u visa consular processing: how to get qualifying family...

UVisaConsularProcessing:HowtoGetQualifyingFamilyMemberstotheU.S.andHowtoEffectivelyUseHumanitarianParoleto

ReunifyFamilies

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw 1

July30,2015WorkshopIV,SessionC

NewOrleans,LA

Introductions• EdnaYang

• LegalDirector,AmericanGateways• RocioMolina

• AssociateDirector,NationalImmigrantWomen’sAdvocacyProject

• MercedesLorduy• Co‐Director,VIDALegalAssistanceInc.


LearningObjectivesBytheendofthistraining,youwillbebetterableto:• ExplaintoclientsconsularprocessingforindividualsenteringtheU.S.basedonUvisagrants/DeferredActionStatus(DAS)

• UnderstandandusetheUvisaandDASwaitlistandprocessforprotectionofclients

• UtilizetheparoleprocesstoreunifyfamiliesontheUvisawaitlist

• UsetheI‐929processtoreunifyfamilies


WhendoyouhavetodoconsularprocessingforaUVisa?


HowmanyofyouhavecompletedconsularprocessingapplicationsforUvisaqualifyingfamilymembers/

derivatives?


Whatcountrieswereyourclientsfrom?


QualifyingFamilyMembers/Derivatives


If you, the U Visa applicant (referred to as the) “principal”,are...

Then...

Under 21 years of age You may petition on behalf of your spouse, child(ren), parents, and unmarried siblings under age 18

21 years of age or older You may petition on behalf of your spouse and child(ren).

INA§§101(a)(15)(U)(ii)

Certainfamilymembersof UvisaapplicantwillbeabletoobtainUnonimmigrantstatusasderivativefamilymembers.

ConsularProcessing• ApprovedI‐918A– givingnonimmigrantUstatus• CompleteDS‐160online

– https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

• CompleteVisaApplicationMachineReadableVisa(MRV)Payment– http://mexico.usvisa‐info.com (Mexico)– http://ustraveldocs.com (CentralAmerica)– GotoU.S.ConsulatewebsiteinspecificcountriesandseeprocessforvisapaymentforUvisa

– Zoho documentthroughImmigrationCenterforWomenandChildren(ICWC)website


ConsularProcessing

• Scheduleappointmentforvisainterview– http://mexcio.usvisa‐info.com ‐ forMexico,youneedtoscheduleabiometricsandinterviewappointments

– Consulttheconsulate’swebpageorZohodocumentforspecificprocessingrequirementsbecauseitvariesforeachconsulate


ConsularInterview• Derivativewillreceiveinstructionsonwhattheyneedtobringtotheinterview

• Generally:– Appointmentconfirmation/notice– DS‐160andMRVfeepaymentconfirmation– OriginalI‐918Aapproval– CopyofI‐918andprincipalI‐192approval– OriginalPassport– OriginalBirthCertificateofprincipalandderivative– Marriagecertificate(ifapplicable)– OnepassportstyleifnotuploadedwithDS‐160ornoApplicantService

Center(ASC)appointment– Additionalproofofrelationship


FromVermonttoKentucky• VermontServiceCenter(VSC)approvestheI‐918• U.S.Dept.ofState'sKentuckyConsularCenter(KCC)isresponsibleforcreatinganelectronicrecordofapprovednonimmigrantvisapetitionstoallowtrackingofnonimmigrantvisasbyconsulates

• TheconsulatemustverifytheapprovedpetitionthroughtheKCC'ssystem,knownas"PIMS”


ConsularProcess

VSCapprovesI‐918andsends

noticetoKCCandrepresentative

KCCgetsnotice,andcreatesrecordonPIMStobeaccessedbyconsulates

Readytopayandscheduleconsularinterview;approval

noticesenttoassignedconsulate


ConsularInterview• MakesuretheI‐918AapprovalisinPIMS

– [email protected]

• Atinterview,officerwillcheckPIMSandevidenceofrelationship• Ifvisaapproved,willreceiveemailnotificationwithwaybillnumberfordocumentpickupatselectedDHLlocation

• VisaexpirationwillbesameasI‐918Aexpiration.Willusuallybeamultipleentryvisa– Willbemarkedcategory“M”– Givewarningabouttravelformorethan90daysatonetime,orinaggregateof180

days

• DerivativemusttraveltoU.S.beforethevisaexpires• Derivativecanapplyforemploymentauthorizationdocument(EAD)onceintheUS


CaseScenario#1

YouarehelpingSaraapplyforaUvisa.Saraisthevictimofasexualassault,whichoccurredatherworkplace.Sheisincludingherspouse,Victor,andher4childreninherUvisaapplicationasderivatives.Heroldest,Veronica,isinHondurasandis19yearsold.Heryoungest,Hector,isalsoinHondurasandis5yearsold.HertwootherchildrenareintheU.S.TheUvisaapplicationhasalreadybeenpendingfor11months.


