The country’s immigration agency, waiting times, and “premium processing”

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in charge of processing immigration applications.

Since the US is the destination for thousands of foreigners seeking to gain work experience, complete higher education, or become American citizens, immigration processes can take a considerable amount of time.

Therefore, the immigration agency offers a service called “Premium Processing”, which allows applicants, of a limited number of visas, to pay a higher fee to receive a response in the shortest possible time.

Do you need help with an immigration case? Contact Motion Law and follow the advice of experts.

Bill to increase “Premium Processing” possibilities

In late September, the US House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 8337) for Senate review, which, among many projects, included a proposal for the USCIS to increase the range of possibilities to request “Premium processing” and, at the same time, increase rates for this service.

The proposal called “Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act” is intended to help the federal agency obtain more funding and overcome the devastating downturn in revenue it suffered during the health crisis caused by the global Coronavirus pandemic.

In fact, the House of Representatives had already released this act since August to avoid furloughs for almost 70% of the USCIS employees.

It is important to clarify that the USCIS income depends almost entirely on fees that applicants must pay when submitting an immigration request. Thus, allowing more applicants to opt for “premium processing” can help the agency regain its financial balance.

Stay up to date with the latest immigration news. Visit our Blog section!

President Trump passes the bill

On October 1, 2020, the House of Representatives bill became Public Law after President Donald Trump signed it.

The House of Representatives states: “This title expands Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to provide premium processing services for certain immigration-related petitions and applications and contains other related provisions (…) DHS may collect a fee to provide premium processing of an application for any immigration benefit that DHS considers appropriate.”

This is truly beneficial news for the local immigration sector, including business immigration, as the USCIS will offer “Premium Processing” for more visa processes.

Want to come to the US, but don’t know which process to choose? Motion Law’s team has vast experience and is highly qualified to guide you through your immigration journey in the US.

Reliable help for your immigration case

Immigration is constantly changing in the US and it is imperative to have the constant accompaniment of experts, who are up to date with current policies and, therefore, can guide you towards the success of your immigration application.

Seeking reliable help from experts on immigration matters becomes essential during these times of crisis. It is better to take care of your future than to face precarious situations for not following legal guidelines.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.