this period, workers may be able to maintain their nonimmigrant status if a new employer timely files a petition on their behalf with an extension of stay request (e.g., an H-1B change of employer petition for a worker in H-1B status).

Portability rules permit workers currently in H-1B status to begin working for a new employer as soon as the employer properly files a new H-1B petition with USCIS, without waiting for the petition to be approved. More information about H-1B portability can be found on our H-1B Specialty Occupations page.

Workers may use the up to 60-day discretionary grace period to apply to change their nonimmigrant status, which may include changing status to become the dependent of a spouse (e.g., H-4, L-2).

Workers may use the up to 60-day discretionary grace period to seek a new employer-sponsored nonimmigrant status in the same or different status.

Some workers may be eligible to file a self-petitioned immigrant visa petition concurrently with an adjustment of status application.

Workers who are the beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant visa petition (Form I-140) may be eligible for a compelling circumstances EAD for up to one year if they:

  • do not have an immigrant visa available to them in the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, and
  • face compelling circumstances.

For precise news on various options , refer the USCIS page -https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/options-for-nonimmigrant-workers-following-termination-of-employment

TikTok to be banned on Texas state devices

TikTok to be banned on Texas state devices

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Gov. Greg Abbott banned TikTok from state-owned devices .
There is finally a non biased measures across the country to stop impact of an app that is hurting national security as it raises deep questions about its impact on young users.

South Dakota, Maryland, South Carolina and Nebraska are among states that have prohibited the app on government devices. Indiana, meanwhile, has sued TikTok not only over its data exploitation but because it exposes children to sexual content. The U.S. military blocked access in 2020 and advised all military personnel to delete the app from their smartphones.

“The threat of the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate the United States continues to grow on multiple fronts,” Abbott wrote to the heads of state agencies. “While the federal government holds the ultimate responsibility for foreign policy issues, the state also has the responsibility and opportunity to protect itself.”
Abbott also wrote to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, urging them to pass legislation to “safeguard our state against threats like TikTok,” including by codifying his directive to state agencies and making similar regulations for local governments.

The governor demanded state agencies to “strictly” enforce the ban on their officers and employees from downloading or using TikTok on any government-issued cellphones, laptops, tablets and other devices capable of Internet connectivity. He stated they may grant exceptions for law-enforcement investigations and other legitimate uses.
Abbott also ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Information Resources to develop a model plan for state agencies to address vulnerabilities from the use of TikTok on personal devices by Jan. 15, and for agencies to implement their own policies by Feb. 15.

New policy of USCIS will automatically extend green cards for naturalization applicants

New policy of USCIS will automatically extend green cards for naturalization applicants

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US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards or green cards for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization(the admittance of a foreigner to the citizenship of a country) starting Dec 12.
The new update of USCIS Policy Manual is expected to help naturalization applicants who experience longer processing times, because they will receive an extension of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and may not need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (green card).
LPRs who properly file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, may receive this extension without regard to whether they filed Form I-90, USCIS said in a press release.
USCIS said it will update the language on Form N-400 receipt notices to extend green cards for up to 24 months for these applicants.

The receipt notice can be shown with the expired green card as proof of continued status as well as identity and employment authorization under List A of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), if presented before the expiration of the 24-month extension period provided in the notice.
Prior to this change, under USCIS policy, naturalization applicants who did not apply for naturalization at least six months before their green card expiration date needed to file Form I-90 to maintain proper documentation of their lawful status.
Applicants who applied for naturalization at least six months prior to their green card expiration were eligible to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in their passport, which served as temporary evidence of their LPR status.
This policy was based on the processing goal of 180 days or six months for Form N-400s, which would make filing Form I-90 unnecessary for applicants who filed at least six months before their green card expiration date.
The new policy update recognizes USCIS’ current processing times, while improving flexibility and efficiency by reducing the number of ADIT stamp appointments in field offices and the number of Form I-90s filed, which allows for these resources to be focused on other immigration benefit adjudications, USCIS said.
The extension will apply to all applicants who file Form N-400 on or after Dec 12, 2022. LPRs who filed for naturalization prior to Dec 12 will not receive a Form N-400 receipt notice with the extension.