UVisaCap• Only10,000visasperfiscalyear‐ INA214(p)(2)(A)– Derivativeapprovalsdonotcounttowardsthe10,000cap,INA214(p)(2)(B)

• Ifcapisnotmet,awaitlistwillbecreated‐8CFR214.14(d)(2)– Doesnotaccrueunlawfulpresence(ULP)– CanberemovedfromwaitlistandhaveDAS/paroleterminatedatdiscretionofUSCIS,8CFR214.14(d)(3)


DeferredActionStatus• U.S.CitizenshipandNaturalizationServices(USCIS)mailsDASlettertoprincipalsandderivatives

• DASisnot“lawfulstatus”• DAShasnoexpirationdate– validuntilUvisaawardedorDASrevoked

• DASgivesEmploymentAuthorizationeligibility– Category(c)(14)– EADonlyavailabletoapplicantsinsidetheU.S.


IfSara’sUvisaapplicationsareapproved,whocanapplyforDAS?


Whatabouthertwochildrenabroad?


ParoleforUVisasonWaitlist

• Paroleisintheregulations“USCISwillgrantdeferredactionorparoletoU‐1petitionersandqualifyingfamilymemberswhiletheU‐1petitionersareonthewaitinglist.”8CFR214.14(d)(2)

• Processnowissimilartorequestinghumanitarian/publicinterestparole


ParoleRequirements• Whatisthehumanitarianorpublicbenefitreasonforparole?

• Evidenceofanyimmigrationpetitionfiled• FormI‐131

– 2passportstylephotos– $360filingformorfeewaiver

• FormI‐134AffidavitofSupport


Whathappensifaderivativedoesn’tentertheU.S.ontheUVisabeforeit

expires?


CaseScenario#2SarareceivedherUvisaandisnoweligibletoapplyforlawfulpermanentresidency.Shecomestoyouforassistance.ShetellsyouthatsheandVictorhadsomeproblemsandsoshedivorcedhim.Sheisnowre‐marriedtoEdwin.Shealsotellsyouthatherson,Hector(whosefatherisnotVictor),wasunabletoobtainapassportandcouldnotentertheU.S.,eventhoughhisUnonimmigrantstatuswasapproved.Shewantstoapplyforherlawfulpermanentresidency.ShealsowantstohelpEdwinattainsomesortoflawfulstatusandseeifthereisawaytobringHectortotheU.S.SarawasabletogetlegalcustodyofHector,andhenowhasaHonduranpassport.


“Qualifyingfamilymember”:definedat8C.F.R.245.24(a)(2)

• Onlyavailabletofamilymembersofprincipal Unonimmigrants

• OnlyfamilymemberswhohaveneverbeengrantedUnonimmigrantstatusareeligibleforI‐929petition

• IftheprincipalUnonimmigrantisachildunder21yearsofage:– Spouse,parents,andchildren

• IftheprincipalUnonimmigrantisover21yearsofage:– Spousesandchildren


DerivativesNotIncludedinUVisaApplicationStage

• ForqualifyingfamilymembersnotpreviouslyincludedasderivativesattheUvisaapplicationstage(I‐918,SupplementA):– QualifyingfamilymemberscanalsoobtainimmigrationstatusbysubmittingFormI‐929

• ThisprocesstakesplaceatthetimetheprincipalUvisaholderisreadytoapplyforlawfulpermanentresidencyandwillallowsomefamilymemberstoentertheU.S.andadjuststatus,too


EligibilitytoFileI‐929PetitionforQualifyingFamilyMember

• QualifyingfamilymemberneverheldUnonimmigrantstatus

• FamilyrelationshipexistsatthetimeofUvisaholder’sadjustmentandadjudicationoffamilymember’sadjustmentorissuanceofvisa

• QualifyingfamilymemberorprincipalUnonimmigrantwouldsuffer“extremehardship”ifnotallowedtoenterorremaininUSA

