News

For parents and children who were forcibly separated by the U.S. Government, free mental health services are available. Learn more.

A United States Judge has temporarily halted implementation of new USCIS fees.

USCIS announces it is raising filing fees starting October 2, 2020. If you want me to file for you prior to that date, I must have received ALL supporting documents and the fully completed questionnaires from you before September 17, 2020.

Court rules that neither USCIS nor DOS may enforce the Public Charge Rule during the COVID-19 National Emergency. That means you will not need to submit I-944 or DS-5540 or supporting documents. It is not final as this is subject to a higher court or decision on the merits of the case.

Due to Governor Inslee’s Stay Home Stay Safe order, I am no longer available for in-person meetings. I remain available via telephone call or scheduled video conference. Because of the order, most days I am working from my home office and not in my West Seattle office, therefore documents should be sent via U.S. Priority Mail. Please do not send documents to my office via UPS, FedEx or DHL nor require signature for U.S. Mail.

I remain available for in-office meeting with clients despite the Coronavirus pandemic. However, if you or anyone in your family is feeling ill, please reschedule your in-office appointment. I am also happy to accommodate clients by moving any in-person meeting to a telephone meeting. If you wish, instead of signing documents at my office, you may print, sign and send documents to my office via U.S. mail.

Because of recent U.S. Supreme Court action, USCIS plans to implement the October 15, 2019, rule on public charge starting with new permanent resident (green card) applications received on February 24, 2020. That means if you want to be under the old rules for new permanent resident applications within the U.S., you need to file in the next two weeks. I need all documents and completed questionnaires from you no later than February 10, 2020, in order to be able to file prior to the deadline.

USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. As we shift caseloads between field offices to decrease processing times, we may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS. USCIS remains committed to adjudicating applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits as effectively and efficiently as possible in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations while securing the integrity of the immigration system.