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Important Update: Changes to U.S. Visa Renewal via Dropbox (Interview Waiver Program) It appears that the U.S. Department of State has updated the visa support desk portal and interview scheduling system without an official announcement, modifying the eligibility criteria for the Interview Waiver Program (Dropbox). Previously, applicants could qualify for a visa renewal under the Dropbox option if their visa had expired within the last 48 months (as per the DOS official announcement on December 21, 2023). However, the updated system now indicates that the visa must have expired within the last 12 months to be eligible. Previous U.S. visa in the same class as the visa for which I wish to apply and my prior visa in the same visa class is still valid or expired within the last 12 months. Earlier, applicants were able to apply under Dropbox if they have been issued a visa in any class except B1/B2. Now it's no longer possible. With this update two most important extensions of the visa waiver program introduced on Jan 1, 2024, have been reversed. If you're planning to renew your visa, it's crucial to check the latest requirements on the official U.S. embassy or consulate website before proceeding. Previous Update on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants, dated December 21, 2023, can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gGzS9Mf7

DHS releases final rule on 540-day automatic EAD extension for certain applicants Release Date: 10-Dec-2024 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced final rule making the 540-day automatic EAD extension period permanent for certain eligible EAD renewal applicants. The final rule will become effective on January 13, 2025, and will apply to eligible applicants with timely filed renewal EAD applications pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022. This final rule will help U.S. employers retain their workers and help prevent workers with timely-filed EAD renewal applications from experiencing lapses in their employment authorization and employment authorization documentation through no fault of their own. More information can be found here https://lnkd.in/gebSUxYK and https://lnkd.in/gpgRVYaJ This final rule aligns with USCIS’ ongoing efforts to support eligible individuals’ ability to work and contribute to the U.S. economy. In addition to today’s final rule, USCIS has taken a number of steps to reduce EAD processing times overall and streamlined adjudication processing, including: 1. Reducing by half the median EAD processing times for individuals with pending applications for adjustment of status from fiscal year 2021 to date; 2. Engaging with communities to educate work-eligible individuals and providing on-the-ground intake support for applicants; 3. Reducing EAD application processing times for asylum applicants and certain hashtag#parolees to less than or equal to a 30-day median; 4. Extending the EAD validity period for certain categories of applicants from two years to five years; 5. Streamlining the processing of refugee EAD applications; and 6. Expanding online filing of EAD applications to hashtag#asylum applicants and parolees. hashtag#CategoriesEligible for hashtag#AutomaticEADExtensions can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gK-zWJPJ

DonaldTrump Signed Executive Order to End the Birthright Citizenship on Jan 20, 2025 The Executive Order shall apply only to persons who are born within the United States after 30 days from the date of this order. https://lnkd.in/gFjiJBWQ On Oct 30, 2018, Trump told "Axios on HBO" that he has run the idea of ending birthright citizenship by his counsel and plans to proceed with the highly controversial move. This was then considered to be largely political posturing, this resurfaced during his recent Presidential Election Campaign. https://lnkd.in/gb_-jyTd American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - Immigrants’ Rights Advocates Sue Trump Administration Over Birthright Citizenship Executive Order. Case: New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Donald J. Trump - - Case No. 1:25-cv-38 (Downloadable at https://lnkd.in/gVhwheDX) CLAIMS FOR RELIEF: 1. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF: The Executive Order violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause because it denies citizenship to the children of noncitizens who are born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States 2. SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF: The Executive Order violates 8 U.S.C. § 1401 et seq. because it denies citizenship to the children of noncitizens who are born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 3. THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF: The actions of Defendants that are required or permitted by the Executive Order, as set forth above, are contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity, including rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(B). 4. FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: The actions of Defendants that are required or permitted by the Executive Order, as set forth above, violate 8 U.S.C. § 1401 et seq. and are in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, or short of statutory right, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(C). DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF SOUGHT: a. Declare that the Executive Order is unconstitutional and unlawful in its entirety; b. Preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing the Executive Order; c. Require Defendants to pay reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs; d. Grant any other and further relief that this Court may deem just and proper. It should be noted that, "Birthright citizenship is a legal right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and changing this right would require either a constitutional amendment or a significant reinterpretation by the U.S. Supreme Court. The authority to amend the Constitution lies exclusively with Congress and state legislatures, not the President."

