On June 25, 1998, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) met by teleconference with the staff from the INS Headquarters Office of Naturalization Operations (ONO) and the Service Center Directors. 

Change of status to H-1B

First, ONO and the Service Center Directors reminded AILA that the 60-day F-1 grace period and the 30-day J-1 grace period only apply to those individuals who complete their programs.  In addition, INS will approve a change of status to H-1B with a start date of October 1, 1998 if the alien's F-1 program grace period starts on or after August 1 or the J-1 program grace period starts on or after September 1.  ONO and the Service Center Directors announced that any H-1B petitions pending at the time the cap was met will to continue to be held and H-1B petitions for an October 1 start date will begin to be processed soon.

Fingerprinting

Automatic scheduling of fingerprinting at Area Service Centers for adjustment of status applicants will not begin for about another month. Aging out cases will still be scheduled manually.

Adjustment Applicant Relocation

If a person with a pending adjustment of status application moves to another jurisdiction during the pending of the application, the original Service Center will continue to process the application.  If an interview at a District Office is required, then the file will be transferred to the District Office having jurisdiction over the applicant's new place of residence.

Vermont Service Center

During the week of July 13, 1998, the Vermont Service Center will be conducting an internal move of personnel, furniture and fixtures.  This could increase the processing time for all applications.