USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Earlier known as INS. USCIS is responsible for providing immigration benefits to applicants. Homepage http://wwww.uscis.gov

USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2013 Beginning April 2, 2012

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 cap on Monday April 2, 2012. Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS takes possession of a properly filed petition with the correct fee. USCIS will not rely upon the date that the petition is postmarked.

USCIS International Operations I-601 Processing Time Report

Processing time encompasses the period starting the date U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received the application and ending the date USCIS notified the applicant of the decision. For applications filed overseas with the Department of State where USCIS does not have a presence, reported processing time does not include time taken to transfer the application from the Department of State to USCIS.

The attachment below shows overseas completion data for Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, for February 2012

USCIS Grants Temporary Extension of Accommodation for Sheepherders in H-2A Status

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it extended an accommodation for H-2A workers in the sheepherding industry to transition to the three-year limitation of stay requirements. USCIS will require H-2A sheepherders who have reached their maximum three-year period of stay to depart the United States by Aug. 16, 2012, and remain outside the country for at least three months before petitioning for H-2A classification again.

USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunity

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the availability of a competitive grant opportunity designed to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. This year’s program will offer approximately $5 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.

USCIS Director Discusses Strategic Priorities And Initiatives For 2012

Moderator: Edna Ruano, Chief, Office of Communications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
March 15, 2012
11 A.M. EDT

Coordinator: Welcome and thank you for standing by. At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. During the question and answer session, if you’d like to ask a question please press star 1 on your touchtone phone.

Today’s call is being recorded. If you have any objections you may disconnect at this time.

Eligibility to Participate in U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Program Expands in Russia

The U.S. Mission in Russia is pleased to announce an expansion of our current interview waiver program as a part of President Obama’s Executive Order to substantially increase travel and tourism to the United States. Starting immediately, certain applicants who have previously been issued a visa that expired in the past 47 months will be eligible to renew their visa without an interview.