Next Steps On DOMA And FAQ's From The State Department (DOS)
UNCLASSIFIED
STATE
00112850
AUG 13
SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS ON DOMA
GUIDANCE FOR POSTS
Applications for Immigration Benefits and Naturalization Monthly Statistical Reports - June 2013
The "Applications for Immigration Benefits" monthly charts listed below provide data on applications and petitions received by USCIS for immigration benefits. These charts exclude all data associated with the citizenship-related applications.
The "Naturalization Benefits" monthly charts listed below provide data on the Applications for Naturalization (Form N-400) received by USCIS as of April 2013.
DOL Issues Clarification on L Visa Fees and Reciprocity Fees
- State department's cable clarifies how reciprocity fees are affected when consular officers collect anti-fraud fees and border security fees.
- Please check attached file.
Radio Show, 2013, August 1, Immigration Reform, H-1, H-4, Green Card and Naturalization
Citizenship and Naturalization
Immigration Law
Green Card
Student Visa and Employment
If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas.
You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:
Reminder on Priority Dates Movement
The August Visa Bulletin http://www.immigration.com/visa-bulletin shows good priority dates movement:
. India EB-2 advances from 2004 to 2008
. According to the visa bulletin there is a positive move for both spouses and children of permanent residents. Family-Based 2A category will be current for all countries as of August 1st.
. Green card holders and their spouses residing legally in the US should be able to file their I-485 packets in August
DOL Publishes Updated Factsheet for Quarter 3 FY 2013
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has posted updated program factsheets containing the Quarter 3 FY 2013 selected statistics for the Permanent Labor Certification Program,
USCIS Form Improvements Initiative
Easy-to-Use Formats: We are publishing many of our forms in a 2-column, Adobe fillable format. When completed electronically, this format restricts incorrect entries and provides informational pop-up boxes to assist customers.
User-Friendly Look and Feel: We have improved several of our naturalization forms to include clear and comprehensive instructions in plain language.
PERM Processing Times (as of 07/1/2013)
PERM Processing Times (as of July 1, 2013)
| Processing Queue | Priority Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | |
| Analyst Reviews | January 24 | 2013 |
| Audit Review | July 31 | 2012 |
| Reconsideration Requests to the CO | July 1 | 2013 |
| Gov't Error Reconsiderations | Current | |