January Visa Bulletin. Stop Those Annoying Robocalls
January Visa Bulletin: Advancements in Employment and Family-Based Categories. How To Stop Those Annoying Robocalls.
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Market: Stocks surged this week as the Fed signaled potential rate cuts next year and retail sales surprised investors with a 0.3% increase. The S&P 500 climbed, nearing an all-time high. Mortgage rates dipped below 7%, while gold and oil gained. Crypto saw a dip then rebounded, with Bitcoin hovering around $44,700. However, some industries like e-commerce and retail faced layoffs. Overall, the S&P 500 gained 2.5% this week, 22.9% YTD, and 75.8% over 5 years. Oil was flat this week but down 11.1% YTD. Gold rose 1.0% this week and 10.2% YTD. Bitcoin dipped 3.5% this week but remains up 154.5% YTD.
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January 2024 Visa Bulletin: Advancements in Employment and Family-Based Categories
The Department of State has recently unveiled the January 2024 visa bulletin, shedding light on immigrant visas available in the new year. Divided into Final Action Dates and Date of Filing charts for both Employment-Based and Family-Based categories, the bulletin is essential for applicants filing for Adjustment of Status in the United States. In a positive turn of events, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that applicants can utilize the Date of Filing for both Employment and Family-Based cases in January 2024.
Employment-Based Preference Categories:
The January 2024 bulletin brings promising advancements, particularly for EB-1 India, where Final Action Dates leap over three years and eight months to September 1, 2020. EB-1 China also witnesses progress, moving forward four months to July 1, 2022. In the EB-2 category, there are modest advancements, including a two-month jump for EB-2 India and a nine-week move for EB-2 China. EB-3, Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers, experience varying advancements, notably a seven-month progress for China and a one-month movement for India.
Family-Based Preference Categories:
Mirroring the Employment-Based charts, Family-Based categories show moderate advancements. Notable movements include an eight-month progression in F2A for Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents and a nine-day advancement in F2B for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older). The F3 category, Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens, sees noteworthy changes for Mexico, advancing over five months. In the F4 category, Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens, there is advancement for everyone except Mexico.
Jan 2024 Visa Bulletin - Click here
#SettleWiseStance – In fiscal year 2024, ending on September 30, expectations are that EB-1 dates may not become current. For those who have applied for I-485 and experienced retrogression in their priority dates, it's crucial not to lose hope or track of your application. In cases where a Request for Evidence (RFE) for medicals is received, it's imperative not to ignore it. In the past year and earlier, there have been instances where individuals received their Green Cards after responding to medical-related RFEs, even when their priority dates were not current. Some applicants have proactively reached out to USCIS to verify the validity of these Green Cards. Stay vigilant and informed throughout your immigration journey.
Stop Those Annoying Robocalls: A Guide to Phone Peace
Tired of annoying robocalls and scam calls interrupting your day? You're not alone. But don't give in to frustration! There are steps you can take to fight back and reclaim your phone as a communication tool, not a nuisance machine.
First Line of Defense:
Do Not Call Registry: This is a must-do. Register your landline and mobile numbers at donotcall.gov to limit legitimate telemarketing calls. It's not perfect, but it's a good start.
Reject Anonymous Calls: Most robocalls hide their numbers. Activate anonymous call rejection on your landline if available. For mobiles, carrier-specific tools can help (see below).
Next Level Protection:
Carrier Tools: All major carriers offer free and paid options to block, filter, and identify suspected robocalls. AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield – explore what your carrier offers and set it up!
Call-Blocking Apps: Apps like Nomorobo, Truecaller, Hiya, and Robo Revenge use community-sourced databases to identify and block unwanted calls. Some even fight back against scammers!
Don't Forget Your Phone:
Built-in Features: Many smartphones have built-in spam protection. Samsung's Smart Call, Google's spam call detection, and iOS's Silence Unknown Callers are all worth checking out.
Block Individual Numbers: Did a specific number become your nemesis? Block it on your phone! It's easy and takes care of repeat offenders.
Click here to view FCC.gov page for more details.
Click here to view FTC.gov page on how to block unwanted calls
#SettleWiseStance – Use common sense! Don't answer unknown numbers, and resist pressing buttons scammers ask you to hit. Silence your phone during peak robocall times, or even activate Do Not Disturb mode for a temporary call-free haven. Combating robocalls requires a multi-pronged approach. Combine these methods to create a fortress against unwanted calls and reclaim your phone's peaceful purpose. Enjoy the silence!
News Nuggets
Heavy rain, potential flooding forecast for the East Coast this weekend. Click here
Mortgage rates are falling. Will 2024 be a good time to buy a house? Click here
Dow closes above 37,000 for first time ever as Powell hints at rate cuts. Click here
U.S destroyer shot down 14 drones in Red Sea launched from Yemen. Click here
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