EADs for 5 years, October Visa Bulletin Updates, and Staying Safe in Deer Encounters
EADs from 2 years to 5 years, GC priority date movements, Staying Safe During Deer Encounters
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Market: The stock market had a rough week as the Fed’s hawkish stance on interest rates spooked investors. The Fed signaled that it would keep rates high for longer to curb inflation, which could dampen consumer and business spending. The S&P 500, the Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq all ended the week lower, with the S&P 500 losing 2% in two days. The market also faced headwinds from the ongoing labor strikes in the auto and entertainment sectors, and the weak flash PMI data that showed a stagnation in business activity. Next week, investors will look for updates on the inflation gauge, the labor situation, and the earnings from Costco and Nike.
EAD for 5 years 🤩
In a move that promises to bring relief and optimism to many immigrants, DHS has announced plans to extend the validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) to five years. While this change is monumental for various categories of applicants, it holds particular significance for those pursuing adjustment of status (AOS). In this article, we break down the details of this announcement and its potential impact.
DHS announcement
The news was unveiled through a fact sheet released by the Biden-Harris Administration in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. The fact sheet, titled "Biden-Harris Administration Takes New Actions to Increase Border Enforcement Accelerate Processing for Work Authorizations While Continuing to Call on Congress to Act," may not initially seem connected to employment-based immigration. However, buried within its contents is a game-changing revelation for adjustment of status applicants.
Five-Year EADs for Adjustment of Status
While the fact sheet primarily focuses on border enforcement and other unrelated issues, it includes a section highlighting improvements in the processing of work authorizations. This section announces USCIS's intent to increase the maximum validity period of initial and renewal EADs to five years for certain non-citizens. Crucially, this category includes "applicants for adjustment of status." While no specific limitations or restrictions are outlined, this change is expected to apply to employment-based applicants seeking adjustment of status.
Potential Impact on Processing Times
The extension of EAD validity to five years is anticipated to significantly reduce the administrative burden on USCIS, resulting in improved processing times for EAD applications. This development aligns with USCIS's acknowledgment that there are a considerable number of adjustment of status applications pending, with demand outstripping visa availability. By extending the EAD validity period, USCIS aims to streamline its workload and provide applicants with longer-term employment authorization.
Advanced Parole (AP) and Future Developments
While the extension of EADs to five years is a promising development, questions remain regarding Advanced Parole (AP). USCIS has traditionally treated AP differently from EADs, and it's unclear whether the same extension will apply. Applicants are cautiously hopeful that USCIS will adopt a consistent approach and extend the AP validity as well, but this remains uncertain.
#SettleWiseStance – DHS's decision to extend the validity of employment authorizations to five years, particularly for adjustment of status applicants, is a significant step forward in reducing administrative burdens and improving processing times. This move aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to address immigration-related challenges. While there are still questions about AP, immigrants and advocates are optimistic about the positive impact this change will have on the adjustment of status process.
As USCIS is expected to provide further guidance on the implementation of this new policy, stay informed by watching for updates from Settlewise in the coming weeks.
Special thanks to Reddy & Neumann PC for their diligent research, uncovering this important information from an unrelated fact sheet.
Wiser Craving
Multiple subscribers reached out expressing their interest of learning few specific topics. If you want to read about any specific topic, Please let me know in the comments or email to author.settlewise@gmail.com
#WiserCraving Topic of this edition is Deer Encounters.
Navigating Deer Encounters on the Road: A Guide to Staying Safe
As the leaves change and fall ushers in cooler temperatures, it also marks the start of deer mating season in many parts of the country. While this season brings a picturesque view of nature, it also increases the chances of deer-related collisions on the road. According to the Oklahoma Insurance Department, collisions involving deer are significantly more common during the fall months. So, what should you do when a deer suddenly appears in your path while driving? Here’s your essential guide to staying safe on the road.
1. Keep Calm, Don't Swerve
When a deer darts across the road, your natural instinct might be to swerve to avoid hitting it. However, this can actually put you at greater risk. Swerving increases the chances of losing control of your vehicle, veering into oncoming traffic, or encountering dangerous terrain. In some cases, it might even lead to a rollover accident. Surprisingly, one of the safest actions you can take in this situation is to hit the deer head-on.
