Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)
10/31/2021
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) provides Liberians in the United States and their families an opportunity to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card), regardless of immigration status.
USCIS has expanded its guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual about Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) to clarify steps applicants must take if they cannot submit primary evidence of Liberian nationality to support an LRIF-based application for adjustment of status. The deadline to apply to adjust status under LRIF is Dec. 20, 2021.
How do I apply for LRIF? Who is eligible?
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides full application instructions on its website, and Informed Immigrant has a guide for applicants. To apply for a green card, LRIF applicants must file an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form 1-485), which must be received by USCIS on or before December 20, 2021.
Generally, individuals can apply for adjustment under LRIF if they are a Liberian national and have been continuously present in the U.S. since at least November 20, 2014, and have not committed certain crimes. Spouses and unmarried children of LRIF-eligible Liberian nationals can also apply for a green card under LRIF.
At the time of this blog, the Department of State’s Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Liberia webpage indicates what primary evidence will be accepted. For example, an unexpired Liberian passport or Liberian certificate of naturalization.
USCIS strongly encourages applicants to submit any and all evidence available to them when applying for LRIF. USCIS will consider any and all evidence provided by the applicant, including the applicant’s testimony during an interview, when determining eligibility for adjustment of status.
The spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older of eligible Liberian nationals who are principal applicants also may be eligible for Green Cards.
Important Reminder of Upcoming Filing Deadline Dec. 20, 2021.
H-2B visas for Temporary Nonagricultural Workers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of the fiscal year 2022. Sept. 30 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2022. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Sept. 30 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2022.
USCIS continues to accept H-2B petitions that are exempt from the congressionally mandated cap. This includes petitions for:
- Current H-2B workers in the United States who extend their stay, change employers, or change the terms and conditions of their employment;
- Fish roe processors, fish roe technicians, and/or supervisors of fish roe processing; and
- Workers performing labor or services in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and/or Guam from Nov. 28, 2009, until Dec. 31, 2029.
U.S. businesses use the H-2B program to employ foreign workers for temporary nonagricultural jobs. Currently, Congress has set the H-2B cap at 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (Oct. 1 – March 31) and 33,000 (plus any unused numbers from the first half of the fiscal year) for workers who begin employment in the second half of the fiscal year (April 1 – Sept. 30).
For information on how to apply to the H-2B Worker Program, contact the Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC at (212)258-0713. 2021-10-12
DACA NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
8 CFR Parts 106, 236, and 274a
[CIS No. 2691–21; DHS Docket No. USCIS–
2021–0006] RIN 1615–AC64
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
USCIS notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on DACA. If finalized as proposed, the NPRM would codify the existing DACA policy with a few limited changes. Comments are due 11/29/21. (86 FR 53736, 9/28/21). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Immigration Reform is Hard. But it’s Not Dead.
Democrats blocked from including immigration reform in the party-line spending bill. The Senate parliamentarian on Sunday rejected Democrats’ push to include a pathway to legal status in their social spending plan, a blow to the party’s efforts to enact immigration reform.
“Our economy depends more than ever on immigrants,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Despite putting their lives on the line during the pandemic and paying their fair share of taxes, they remain locked out of the federal assistance that served as a lifeline for so many families. We will continue fighting to pursue the best path forward to grant them the ability to obtain lawful status.” Schumer’s remarks were echoed by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).
A White House spokesperson reiterated that President Joe Biden “supports efforts by Congress to include a pathway to citizenship in the reconciliation package and is grateful to Congressional leadership for all of the work they are doing to make this a reality. ”
With bipartisan talks stalled, Democrats widely viewed the social spending package — set to advance through the so-called budget reconciliation process that allows Democrats to sidestep a filibuster — as their best chance to enact immigration reform. Congressional leaders have several alternative proposals and should immediately put them before the parliamentarian; hitting a roadblock the first time is nothing new in the push for immigration reform. The need for pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS and DED recipients, farm workers and essential workers is still vital from both a moral perspective, and a pragmatic one: reforms will have a direct budget impact and would yield $1.5 trillion over ten years in economic growth. There is also a continued need to address visa backlogs and bring our immigration system into this century.
