The premium processing for H-1B petitions, which allow immigrants to pay an extra fee to get a quick response to their cases, will remain suspended for the next six months, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced. The H-1B visa gives immigrants permission to work legally in the U.S.
The agency said that the temporary suspension, which went into effect April 2, has been extended until Feb. 12, 2019. It had been scheduled to resume in September.
“Over the past few years, USCIS has experienced an increased volume of petitions and a significant surge in premium processing requests,” USCIS spokesman, Michael Bars, explained.
Dem. Rep. Warns Immigration Officers Following “Illegal” Trump Orders
A Democratic lawmaker issued a startling warning to government officials involved in “illegal” deportations that they “will not be safe” from future punishment when Donald Trump is no longer president.
“If you are a U.S. government official and you are deporting Americans be warned,” Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego tweeted. “When the worm turns you will not be safe because you were just following orders. You do not have to take part in illegal acts ordered by this President’s administration.”
Gallego’s comments go beyond those of other Democrats, even those who’ve called for confronting Trump administration officials in public over immigration policies.
Chris Crane, the president of the National ICE Council, which represents thousands of ICE employees, accused Gallego of inciting violence against them as they “enforce the nation’s laws and keep our communities safe.”
