SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING IN TRUMP’S PRESIDENTIAL ERA.
by Rabindra Singh
All foreign nationals are required to keep the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informed of their current address. This is particularly important when foreign national submits an application/petition on his/her own or employer submits an application/petition on foreign national’s behalf under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and expects a notification of a decision on that application, petition, or request.
Why It Is Imperative To Comply?
A willful failure to give written notice to the USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of moving to the new address is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, the foreign national (or the parent or legal guardian of a foreign national under 14 years of age who is required to give notice) can be fined up to $200 or imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. The foreign national may also be subject to removal from the United States. See INA Section 266(b). Compliance with the requirement to notify the USCIS of any address change is also a condition of foreign national’s stay in the United States. Failure to comply could also jeopardize foreign national’s ability to obtain a future visa or other immigration benefit.