The MacKenzie Law Firm where we practice exclusively in the area of U.S. Immigration law

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Dear Clients:

Per Chapter 13, section II.A, 8.e. Medical Disability Waiver
*Generally* - Persons who are physically or developmentally disabled or have a mental impairment are exempt from the English language and history and government requirements.

If you wish to naturalize and become a US citizen, but you are struggling with the English language and civics requirement, we can assist you to obtain a waiver of the English eligibility requirement. DHS will waive the English requirement if we can document that you have a medical or psychological reason for being unable to complete the test.

Deferred Action Recipients

Deferred Action recipients can file renewals up to five months prior to expiry. Our office recommends highly for renewals to be filed as close as possible to the five month mark or there is a chance there will be a lapse in legal status.

Currently is it taking between two to six months for USCIS to process Deferred Action renewals. With initial Deferred Action applications, it is taking an estimated eight months for USCIS to process the case.

If you have Deferred Action and are married to a USC/LPR, please schedule an appointment with our office to discuss Advance Parole.

Internationally Recognized Athlete P-1 Visa
The P-1 classification applies to you if you are coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition and an athlete, individually or as part of a group or team, at an internationally recognized level of performance.
Individual Athletes Eligibility Criteria
You must be coming to the United States to participate in individual event, competition or performance in which you are internationally recognized with a high level of achievement; evidence by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered so that the achievement is renowned, leading or well known in more than one country.
Athletic Teams Eligibility Criteria
You must be coming to the United States to participate in team events and must have achieved significant international recognition in the sport. The event in which your team is participating must be distinguished and require the participation of athletic teams of international recognition.

Update on amount of time for case processing times based on MLF recent approvals from date:

Under the current administration - all immigrant cases are taking two (2) to three (3) months longer than before. There is nothing wrong with the cases. Immigration has been flooded with an over-abundance of application requests, and it is just taking them time to get through them all.

Receipts normally would take 15 days to receive acknowledgement, it is now taking up to 30 days.
Bio-metrics are taking a month and a half up to two (2) months to process, rather than only a month.
Interviews could possibly take up to six (6) months to happen.
Naturalization: 6 - 8 months
I-130 Family Petitions:
- Spouse - 6 - 8 months
- Child - 9 months
- Brother/Sister - 6 - 8 months
DACA
- Renewal - 3 - 4 months
- First Time - 8 months
- Travel Doc - 6 - 9 months
Adjustment of Status: 6 - 8 months
DS 260 Consular Processing: 2 - 3 months
601A Waivers: 8 - 10 months

May 2017 Visa Bulletin

The visa bulletin for May 2017 is now issued. Please access it at:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-???MAY???-2017.html