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 On the one-year anniversary of implementing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds U.S.-bound travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries of the ESTA requirement. Beginning January 20, CBP will initiate a 60-day transition to enforced ESTA compliance for air carriers; VWP travelers without an approved ESTA may not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound plane.

On Jan. 18, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State (DOS), today announced a humanitarian parole policy allowing orphaned children from Haiti to enter the United States temporarily on an individual basis to ensure that they receive the care they need—as part of the U.S. government’s ongoing support of international recovery efforts after last week’s earthquake.

[Federal Register: January 19, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 11)]
[Notices]
[Page 2879-2880]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ja10-63]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2009-0162]

RIN 1601-ZA08

Identification of Foreign Countries Whose Nationals Are Eligible To Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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Tips for filing form I-821, the application for Temporary Protected Status.

Release Date: January 15, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Release Date: January 15, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Rule Formalizes Longstanding Policy to Expedite Citizenship for Service Men and Women

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the publication of a rule formalizing DHS' longstanding policy to expedite and streamline the citizenship process for men and women bravely serving in America's armed forces.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated guidance to adjudication officers to clarify what constitutes a valid employer-employee relationship to qualify for the H-1B ‘specialty occupation’ classification.  The memorandum clarifies such relationships, particularly as it pertains to independent contractors, self-employed beneficiaries, and beneficiaries placed at third-party worksites.

Perm processing times  as of 12/31/2009.

This Visa Bulletin is for February 2010.

The next USCIS National Stakeholder meeting will be held on January 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Tomich Center, 111 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington D.C. 20529.  Suggested agenda items for this meeting are due by COB January 6, 2010.