New Resources
New USCIS Fee Rule & the Impact on Survivor-based Immigration Relief
On August 3, 2020, USCIS published the final fee rule which is set to go into effect on October 2, 2020. This new rule increases the fees for commonly used forms as well as limits the criteria for fee waivers. This advisory discusses the provisions of the rule most relevant to survivor-based formsof immigration relief…
Read MoreALERT: Upcoming Changes to USCIS I-765 & I-765WS Forms
In an effort to help our members avoid filing rejections for work authorization applications, we want to make sure everyone is aware of the upcoming changes to the I-765 and I-765WS forms. USCIS has updated Forms I-765 and I-765WS. The new editions of the Application for Employment Authorization and Worksheet will go into effect on August 25, 2020. The new I-765 and I-765WS will go…
Read MoreASISTA Practice Pointer: Filing Form I-290B When Multiple Interrelated Forms are Denied (July 2020)
When a petitioner files multiple interrelated forms for one case, such as a U visa, the denial of one form generally leads to the denial of all ancillary forms as well. In this practice pointer, we will address how many Form I-290Bs to file in this scenario, whether derivatives need to file their own Form…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Practice Pointer: Initial Filings of U/T visa petitions and VAWA self-petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (Current as of May 12, 2020)
In this practice advisory, ASISTA provides practice tips on how to comply with deadlines and submit initial filings during the COVID-19 national emergency. Click here to download the practice pointer in Word version. This project is supported by Grant No. 2017-TA-AX-K061 awarded by the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. The…
Read MoreNew ASISTA COVID-19 Practice Pointer (Current as of April 10, 2020)
While we continue to advocate and await further guidance, we have prepared this Practice Pointer, Filing Deadlines for RFEs, NOIDs, NOIRs and I-290Bs, to assist you in meeting deadlines during this national emergency. We encourage you to also visit ASISTA’s COVID-19 Resource Page and that of our partners, CLINIC and CAST.
Read MoreCurrent Job Opportunity: Executive Director
ASISTA (https://asistahelp.org) is looking for a new Executive Director following the retirement of its co-founder and Executive Director, Gail Pendleton, in the fall of 2020. ASISTA’s mission is to advance the dignity, rights, and liberty of immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Executive Director will report to ASISTA’s 7-member Board of Directors. ASISTA…
Read MoreASISTA Practice Pointer: What If You Do Not Received an RFE or Denial Notice? (March 2020)
In this practice pointer, ASISTA addresses what to do if your case was denied as abandoned because you did not respond to an RFE that was never received. In the Appendix, we include a sample keystroke FOIA request and redacted keystroke FOIA response. Click here to download the document in Word version.
Read MoreUpdated Advisory: Blank Spaces on Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
ASISTA has updated its practice advisory regarding U visa application rejections due to blank spaces on the Form I-918 and I-918A. This updated advisory has filing practice pointers, as well as suggestions for re-filing rejected forms. As this is an emerging issue, please keep ASISTA informed of any new trends not addressed in this advisory.…
Read MoreSafe Horizon and ASISTA File FOIA Request Seeking Immigration Policy Data Related to U-Visa Adjudications
(New York, February 25, 2020) – Safe Horizon and ASISTA have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immigration policy data on the adjudication of U-visa petitions and adjustment of status (permanent residence) applications for those granted U visa status. U visas were created…
Read MorePractice Advisory: Tips for Representing U Visa Respondents
ASISTA and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently published a new in-depth practice advisory that contains updates in policy and survivor-based advocacy strategies for U visa applicants at different stages of removal proceedings. This includes strategies for helping U visa applicants with final or prior orders of removal, those currently in removal proceedings, and…
Read MorePractice Update: Implementation of NTA memo on survivor-based cases
In May and June of 2019, some practitioners have reported that USCIS issued a number of NTAs in connection with denied U and T visa applications. Given these reports, ASISTA in conjunction with CAST, Freedom Network USA, American Association of Immigration Lawyers (AILA), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles created…
Read MoreAnnotated Notes: USCIS Q&A on NTA Guidance Implementation
Annotated Notes on NTA Memo Implementation On November 15, 2018, USCIS held a stakeholder engagement call on the implementation of the NTA memo on survivor-based protections. ASISTA, AILA and ILRC compiled these annotated notes and practice pointers based on USCIS’ responses during that stakeholder call.
Read MoreASISTA joins amicus effort for work authorization for pending U visa applicants
ASISTA is proud to share the Amicus Brief related to bona fide work authorization while U visas are pending. The brief was filed in October in the Eastern District of New York. Many thanks to Celso Perez and Kurzban, Kurzban, Weinger, Tetzeli & Pratt for crafting the brief for us, to Julie Carpenter of Tahirih…
Read MorePost-Election Q & A for Advocates and Attorneys Serving Immigrant Survivors of Gender-based Violence
It is important for attorneys and advocates working with immigrant domestic violence/sexual assault survivors to understand what the anticipated changes in immigration policy might mean for the individuals and families they serve. For this reason, this post-election Q &A was prepared to explain how the anticipated changes may effect immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual…
Read MoreAdvisory Committee Report on Family Detention
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Advisory Committee on Family Residential Centers (ACFRC) was established on July 24, 2015, and is comprised of experts in the fields of primary education, detention management, detention reform, immigration law, family and youth services, trauma-informed services, and physical and mental health. ASISTA’s Sonia Parras Konrad was appointed as a…
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