USCIS

Introduction

These Questions and Answers provide basic information about the general vaccination requirements for immigrants (including individuals seeking adjustment of status), and specifically about the assessment made by the civil surgeon to determine whether an applicant meets the vaccination requirements. These Questions and Answers do not address the vaccination assessments conducted by panel physicians overseas.

For refugees only, health departments may be considered a civil surgeon for purposes of completing the vaccination record.

USCIS, provides guidance on the continuous residence exception for naturalization applicants who worked as translators or interpreters in Iraq or Afghanistan, pursuant to Section 1059(e) of the NDAA FY06.

Please check attachment for guidance memo.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2010.  USCIS is hereby notifying the public that Dec. 21, 2009 is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2010. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced revised addresses for applicants filing an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) at USCIS Lockbox facilities in Phoenix and Dallas.  This filing address change takes effect immediately. 

SAIPAN, CNMI— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds aliens living in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to apply for Advance Parole before traveling abroad if they do not otherwise have U.S. lawful permanent resident status or an appropriate U.S. visa (NOT a visa for “B” visitor admission only).  Advance Parole is permission to re-enter the United States after traveling outside the United States, and allows people lawfully living and working in the CNMI during the period ending Nov.

People with CNMI permits should no longer use Visa Waiver or B Visa

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the intent to end U nonimmigrant interim relief program. The U nonimmigrant interim relief program was created to allow certain crime victims to receive temporary benefits until the regulations governing U visas were published.

Please see the attached memorandum released by the USCIS on Dec 10,09.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises anyone who lives in the CNMI who is submitting an immigration application to list their Post Office Box where the immigration form asks for a street or physical address.  This is very important as applications that do not use P.O. Boxes are being returned to the USCIS office.

Fiscal Year 2010 H-1B Cap Count