In this video, I want to give you an update about what's happening with USCIS with respect
to a few things. First of all, what's happening with delayed receipt notices,
what's happening with expiring checks. When you file your case, it's sitting there for months,
if the check is it's going to expire, what's going to happen with your case? These are
some new things that are happening. And finally, how is the public charge rule
being taken right now with USCIS after Biden's executive order. There's a lot of confusion there.
I'm going to break it down in this video. So, make sure you stick to the end. Welcome to our
Immigration channel. This is a place where you get the most up-to-date immigration, US immigration
updates, and everything else that you need to make your immigration journey stress-free. If you're
here for the first time, make sure you click the notification bell so you don't miss any of our
videos. And also, give us a big like so YouTube is going to be able to show this video to more
people just like you. Let's talk about USCIS. So, I've given you a lot of updates about the State
Department and consulates. But things are happening at USCIS. And those things are quite
annoying. In previous videos, I have given quite a few updates about USCIS receipt delays. And as you
remember, it started a few months ago. Right now, it's getting pretty bad. From my own experience,
from our own cases, right now, we have cases that have been waiting for receipts for over 11
weeks. 11 weeks, guys, that's crazy. And imagine when you file an application for a work permit,
or an Adjustment of Status, or a DACA application, or anything like that. You file that application,
and then you hear nothing from the government for four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, nine weeks,
now, 11 weeks. Some of our clients are stuck. You can’t apply for a work permit, you can’t apply for
a driving license, some employers are giving hard time to these employees. So, these receipt delays
are creating a lot of hardship. And USCIS is trying to catch up, of course, short staff,
the pandemic issues. But these are real things and they know about it. So, one thing that I mentioned
before is that whenever you file your cases, make sure you file it with a check, with a personal
check. So, the moment they cash your check, they usually will cash your check, maybe a week or
even two weeks before they will issue a receipt, you'll be able to see, at the back of your check,
you’ll be able to see a number, your case number is actually going to be at the back of the check.
So, that's a good tip for you to know that you'll be able to do that. And this will... if your case
is receipted beforehand, so you don't have to wait for another two weeks to get the receipt. But
they're definitely working on it. But it's a real thing. And it's happening. So, don't worry.
And make sure, really make sure that you file the case correctly. The correct address, the correct
USCIS lockbox. And this way definitely will help you avoid more delays. Some of the checks
have a notation of them not valid after 90 days, specifically, they're issued by an employer, or if
it's a corporate check. Those checks were returned to us. We have two cases that were returned to us
because USCIS said we didn't have the correct fees. And we think that was because of the checks.
So, right now, the American Immigration Lawyers Association is looking for guidance from USCIS
as to what's going to happen when cases are sitting there for two months or more.
And by the time they're ready to adjudicate them, there may be an issue with the check.
There wasn't going to be an issue if they were not sitting on those cases for months. And so,
once again, once I have more guidance on that, I'll be able to let you know. But again, if
you're able to use a check that doesn't have that notation, or like a money order or something that,
you know the check will be good for at least six months,
then that's another precaution to avoid getting the case returned or any other delays. In addition
to the timeline that is already taking forever to get case receipts, we really, really hope
that as the Biden administration getting new people inside USCIS, we have a new director,
we hope that adjudications are going to become more smooth, and the timeline and the time wait
to get those receipts is going to be definitely reduced. But because what's happening right now
is really, really frustrating, there should be no reason in the world why an applicant should
be waiting more than eight weeks to get a receipt. Now, so, if you, guys, have been impacted by this,
if you're waiting for your receipts, let me know in the comments below for how long have you been
waiting. How long have you been waiting for your case to get your receipt notice or to
get any answer from USCIS? Yes, I would like to know, please drop this in the comments below. So,
let's talk about public charge. I'm getting a lot of emails and text messages from people that are
confused. Do we have the public charge? Is it active? What happened after Biden's executive
order? Let's talk about that. Under Biden’s second executive order, one of the things that
we're going to do is review agency policies, specifically review the citizenship process
and the public charge rule. In particular, in fact, under the executive order by April 3,
2021, the government must review all policies and procedures with respect to the public charge,
and make a decision whether it's going to stay or go. But what is really important to know for you,
and that's something that I'm getting a lot of questions about is that this executive order
did not stop the public charge. It only said they're going to be reviewing procedures
to make sure that it's fair or not fair and find a different way to go forward. But that's not
going to happen before April 3. As of now, the public charge is still on. And when you file
your Adjustment of Status applications, you have to file Form I-944 with every single case that you
file. That has not changed. If there are going to be any changes in litigation before that,
obviously, things will change. But as of now, nothing has changed. But remember,
the public charge rule does not apply when overseas with embassies and consulates, that's
still the same. So, you don't have to worry about when you apply for your immigrant visa overseas.
You don't have to worry about the public charge rule applications. So, in conclusion, the public
charge is still on for the moment, either until there's going to be any litigation, or we're
going to see some notification from the government after April 3, 2021, when they're going to
finish their review process. So, hopefully, this information was helpful. We talked about receipt
notice delay is pretty severe, and hopefully, that's going to change very soon. We talked about
expiring checks and what to do with it. And also, we talked about the current status of the public
charge rule. If this information was helpful, let me know in the comments below. Once again,
if you’re here for the first time, don't forget to click the notification bell and subscribe to this
channel. And also, give us the big like so that YouTube will be able to continue to share this
video with more people just like you. Thanks for watching. And if you want a consultation with me,
make sure you text the number here below. I will see you in our next video.