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The Many Faces of Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman LLP

Since 1985,Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman has limited its practice to immigration law, with a special emphasis on matters relating to the employment of foreign professionals. Mr. Stern and Ms. Elkind founded the firm with the goal of providing the very best immigration advice and representation to our clients. As the firm has grown, we have continued our commitment to maintaining a high level of expertise combined with an understanding that our clients are individuals whose lives are deeply affected by the work we do. Over the years, we have developed expertise and wide-ranging experience in all facets of immigration law.

We continue to be deeply affected by our clients, some of whom are introduced within this web site.

I-130s To Be Adjudicated Only When Visa Numbers Available

July 16, 2004

USCIS has announced that it is now processing all Form I-130, Petitions for Alien Relative, as visa numbers become available. Filing and approval of an I-130 relative petition is only the first step in helping a relative immigrate to the United States. Eligible family members must wait until there is a visa number available before they can apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident. This process will allow USCIS to concentrate resources first on cases where visas are actually available. USCIS states that this process should not delay the ability of one's relative to apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.

Refer to www.state.gov/travel to determine current visa availability dates. If you have filed an I-130 petition that is currently pending, USCIS will adjudicate your petition based upon visa availability which means that the estimated processing time listed on your receipt notice may no longer be accurate. If you are a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident and plan to file a petition for a qualifying relative, you are encouraged to file as soon as you are eligible in order to establish your relatives place in line even if the petition may not be decided for some time to come. Upon filing, USCIS will send you a receipt that will establish a place in line for a visa called a "priority date". USCIS will adjudicate your Form I-130 prior to visa availability or within six months if a visa is immediately available upon filing.

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