The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently cautioned the public to guard against falling prey to unauthorized practitioners of immigration law, as the government outlined plans to reduce the time US citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouses, children, parents) while those family members are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa to become lawful permanent residents of the United States.
In an effort to correct public misperceptions about the rule-making process and clarify when the provisional unlawful presence waiver process would be taking effect, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a notification cautioned, “the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver is NOT in effect.”
According to the USCIS, “the provisional unlawful presence waiver will not be available to potential applicants until an effective date is specified in the final rule USCIS will publish later this year in the Federal Register.”
USCIS warns against sending, “an application requesting a provisional waiver at this time,” adding, “USCIS cannot accept requests for a provisional waiver until the process change takes effect.”
Urging the population to “protect yourself and your family against unauthorized practitioners and immigration scams by visiting www.uscis.gov/avoidscams,” USCIS issued a word of caution saying, “Beware of notarios, or other individuals who are not authorized to practice immigration law, who claim they can help you get a provisional waiver. These individuals also may ask you to pay them money up front to file an application for a provisional waiver.” (IATNS)