The Compass® Immigration News to help Employers, Families and Individuals navigate the legal system to successfully achieve their immigration goals.
David Swaim & Associates Takes the Gold for Best Immigration Attorney in DFW!
We are very pleased to announce that our firm, David Swaim and Associates, P.C. (DSA) has been selected by the readers of the Dallas Morning News as the best immigration law firm in the DFW Metroplex. We are very honored to receive this award and credit the support of our clients, employers, universities and, of […]
USCIS Announces Tips to Filing Petitions/Applications Online
As we move toward an increasing electronic environment, we now scan and upload many documents into electronic database systems. To avoid delays and improve scanning efficiency, we recommend that you do not: Avoiding these activities will improve our efficiency as we process your application, petition, or request. David Swaim, Managing PartnerDavid Swaim & Associates, P.C. […]
Visitor Visas and the Difference Between the B-1 and B-2 Categories
Visitor visas are for people who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1) or for tourism (visa category B-2). A visitor under the B-1 visitor for business category is permitted to, among other things: Consult with business associates Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference Settle an […]
Update on Appeals with the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals
There has been a steady flow of decisions but nothing especially notable. It appears the Board is close to finishing the 2019 cases. While that’s good progress, it still puts the backlog at two to three years, which suggests refiling remains a preferable option over an appeal. This could change in the next year or […]
USCIS Increases Green Card Validity Extension Period
Effective Sept. 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green […]
News from DHS About Asylum Cases
The Department of Homeland Security has released new I-765 and I-589 forms which are very important for asylum and work authorization through asylum. You will be required to use the updated forms starting Nov. 7, 2022, and any old forms after that date will not be accepted. What Are Forms I-589 and I-765? Forms I-589 […]
An Extremely Important Day
Having practiced immigration law since 1986, I have seen many very successful people and some very disappointed people, all clients. Fortunately, well over 90% of our clients have seen success in their immigration processing. But why is that? There are a number of things that successful clients look into, learn about, and discuss with their […]
The US State Department and AILA Announce Changes to Nonimmigrant Visa Applications
Once form DS-160 has been submitted to the US State Department, it cannot be “reopened” to make changes. However, both the US Dept. of State and AILA have announced ways in which changes can still be made to applications before they get to an Officer at the US Consulate: The first option is to log […]
The USCIS Has Now Reached FY2023 H-1B Cap
USCIS announced it has received sufficient petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for FY2023. However, USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are exempt from the cap. See more details in the PDF below: […]