Texas Service Center Launches I-485 Notification Pilot Program

The Texas Service Center (TSC) recently launched a pilot program pursuant to which employment-based I-485 applicants can facilitate TSC processes relating to specific stages of the employment-based adjustment of status.  A special email address has been designated for this purpose: ebupdate.tsc@nulldhs.gov.

Procedure and Process

Notification of AC21 Change of Employer
I-485 applicants who wish to change employer and retain their adjustment process pursuant to AC21 are advised to follow the following steps:

1. Identify only one applicant in a single e-mail. E -mails must pertain to applicants whose I-485s have been pending for 180 or more days and who are eligible for AC21 porting.
2. Send an email to: EBUPDATE.Tsc@nulldhs.gov.
3. On the subject line,  write “EB I-485/AC21.” (Example: EB I-485/AC21)
4. In the text of the email, provide: A-number, old employer’s name and new employer’s name.  Attach a copy of the new employer’s letter of employment. The letter must identify the following information: the new employer, the letter’s author and his/her job title, the applicant’s new job title, start date of new employment, hours per week, salary, and specific description of the duties to be performed.
5. If the applicant has more than one A-number, they should be typed on the same line separated by a “/”. (Example: All 1222333 I A444555666). If there are multiple family members, they should be typed  all on the same line separated by commas. (Example: AIII222333, A222333444, A444555666). You should also indicate which of the A-numbers is that of the principal I-485 applicant / I I-140 beneficiary.

Notification When an Applicant Has Multiple I-140s With Available Priority Dates

Notification When Applicant is Eligible for Cross-Country Chargeability

Applicants who are eligible to obtain chargeability under a different country should follow the following procedure:

1. As with the categories described above,  identify only one applicant in a single e-mail. E-mails should pertain to applicants whose I-485s are currently eligible for processing because the applicant is entitled to receive a cross-charged priority date from a qualifying family member under Section 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
2. Send an email to: EBUPDATE.Tsc@nulldhs.gov
3. On the subject line, write “I-485/ CC”
4. In the text of the email,  provide A-numbers, including the A-number of the I-485 applicant who will acquire the current priority date from the qualifying family member, and the country of cross chargeability. Also include the A-number of the family member who will confer the current priority date.  If the applicant who is to receive the cross-charged priority date has more than one A-number, or if there are multiple family members,  the instructions described above under AC 21 portability apply.

Notification of Case in Need of Transfer

Applicants can also notify TSC of cases which are in need of transfer.  The procedure is as follows:

1. Identify only one applicant in a single e-mail. E-mails must pertain to applicants whose I-485s are eligible for processing because the priority date of another petition relating to the I-485 applicant (such as an I-130) has a visa available.
2. Send an email to: EBUPDATE.Tsc@nulldhs.gov
3. On the subject line,  write “Transfer”.
4. In the text of the email, provide A-numbers or receipt numbers and the office to which the I-485 should be transferred. If the applicant has more than one A-number, or if there are multiple family members please follow the instructions described above under the AC 21 portability instructions.

Conclusion
TSC’s pilot notification program is a great idea; however, its success will depend on how well TSC will respond to legitimate notifications send to them via the new email address and how well TSC will advise applicants who use the notification tool of the status and progress of their request.  We will continue monitoring this pilot program and using it with selected clients who can benefit from it and will provide further updates on the pilot program’s usefulness.