• PrincipalUnonimmigranthasadjusted,hasapendingadjustmentapplication,orisconcurrentlyfiling

• Iftheypossessedinformationaboutthecrimeandareaskedtoassist,theydidnotunreasonablyrefusetoprovideassistance


TwoStepProcess

Petitioning for the Family Member using Form I-929

Once Form I-929 is approved, derivative may

apply for AOS/ go to consulate for immigrant visa


EligibilitytoFileI‐929PetitionforQualifyingFamilyMember

• PrincipalUnonimmigrantfilesI‐929withVSC– Maybefiledconcurrentlywiththeprincipal’sI‐485,butcannotbeapproveduntiltheI‐485isapproved

• OnceI‐929isapprovedqualifyingfamilymembermayadjuststatusintheU.S.orgotoaU.S.embassyorconsulateforanimmigrantvisa(IV)– Canobtainworkpermitbasedonpendingadjustmentapplication


EvidenceforI‐929• FormI‐929• Filingfeeof$215orfeewaiverrequest• Proofofpetitioner’sI‐485filingorapproval• Evidenceoffamilyrelationship• EvidenceofextremehardshiptofamilymemberorprincipalUnonimmigrantifdenied– Evidencemayrelatetoextentofabusesuffered,impactoflossofaccesstoU.S.socialjusticesystem,socialpractices,andlikelihoodofharminhomecountry,applicant’sneedforservicesintheU.S.,&ageofapplicant


I‐929– NoAgeOutProvisions

• SiblingsdonotqualifyforI‐929• TherearenoageoutprotectionsforI‐929

– InU.S.– I‐929AND I‐485mustbeapprovedbeforethebeneficiaryturn21

– Ifconsularprocessing,IVmustbeissuedANDbeneficiarymustentertheU.S.beforeturning21


CaseScenario#3

YoumeetwithEdwin,andhetellsyouthathehasbeenarrestedinthepast.Hesayshehasbeenarrestedforassaultin1999,twotimesforDWIin2000and2001,andforshopliftingin2002.


AdmissibilityRequirementsforAdjustmentforBeneficiaryofI‐929Pursuant8C.F.R.245.24(h)(1)(v)

• Beneficiaryisnotrequiredtoestablishthathe/sheisadmissibleunderanyofthegroundssetforthinINA212(a)withtheexceptionofINA212(a)(3)(E)


InadmissibilityandI‐929• Thereisnowaiverapplicationbecausetheonlygroundofinadmissibilityforadjustmentofstatus(AOS)basedonanapprovedI‐929isterrorismgrounds,INA245(m)

• Discretionisatissue,8CFR245.24(h)(1)(v)–– Mitigatingequitiesforadversefactors– Seriousadversefactorsmayrequiredemonstratingexceptionalandextremelyunusualhardship

– Hardshipmaybeinsufficientdependingonthegravityandnatureoftheadversefactor


ApprovedI‐929

• Canusetheapprovaltoapplytoadjuststatustolegalpermanentresidency(LPR)

• CanusetheapprovaltoconsularprocessforafamilymemberasanLPR



JurisdictionforAdjudicationofI‐929&AdjustmentofStatusforBeneficiary

• USCIShassolejurisdictionoverallI‐929,PetitionsforQualifyingFamilyMembersofPrincipalUnonimmigrants,pursuantto8C.F.R.245.24(h)(2)

• USCIShassolejurisdictionoverallI‐485,applicationsforAOSfiledunderINAsection245(m),pursuanttoC.F.R.245.24(f)

AdjustmentofStatusbasedonApprovedI‐929

• FormI‐485• Filingfees($985,$85)orfeewaiver• FormG‐325A• Medicalexamcompletedbyacivilsurgeon• Twopassportstylephotos• I‐929approvalandI‐485approvalforpetitioner• Applicant'sbirthcertificate• Copyofallofthepagesoftheapplicant’spassport


ConsularProcessingbasedonapprovedI‐929

• Processisthroughnationalvisacenter(NVC)likeIVProcess– PayIVvisafees($379forDS‐260)– CompleteDS‐260online

• Noaffidavitofsupportneeded‐ 9FAM41.85N.10• AllotherIVrequirements(medical,policecertificate,etc.)mustbemet

• Medicalexam


CaseScenario#4

Sarahtellsyouthatherson,Hector,hashadsomeproblemsinHonduras.Hehasbeenarrestedforshopliftingtwice.Sheisnotsurewhathappenedinthecases,buthermother,whoistakingcareofHector,saidthathewasnotsenttojail.