2. Don't Panic, It's Okay to Hit the Deer
When you encounter a deer in your path and time is running out, avoid slamming on the brakes. Hard braking shifts your vehicle into a "nose down" position, potentially making it more likely for the deer to hit your windshield. The recommended approach is to maintain your speed and avoid braking entirely. After the collision, pull over safely and assess your vehicle for damages. Do not attempt to approach the deer, as they may become agitated and pose a threat.
3. If You See a Deer Ahead
If you spot a deer in your path from a distance and have time to react, consider these steps:
- Flash Your Headlights or High Beams: This can alert the deer to your presence and potentially scare it away.
- Honk Your Horn: The sound of your horn is often enough to startle deer and make them move out of harm's way.
- Slow Down and Proceed with Caution: Remember, where there's one deer, there are often more nearby. Reduce your speed and stay vigilant for additional deer crossing the road.
#SettleWiseStance – As we embrace the beauty of fall, it's crucial to also be prepared for the increased wildlife activity on the roads. Following these guidelines can help you stay safe and avoid potentially dangerous swerves or accidents when encountering deer while driving. Remember, your safety and the safety of others on the road are paramount. While it may be unfortunate to make the decision to hit the deer, in many cases, it's the safest option for all involved.
Hitting an animal is not only the safest option but also saves money. From an insurance perspective, hitting an animal falls under comprehensive coverage, and comprehensive claims are not considered at fault. However, if you swerve and end up hitting a stationary object like a guardrail or tree, it falls under collision coverage and is considered an at-fault accident.
October Visa Bulletin
For those who may not be familiar with it, the Visa Bulletin is a crucial monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State. It serves as an indispensable guide for individuals in the immigration process, especially those who are eagerly awaiting their turn to apply for Green card. The bulletin contains vital information, including Green Card cutoff dates, which essentially determine when aspiring immigrants can move forward with their Green card applications. Understanding and tracking the Visa Bulletin is of utmost importance for anyone navigating the complex path to U.S. immigration.
The October Visa Bulletin holds immense significance for thousands of individuals around the world aspiring to live and work in the United States. As the first bulletin of the fiscal year, it often brings the hope of progress in their immigration journey. USCIS usually allows applicants to use the filing dates in this first bulletin to ensure they have enough applications to process throughout the year. While there may be a chance to use these dates in the next one or two months' visa bulletins, it's not guaranteed.
For our Settlewisers whose priority date is current, we urge you to prepare your documents right now and ensure that you file your I-485 or Adjustment of Status (AOS) application before the end of October. This window of opportunity can significantly impact your immigration timeline, so seize it diligently. It's important to note that AOS applications can be submitted without medical exams if that is hindering your submission before the end of October. Medicals can be submitted later too.
Here are the few categories which matters most to our community.
As expected for October, family-based applicants and employment-based application must use the “Dates for Filing”.
October Dates For Filing Of Employment-Based Visa Applications
We've provided the chart below for you to compare the final action dates for employment-based adjustment of status applications in September.
To read the official visa bulletin, please visit October Visa Bulletin.
#SettleWiseStance – In the latest Visa Bulletin's comparison of old and October cut-off dates, there are notable shifts in wait times for various employment-based categories. For EB-1 applicants in India, there's a significant improvement, with a wait time reduction of 7 years and 7 months, bringing the new cut-off date to July 2019. EB-2 candidates from India also experience an improved scenario, with a shorter wait time of 2 years, 4 months, and 2 weeks, as the new cut-off date stands at May 2012. EB-3 hopefuls in India see their waiting period reduced by 3 years and 8 months, with the new cut-off date in August 2012. Lastly, for EB-5 investors from India, there's a substantial change as the new cut-off date advances by 5 years to April 2022, potentially expediting the immigration process. These alterations reflect the dynamic nature of immigration, and we earnestly hope to see continued progress without any retrogression in the months ahead.
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