This year's March Visa Bulletin reveals advancements in the Final Action Dates of all employment-based categories except EB-3 India. Notably, the Final Action Date for EB-2 China advanced by five months from March 1, 2012 to August 1, 2012, and EB-3 China from October 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013. While only slight advancements are seen in the Final Action Dates of all family-sponsored categories except F1 Philippines, and F2B and F4 Mexico, which remained stagnant, USCIS information on family-sponsored cases that in March, family-sponsored applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart, rather than the Final Action Dates chart, to determine when to file an adjustment of status application.

The Houston Press recently ran the story of a Houston Chef who was detained for weeks after an international trip. The individual was a Permanent Resident, but was detained due to a misdemeanor assault charge. The government argued that he was not eligible for bond because he was returning from international travel - a technical legal issue many permanent residents are unaware of. Criminal charges (even those that are pled down to misdemeanor-level offenses or dismissed - can create problems for any non-U.S.-citizen who travels out of the country. It is important for anyone who wants to travel internationally to consult with an experienced, specialized immigration attorney before traveling internationally or even within 100 miles of an international border.

The U.S. Department of State has issued the December 2015 Visa Bulletin. Of note:

The Department of State has released the April 2015 visa bulletin. Notably, EB-3 Rest-of-World has moved up to October 1, 2014.

Kathryn N. Karam's latest article in Lebanon Times Magazine on how delays in implementing immigration reform may stall economic growth.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will extend its designation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status program for another 18 months, until May 2, 2016.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be extended for 18 months, through May 2, 2016.

Read the article explaining why You Don't Have to be an Expert - You Just Have to Know One!

See p. 55 of the May edition of of Lebanon Times magazine for Kathryn Karam's latest article .