CBP One™ does not allow undocumented aliens to schedule appointments and existing appointments have been cancelled. Effective January 20, 2025, the functionalities of CBP One™ that previously allowed undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled. For further inquiries, please contact CBP’s Office of Public Affairs at CBPMediaRelations@cbp.dhs.gov https://lnkd.in/gBA6G_eD Summary from Reuters 1. Trump to declare illegal immigration a national emergency 2. Biden-era legal entry app ends abruptly 3. Civil rights groups likely to challenge legality of Trump moves Shortly after the inauguration, U.S. border authorities said they had shut down outgoing President Joe Biden's CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Existing appointments were canceled, leaving migrants stunned and unsure of what to do. In several Mexican border cities, migrants saw their appointments on Biden's CBP One app canceled just after Trump took office. Some 280,000 people had been logging into the app daily to secure an appointment as of Jan. 7, 2025 https://lnkd.in/gWqxG_UP

Figure could rise as more undocumented workers identified India aiming to ensure citizens continue to obtain H-1B visas https://lnkd.in/g_UcykXR India is working behind the scenes to appease the Trump administration and avoid a trade war with the US. The two countries have together identified some 18,000 illegal Indian migrants in the US to be sent back home. (Mint News) A report published last year (2024) by the US Department of Homeland Security estimated some 220,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants resided in the US as of 2022. https://lnkd.in/gFWACc3B

Important Update for Adjustment of Status Applicants and Immigrant Visa Applicants USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, effective January 22, 2025. Here are the key takeaways: No Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Needed: Adjustment of status applicants are no longer required to submit COVID-19 vaccination proof on Form I-693. No Impact on Application Outcome: USCIS will not reject applications or issue requests for evidence (RFEs), notices of intent to deny (NOIDs), or denials due to lack of vaccination documentation. Consular Processing Clarification: While the USCIS policy change doesn't automatically apply to U.S. immigrant visa applicants, updates from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) are awaited. As of January 23, 2025, the DOS has not revised the 9 FAM required vaccination guidelines. This policy change comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously mandated COVID-19 vaccination for immigrant visa applicants to align with U.S. vaccination criteria and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. COVID-19 vaccination not mandatory For more details, visit: https://lnkd.in/gUruXZci

More lawsuits challenging the #ExecutiveOrder on #BirthrightCitizenship have been filed, with Democratic-led states contesting the order's validity under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. Twenty-two Democratic-led states, along with the #DistrictofColumbia and the city of San Francisco, have initiated legal action in federal courts in Boston and Seattle, alleging constitutional violations by President Trump. Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), immigrant organizations, and an expectant mother have separately filed similar cases immediately after the executive order was signed, marking the onset of a significant legal battle during the early days of the administration. Source: https://lnkd.in/gVdtMjkM Challenging Birthright Citizenship https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gnanamookan-senthurjothi-73a90958_executiveorder-birthrightcitizenship-districtofcolumbia-activity-7287733592430985216-jw4X?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Eric Garcetti concluded his tenure as the 26th U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India. New Delhi, January 20, 2025 https://lnkd.in/gaBkddxr Eric Garcetti concluded his tenure as the 26th U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India. New Delhi, January 20, 2025 https://lnkd.in/gaBkddxr Garcetti concluded his tenure https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gnanamookan-senthurjothi-73a90958_ericgarcetti-usambassadorindia-usconsularmissionindia-activity-7287874951045431296-nEFu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Consular Sections Holidays 2025 Throughout India! This includes consular services, including 221(g) appointments and documents pick-up or drop-off across consular posts in India and VACs / Pick-up / Drop-Off locations : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gnanamookan-senthurjothi-73a90958_usimmigration-immigration-usconsularmissionindia-activity-7287874422391115776-3CTP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

"This is a blatantly unconstitutional order." A federal judge in Seattle on Jan 23, 2025 issued a temporarily temporary restraining order against the executive order signed by President Donald Trump that significantly limited eligibility for birthright citizenship. "I have been on the bench for over four decades," said Judge Coughenour. "I can't remember another case where the question presented is as clear as it is here. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order." Coughenour's order temporarily enjoins Trump and any federal employee from enforcing or implementing the executive order for 14 days, until Feb. 6, 2025 when the judge scheduled a hearing to consider issuing a preliminary injunction against the order. https://lnkd.in/gUUDPurQ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gnanamookan-senthurjothi-73a90958_usimmigration-immigration-immigrationnews-activity-7288452816761761792--5VX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android Trump's Plan to End Birthright Citizenship