AILA/SCOPS Practice Pointer: I-485 Filings for Ordained Ministers

As of October 1, 2009, Employment-based Fourth Preference immigrant visas will be available again for ordained ministers. (AILA Doc. No 09091061) (The classification for non-ordained religious workers sunsets September 30, 2009.) Since I-360 approval notices do not show the distinction between the two types of classifications, AILA members filing I-485 applications for ordained ministers are encouraged to highlight eligibility for filing by boldly marking a cover sheet "ORDAINED MINISTER" and elsewhere within the filing drawing attention to the classification, so that the filing will be accepted for adjudication.