Visas from US Consular Sections in Thailand and 171 Countries Cancelled

This USCIS regulatory change is billed as a cost-cutting measure.  Democrats Abroad is delving into this issue to find more concrete information to provide members with regard to this critical rule before it goes into effect.  Democrats Abroad has a long-standing commitment  to simplifying the path to citizenship and legal permanent residency for non-American spouses and close family members.  

Approximately 10,000 Americans living abroad would be immediately impacted by this ruling. According to Immigration lawyers http://www.pattayalawyers.com/  this process will go from weeks to quite possibly years for those Americans who reside in the 172 countries that do not have USCIS offices.  Until Aug. 15^th, petitioners will be able to submit petitions through local Consular officials—after that date, all petitions would have to be sent to the USCIS Chicago address.

For those intending to return to the US with their non-American spouses and children in the next year they should consult with a qualified US Immigration attorney before August 15^th for information on how this Rules change impacts them.

The official USCIS comment period for this change, announced in the Federal Register, ended July 18.  However, if US citizens wish to contact their US Representative or US Senator in this regard please do so.  Despite the end of the formal comment period, the main office of USCIS can also be contacted.  For more information on this issue be sure to join the Immigration Group on our website. Feel free to share this information with other Americans.