If their green card expires, they generally must still file Form I-90 or receive an ADIT stamp in their passport, in order to maintain valid evidence of their lawful permanent resident status.
Lawful permanent residents who lose their green card generally must still file Form I-90, even if they have applied for naturalization and received the automatic extension under this updated policy.
This is because noncitizens must carry within their personal possession proof of registration, such as the green card and any evidence of extensions or may be subject to criminal prosecution under INA 264(e), USCIS said.
Applicants who need an ADIT stamp may request an appointment at a USCIS Field Office by contacting the USCIS Contact Center

Datta Jayanti Utsav Celebrated in Dallas Gajanan Maharaj Temple

Datta Jayanti Utsav Celebrated in Dallas Gajanan Maharaj Temple

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Lord Dattatreya is believed to be an incarnation of the Holy Trinity – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh (Shiva). Lord Dattatreya was born to Sage Atri and his righteous wife, Devi Anasuya, and is enriched with three heads and six arms.

Datta Jayanti is celebrated across the USA in several temples of Gajanan Maharaj in Texas (Dallas,Houston), Illinois(Chicago), New Jersey, and California. These temples are dedicated to Gajanan Mauli, and special Pujas and Utsav’s are performed as the celebration of lord Dattatreya Jayanti on the day he was believed to have been born.

 Several devotees took part in the Datta Jayanti celebration, conducted by the Dallas – Gajanan Maharaj America Devotees Parivar, and visited the Shri Ram Mandir temple in Plano, Texas.

Devotees Took part in Shringar, Abhishek & Shri Gajanan Vijay Parayan, Bhajan, Arti, and Mahaprasad for all the devotees.

On this occasion Keshav Ji Maharaj Spoke about significance of Datta Jayati and how it is mentioned in Puranas.

 Keshav Ji Maharaj said according to Puranas,

Anasūûyāâ, the wife of Sage Atri, was well known for Her chastity (pativratāâ). As a result, she had acquired tremendous power, due to which Shri Indra and other deities felt threatened. So, they went to Shri Brahmāâ, Shri Vishnu and Shri Mahesh (Shiva) and told Their agony. The trinity of Deities decided to test Anasuya’s chastity.

Once, when Her husband Sage Atri had gone out, the trinity of Deities disguised as guests and approached Anasuya asking for alms. She requested Them to wait till Sage Atri re­turned; but They insisted on being served food immediately. They further said, ‘we have heard that you serve guests food as per their wishes in your hermitage; that is why, we have come here.’ Anasuya agreed to serve Them food as per their wishes. The Deities laid down a condition that She should serve Them in nude. Baffled by this, she thought, ‘my mind is pure, the prowess of my husband’s penance will save me.’ She then contemplated upon her husband and got a thought, ‘these guests are my children.’ The trinity of Deities immediately turned into three little crying babies! She took Them in Her arms and fed Them Her breast milk.

Just then, Sage Atri returned, and She narrated everything to Him. He recognized the true form of the babies and offered obei­sance to Them. The trinity of Deities was appeased, and They appeared in front of Sage Atri and Anasuya and told Them to ask for a boon. Sage Atri and Anasuya wanted the babies to be with them. The Deities blessed the couple and left for Their abodes.

 It was blissful event and there was everyone’s participation.Kids also participated in Bhajan and serving Mahaprasad .

Jai Gajanan and kudos to the GMADP Dallas Parivar devotees on arranging such blissful event of Datta Jayanti which sets the direction for young generation of Indian communities in USA.

Wells Fargo to begin in January at its giant Irving office

Wells Fargo to begin in January at its giant Irving office

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Wells Fargo is to get started coming month in its new campus at Irving.

Its regional office is planned at the end of Lake Carolyn near the corner of Las Colinas Boulevard and Promenade Parkway.

The California-based banking giant plans to accommodate more than 3,000 staffers in the new budlings by the time they open in 2025.

The 844,000-square-foot office development includes “two 10-story Class A build-to-suit office buildings, which includes a dining pavilion and lobby connector,” according to planning documents just filed with the state. The project also has “one 4,000-car parking structure with pedestrian bridge connector.”

 

The garage is being built across Promenade Parkway from the two office buildings.

Referred to in planning documents as “Project Falcon,” the $400 million Wells Fargo campus is being designed by Dallas architect Corgan.