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

WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton  announced a new initiative to streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the United States. The Study in the States initiative is a key component of a government-wide effort to encourage the best and brightest foreign students to study and remain in the U.S.

From: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [mailto:uscis@public.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2011 11:54 AM
To:
Subject: USCIS Office of Public Engagement: Updates on Employment Based Visas and Transformation

Dear Stakeholder-

1) USCIS Announces Use of Fiscal Year 2011 Employment-Based Visa Allocations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the first phase in a series of proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program. Beginning today, Form I-924 applicants will be able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via email in an effort to streamline the process and quickly raise and resolve issues and questions that arise during the adjudication process. 

State Dept. instructions for the year 2013 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This year, natives from South Sudan and Poland are eligible, while Bangladesh natives are ineligible. Entries for the DV-2013 program must be submitted electronically between 10/4/11 and 11/5/11.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule governing the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification.

Currently, certain children present in the United States may be eligible for SIJ status if they are: