What does "portability" refer to in the context of immigration petitions?

In the context of immigration petitions, "portability" specifically refers to the ability of an individual, usually an employment-based immigrant, to change employers while still maintaining the validity of their immigration petition. This concept is particularly relevant for those who are under the same employment-based category and have filed or have an approved petition. Portability allows these individuals to switch jobs without losing their status or having to restart their immigration process, as long as the new job is similar to the original job for which the petition was filed.

This flexibility is crucial for workers in the U.S. labor market, as it provides them with the opportunity to seek better employment prospects without being constrained by their immigration circumstances. The other options do not accurately represent the specific nature of portability. For example, transferring benefits between states does not relate directly to the individual's immigration status or petition, and adjusting status without an interview is an entirely different procedural aspect of immigration processing. Similarly, the requirement for submitting new documentation is not tied to the concept of portability but rather to the broader process of maintaining immigration compliant status.