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July 24th, 2008
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Court discusses Ineffective Assistance Rendered by Non-Attorney - 06/27/08
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held that knowing reliance upon the advice of a non-attorney cannot support a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel in removal proceedings. (Hernandez v. Mukasey, 4/30/08). [ more ]
ICE Raids Airline Manufacturer Near Seattle - 06/27/08
ICE raided an aircraft manufacturing plant near Seattle, Washington, arresting 32 employees on administrative immigration violations. [ more ]
USCIS Now Offering Grace Period Following Release of New Form I-9 - 06/27/08
USCIS has revised the Form I-9 page on its website to indicate that it is accepting the “Rev. 6/5/07” edition of the form. USCIS recently released a new edition of Form I-9, dated 6/16/08. [ more ]
Friday, June 13, 2008
FY2009 Cap-Subject H-1B Update - 06/13/08
USCIS Service Center Operations has provided the following information to AILA liaison regarding processing cases under the FY2009 H-1B cap: Except for cases that were being reviewed as potential duplicate filings, all receipts have been issued for those cases selected in the random lottery. The CSC and VSC completed data entry on all selected cases on May 23, 2008, and mailing of all receipts was completed on may 24, 2008. [ more ]
USCIS to Resume Premium Processing for Certain I-140sOn - 06/13/08
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that on June 16, 2008, it will begin accepting Premium Processing Service requests for Forms I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filed on behalf of certain alien workers who are nearing the end of their sixth year in H-1B nonimmigrant status. [ more ]
EB-3 Category Will Become Unavailable: Adjustment Applications to be Accepted Through End of June - 06/13/08
Effective with the July 2008 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 category will become unavailable until October 1, 2008. AILA has confirmed with USCIS SCOPS that adjustment of status applications will continue to be accepted and receipted through the end of June. [ more ]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Important Processing Times Updates for All Service Centers - 06/10/08
USCIS has updated the processing dates for VSC, TSC, NBC, CSC, and NSC. Click the Proc. Times to view. [ more ]
Customs and Border Protection to Issue New Frequent Traveler Cards - 06/10/08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it will issue new cards for current Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection members starting today and members should be receiving them within the next week. The new cards will have enhanced security features and will allow U.S. citizen cardholders to comply with the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. CBP will issue new SENTRI members the enhanced cards in July. All members must activate their cards within 30 days by going to the web. [ more ]
USCIS Centralizes initial Naturalization application processing - 06/10/08
In hopes of increasing efficiency and improving customer service the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it has centralized initial processing of all applications for naturalization (Form-400) at its National Benefits Center in Missouri. [ more ]
U.S. Department of Labor proposes rules to modernize and increase protections under H-2B program - 06/10/08
U.S. Department of Labor last month proposed new rules to modernize the application process and enhance worker protections under the H-2B temporary labor certification program.
The proposed rule would reform the application process so that employers would attest, under threat of fines and other penalties, that they have complied with all the program's requirements. These proposals would alter the current certification process, following a model similar to that adopted in the successful re-engineering of the permanent labor certification program in 2005. [ more ]
Department of Labor Changes to PERM Processing - 06/10/08
This week the U.S. Department of Labor began specializing the work of the two National Processing Centers (NPC’s)—Chicago, which will handle only temporary cases, and Atlanta which will handle only permanent cases. Chicago will be responsible to manage both the TEMP (H-2A & H-2B) and Atlanta will be handling all PERM Applications. In making these changes the DOL expects to improve the administration of both the temporary and the permanent program while eliminating the need to coordinate processing dates for H-2B’s between the two centers. [ more ]
USCIS provides further guidance on regarding extensions of Optional Training Program for Qualified Students - 06/10/08
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released an interim final rule on April 4, 2008, extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension is available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program. [ more ]
Thursday, May 29, 2008
USCIS posted supplemental Q & As to its website regarding the 4/4/08 interim final rule extending optional practical training (OPT) for qualified F-1 nonimmigrant students. - 05/29/08
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released an interim final rule on April 4, 2008, extending the
period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension is available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program. [ more ]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
USCIS Fact Sheet on Iraqi Refugee Processing - 05/21/08
USCIS Fact Sheet on the processing of Iraqi refugees describes the resettlement process and eligibility determination, and also provides information for Iraqis who wish to apply for asylum. Please checkout see the fact sheet for details. [ more ]
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
E-Verify now to utilize data from Naturalized Citizens - 05/20/08
U.S.C.I.S announced that they will begin to implement new information regarding Naturalized Citizens to the E-Verify employment authorization program in hopes that it will reduce the mismatch rate. USCIS hopes that these changes will streamline the effectiveness of E-Verify Notification, and has claimed that these improvements will help to instantly inform employers if their employee is authorized to work in the United States. [ more ]
Are you filing a Notice of Appeal or a Motion with the Immigration office? - 05/20/08
A new version of Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) has been added to the USCIS website. According to USCIS.gov, the new form was effective March 4, 2008 and no prior versions of the form are accepted. USCIS has not provided notice regarding the new version of the form. [ more ]
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
June 2008 Visa Bulletin now available - 05/13/08
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the June 2008 Visa Bulletin on May 12, 2008. Visa Dates are announced by the DOS every month. Only applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date may be allotted a number. Should it become necessary during the monthly allocation process to immediately retrogress a cut-off date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new cut-off date.To view, click on the Proc. Times and then Visa Bulletin.
[ more ]
Are you a Frequent International Travler? CBP Now Accepting Applications for Global Entry Pilot Program - 05/13/08
Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection began processing applications today for the Global Entry pilot program designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent international travelers entering the United States. [ more ]
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