InadmissibilityandI‐929:WhenFamilyMemberAbroad

• TheFAMandDOSregulationsaresilentregardinginadmissibilityissuesandwhetherINA245(m)control

• FAM referstofactthatderivativesmustbeadmissible andsaysthatI‐929applicantsarefollowtojoinderivatives andotherwisetreatedasIVapplicants,9FAM41.85N.9andN.10


39

ConsularInterviewProcess

• Thelogisticsandstepsinvolvedintheconsularinterviewprocessvariescountrytocountry!!– Youmustcarefullyreviewguidancepostedontheindividualconsulate’swebsitetoprepareyourclientfortheconsularIVinterview

– SeelinkonNVCwebsitetoallconsulatesat:http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3830.html

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

40

GeneralProcessforIVConsularInterview

• Theprocessdifferscountrytocountry!• Generalstepstoprocess:

– Applicantcompletesmedicalexamatconsulate’smedicalclinic(usuallyneartheconsulate&usuallyafewdayspriortoconsularinterview)

• Tip:Applicantshouldbringcompletevaccinationrecord– Applicantattendsconsularinterview:

• Applicant(s)presentmedicalexaminationreportsfromconsularclinic,twoadditionalpassport‐stylephotos,andadditionaldocumentationprovingfamilyrelationship

• Officerinterviewsapplicantre:familyrelationship,admissibility,andcompletedocumentation,andapprovesordeniesImmigrantVisa/stoApplicant(s)orissuesrequestforevidence(RFE)

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

WhatHappensafterIVisApproved?• ConsulatehandstheIVprintedintoapplicant’spassport,alongwitha

sealedpacketforCustomsandBorderPatrol(CBP),andapplicant’soriginalcivildocumentstotheapplicantor sendsitviacourier(seeconsulatewebsiteforprocess)

• TheIVusuallyisvalidfor6months,butapplicantshoulddoublechecktheexpirationdateprintedonthevisa

• TheIVapplicantmustpresenthimselfatCBPinspectionpoint(e.g.,borderbridgeorairport)beforeIVexpires‐– Thisprocessmaytakeafewhours,especiallyatabridgeontheMexicanborder

• OnceinspectedandadmittedtoU.S.byCBP,theapplicantautomaticallyconvertstoLPRstatus

• USCISnowrequireson‐linepaymentof$165foracardproductionfeebeforemailingtheLPRcard totheapplicant’sU.S.addresslistedontheDS‐230/260(English‐onlyoptiononUSCISwebsiteatwww.uscis.gov/uscis‐elis ‐requirescardorcheck)

41NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

HowtoRespondtoanAdverseConsularDecision

• Applicant&petitionershouldbepreparedtoasktospeaktosupervisorifconsularofficerisdoingsomethingimproperandshouldbeinstructedtoimmediatelywritedownwhathappened

• YoucanlaterseekanadvisoryopinionfromtheStateDepartmentincaseoflegalerrorbyconsulateifalegalinterpretationisindispute– Representativeshoulde‐[email protected]

– Expectseveralmonthsdelayforresponse• CanseekassistancefromCongresspersonforinquiryorletterofsupport


IVDenialsbyConsulate• Nojudicialreview• Applicantmustbegivenwrittennoticeregardinggroundsofineligibilityforlegalbasisofdenial‐ 22CFR42.81(b)

• Applicantisusuallygiventheopportunitytoovercomeineligibilityanddenialshallbereconsideredif,within1year,applicantpresentsevidencetoovercome‐ 22CFR42.81(b)&(c)

• ApplicantmayrequestreviewoflegalissuefromVisaOfficeAdvisoryOpinionsDivision(Legalnet)‐22CFR41.121(d)


TechnicalAssistanceandMaterials

• PowerPointpresentationsandmaterialsforthisconferenceatwww.niwap.org/go/NOLA2015

• NIWAPTechnicalAssistance:– Call(202)274‐4457– E‐[email protected]

• WebLibrary:www.niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu


Questions


Evaluations


Thankyou!

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,American

UniversityWashingtonCollege of Law

47

THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED BY GRANT NO. 2013-TA-AX-K009 AWARDED BY THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE OPINIONS, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION/PROGRAM/EXHIBITION ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

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