Democrats vowed to continue this battle for sensible immigration reform, urging Congressional members to update our immigration laws. Immigration reform is hard. But it’s not dead.
ANNOUNCEMENT
I am proud to announce that I have been nominated to Co-Chair the AILA NY Asylum Committee 2021-2022.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of more than 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. AILA member attorneys represent the U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as, U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace. AILA members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers. Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its chapters and national committees.
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT MAY HAVE “U NON-IMMIGRANT VISA” OPTION
As a law enforcement official, you play an important role in the application process for U nonimmigrant status (also known as a U visa). The U visa can be a key tool to support your case. The U visa can help certain crime victims feel safer reporting crimes, so that they may be more willing to work with you, even if they do not have lawful immigration status.
If approved, the U visa provides the victim with:
• temporary immigration status including work authorization;
• temporary immigration status for qualifying family members of the victim; and
• the possibility of lawful permanent resident status.
U VISA ELIGIBILITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), decides if a person is eligible for a U visa. Law enforcement does not determine who is eligible for a U visa; however, law enforcement provides information so that USCIS can determine if the person:• is a victim of a qualifying crime or criminal activity;
• has information about the crime or criminal activity; and
• is, was, or is likely to be helpful in the detection or investigation of the qualifying crime
or criminal activity, or the prosecution, conviction, or sentencing of the perpetrator of
the qualifying crime or criminal activity.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUALIFYING CRIME OR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY?
The following table lists the criminal activities that are considered “qualifying criminal activities” for purposes of U visa eligibility. These are general categories of crimes and it is important to note that any similar criminal activities that violate Federal, state, or local laws may also be considered “qualifying criminal activities” for purposes of U visa eligibility.
• Abduction
• Abusive Sexual Contact
• Being Held Hostage
• Blackmail
• Domestic Violence
• Extortion
• False Imprisonment
• Felonious Assault
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Fraud in Foreign Labor
Contracting
• Incest
• Involuntary Servitude
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• Obstruction of Justice
• Peonage
• Perjury
• Prostitution
• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Exploitation
• Slave Trade
• Stalking
• Torture
• Trafficking
• Witness Tampering
• Unlawful Criminal
Restraint
Qualifying crimes include any similar activity where the nature and elements of the crime are substantially similar to one of
the crimes listed. Attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the crimes listed above may also count as a “qualifying
criminal activity.”
DOES THE VICTIM AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE AU VISA BECAUSE A CERTIFICATION HAS BEEN SIGNED?
No. The certification by itself does not grant any immigration benefit. USCIS reviews all of the evidence submitted along with the certification to determine whether a victim is eligible for a U visa. USCIS also conducts a thorough background check of each U visa petitioner (as well as each
included family member).
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING U VISA FRAUD?
The USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate works to ensure that individuals seeking to
defraud our immigration system are not granted a U Visa.
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Call the Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC at (212)258-0713 to speak with an immigration lawyer.
Visa Bulletin for July 2021
The Visa Bulletin for July 2021 summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:
A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;
B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.
Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.
A. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15NOV14 | 15NOV14 | 15NOV14 | 01OCT98 | 22FEB12 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 15SEP15 | 15SEP15 | 15SEP15 | 01FEB00 | 15OCT11 |
| F3 | 01NOV08 | 01NOV08 | 01NOV08 | 08MAR97 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 08FEB07 | 08FEB07 | 15AUG05 | 15DEC98 | 22JUN02 |
B. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15MAY16 | 15MAY16 | 15MAY16 | 01AUG00 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01JUN21 | 01JUN21 | 01JUN21 | 01JUN21 | 01JUN21 |
| F2B | 22SEP16 | 22SEP16 | 22SEP16 | 08AUG00 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22AUG09 | 22AUG09 | 22AUG09 | 08SEP00 | 01OCT03 |
| F4 | 01OCT07 | 01OCT07 | 01DEC05 | 08MAY99 | 01FEB04 |
AAO Processing Times
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 43.43% | 1,043 | |
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 2 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 3 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 30.77% | 39 |
| I-129H1B | Nonimmigrant Specialty Occupation Worker | 89.29% | 56 |
| I-129H2A | Nonimmigrant Petitions for Trainees | 100% | 1 |
| I-129L | Nonimmigrant Intracompany Transferee | 100% | 36 |
| I-129O | Nonimmigrant Extraordinary Ability Worker | 78.95% | 19 |
| I-129P | Athletes, Artists and Entertainers | 12.50% | 8 |
| I-129R | Nonimmigrant Religious Worker | 20% | 5 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document | 82.82% | 11 |
| I-140A | Alien with Extraordinary Ability | 72.73% | 66 |
| I-140C | Multinational Manager or Executive | 81.48% | 27 |
| I-140D | Advanced Degree Professional | 64.71% | 17 |
| I-140E | Professional Worker | 88.89% | 9 |
| I-140F | Skilled Worker | 73.68% | 19 |
| I-140G | Other Worker | 77.78% | 9 |
| I-140I | National Interest Waiver | 9.09% | 88 |
| I-212 | Application to Reapply for Admission | 13.24% | 68 |
| I-352 | Bond Breach | 85.19% | 54 |
| I-360C | Special Immigrant Juvenile | 21.05% | 76 |
| I-360D | Petition for Religious Worker | 0% | 8 |
| I-360 VAWA | Violence Against Women Act Petition | 54.17% | 76 |
| I-485 SEC 13 | Cuban Adjustment Act | 100% | 1 |
| I-485U | U Visa Nonimmigrant Adjustment | 26.32% | 76 |
| I-526 | Alien Entrepreneur | 22.22% | 18 |
| I-600 | Petition for Orphan | 100% | 1 |
| I-601 | Application for Waiver of Inadmissibility | 21.49% | 121 |
| I-612 | Application of 212(e) Waiver | 0% | 1 |
| I-698 | Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident Under Section 245A | 100% | 2 |
| I-821 | Temporary Protected Status | 75% | 4 |
| I-914 | Application for T Nonimmigrant Status | 38.46% | 13 |
| I-918 | Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status | 14.46% | 83 |
| I-924(Term) | Termination of a Regional Center | 50% | 2 |
| I-929 | Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Recipient | 0% | 6 |
| N-470 | Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | 100% | 1 |
| N-565 | Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document | 100% | 4 |
| N-600 | Certificate of Citizenship | 83.72% | 43 |
https://www.uscis.gov/administrative-appeals/aao-processing-times
Notice to Appear, Cancellation of Removal and Niz-Chavez v. Garland
On April 29, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court issued Niz-Chavez v. Garland, 141 S. Ct. 1474
(2021), holding unequivocally that a Notice to Appear (NTA)—the charging document that
commences immigration court removal proceedings—must contain the time and place of the
hearing in a single document in order to trigger the stop-time rule in cancellation of removal
cases, and that a subsequently-issued hearing notice does not stop time if the NTA did not
include the required information.
Mr. Niz-Chavez entered the United States in 2005. In 2013, DHS served him an NTA that did
not list a time or place for his initial hearing. Two months later, Mr. Niz-Chavez received a
hearing notice stating the time and place of his hearing. Mr. Niz-Chavez applied for withholding
of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture, which the IJ denied. Mr. NizChavez appealed to the BIA, also requesting that the BIA remand to the IJ so that he could apply
for non-LPR cancellation of removal based on Pereira. The BIA denied Mr. Niz-Chavez’s
motion to remand and the Sixth Circuit subsequently denied Mr. Niz-Chavez’s petition for
review, holding that the stop-time rule was triggered when the government had finished
delivering all of the information required by INA § 239(a)(1), which occurred when Mr. Niz Chavez received his hearing notice.
The Supreme Court then reversed the Sixth Circuit. The Court found that the plain language
of INA § 239(a)(1)—which uses the indefinite article “a” when referring to “a ‘notice to
appear’”—leaves no room to permit a second document to cure the defect. Reversing the Sixth
Circuit’s decision, the Court concluded that “the government must issue a single and
comprehensive notice before it can trigger the stop-time rule.”