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Monday, September 25, 2006
USCIS Issues Notice of Expansion of I-485 Pilot Program - 09/25/06
On September 21, 2006, USCIS announced that it is expanding a pilot program that changes filing procedures for aliens submitting Form I-485 based on a family relationship, the diversity visa lottery, or qualification for most special immigrant categories. (71 FR 55206, 9/21/06) Under the expanded pilot program, affected aliens residing within the jurisdiction of the Dallas District Office, El Paso District Office, or Oklahoma City Sub-Office will be required to file in person at the appropriate local office, rather than by mail, after self-scheduling an appointment using Internet-based InfoPass. [ more ]
DOS Announces 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration - 09/25/06
The DOS announced that applications for the 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 12 pm EST and Sunday, December 3, 2006, 12 pm EST. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form online. Paper entries will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter since heavy demand may result in website delays. For additional information, including a list of countries whose natives are and are not eligible for this year's diversity program, see the DOS press release below. [ more ]
Monday, September 18, 2006
Attorney Steven N. Garmo attends Investors & Traders Seminar covering Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visas (E-1/E-2 & EB-5) - 09/18/06
On Sepetmeber 16, 2006, Attorney Steven Garmo attended the Investors & Traders: Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visas in Los Angles Presented by the Immigration Law Section. The Program Information included regulatory requirements for Treaty Trader/Investor applications and extensions, and investment-based immigrant visa petitions. Speakers provided suggestions on presenting successful application packages and USCIC officers from the California Service Centers shared their perspective on non-immigrant and immigrant investor issues. [ more ]
Friday, September 15, 2006
State Department Issues October 2006 Visa Bulletin - 09/15/06
DOS warns in its October 2006 Visa Bulletin that DV visa numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. Employment 2nd visas for India are now available to applicants with a priority date earlier than June 15, 2002. Employment Other Workers visas are now available for all chargeability areas for applicants with a priority date earlier than January 1, 2001. The October Visa Bulletin is available to the left under the Proc. Times.
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Department of Labor (DOL) Updates Website Content on Backlog Elimination Centers - 09/15/06
The DOL has updated its website to include an on-line BEC case status system, a new FAQ on the case status system, and a new FAQ for cases for which there has been no contact from a BEC. A link to the updated site is available below. [ more ]
House Passes Secure Fence Act of 2006 - 09/15/06
The House passed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (H.R. 6061) this afternoon by a vote of 283-138, authorizing the first in a series of border security initiatives House leaders intend to push through before the November elections. H.R. 6061 calls for the construction of 700 miles of 2-layered reinforced fencing, as well as other barriers and surveillance equipment, along specified regions of the U.S.-Mexico border. It also requires DHS to achieve "operational control," defined as prevention of all unlawful entries over land and maritime borders; to conduct a study on security along the northern border; and to evaluate the authority and ability of Customs and Border Protection personnel to stop fleeing vehicles that enter the U.S. unlawfully. [ more ]
USCIS Memorandum of Agreement on Issuance of NTAs - 09/15/06
AILA has obtained a copy of a memorandum, dated July 11, 2006, and issued by Michael Aytes, USCIS Associate Director, Domestic Operations, advising the field of a June 2006 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ICE regarding the issuance of NTAs during a USCIS adjudication and otherwise handling of cases in which the beneficiary or applicant appears to be removable, including where benefit applications have been denied. The MOA addresses the following categories of cases: egregious public safety cases; other criminal cases; cases where an NTA is prescribed by regulation; cases denied based on fraud; and all other cases. It does not cover national security cases; TPS and asylum cases; or VAWA cases. [ more ]
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
DHS Updates the Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirement Traveler Guide - 09/13/06
DHS updated the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Passport Requirement Traveler Guide, which clarifies changes in passport and e-Passport requirements for visitors traveling to the U.S as part of the VWP. Any passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be an e-Passport for travelers to be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. E-Passports are not required until the traveler's existing passport expires in the following cases: a VWP traveler with a valid, machine-readable passport with a digital photograph where the photograph was issued prior to October 26 and a VWP traveler with a valid, machine-readable passport without a digital photograph where the passport was issued prior to October 26, 2006. [ more ]
USCIS Limitations on I-140 Premium Processing - 09/13/06
USCIS has posted new, previously unannounced, limitations on the circumstances under which premium processing can be used for employment-based immigrant petitions. Premium Processing Service is available for the certain Form I-140 classifications provided that the case does not involve: a second filing of a Form I-140 petition while an initial Form I-140 remains pending; Labor Certification substitution requests; and duplicate Labor Certification requests (i.e., cases filed without an original labor certification from the DOL). USCIS explained that it is prescribing these additional conditions of availability because of their special processing requirements, including locating and transferring other files or documents internally and requesting initial evidence from an outside agency, that make it difficult for USCIS to guarantee that it will process the case within a 15 calendar day period. [ more ]
USCIS Guidance on Processing of I-765 Applications - 09/13/06
This is a summary of a memorandum discussing elimination of local issuance of I-688B Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) by October 1, 2006, and procedures effective September 1, 2006, for processing of interim EAD applications. [ more ]
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Wave American: marches planned across the nation to highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform - 09/03/06
Organizers have announced plans to march in Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Washington, D.C. and across the nation to highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform We encourage immigrants - undocumented and otherwise - who have joined the American labor force to proudly wave the American flag at rallies nationwide to emphasize the overwhelming positive contributions of immigrants to the US. [ more ]
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Arrested 109 Foreign Nationals in Las Vegas - 09/03/06
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested 109 foreign nationals in Las Vegas, NV during a six day initiative ending August 29, 2006. The arrests were carried out as part of ICE’s nationwide Operation Return to Sender program. [ more ]
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