Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security on Immigration Reform in Congress

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

“I am pleased by the work of the bi-partisan group of United States Senators to reform and modernize our nation’s immigration laws. The introduction of this legislation is an important step that reflects significant momentum toward building the 21st century immigration system that our nation needs.

Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) System

Question details

USCIS sent an RFE for my H-1B petition and indicated that they have attempted to validate the company or organization in its Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) system. What is this?

USCIS has indicated that VIBE allows USCIS to electronically receive commercially available information from an Immigrant Investor Program (IIP), currently Dun and Bradstreet (D&B), about apetitioning company or organization.  This information includes:
•    Business activities, such as type of business (North American IndustryClassification Systemcode), trade payment information, and status (active or inactive)
•    Financial standing, including sales volume and credit standing
•    Number of employees, both on-site and globally

USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunity

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the availability of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity which promotes immigrant civic integration and prepares permanent residents for citizenship. The program will provide nearly $10 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. Applications are due by May 22, 2013.

Statement by the President on Commonsense Immigration Reform

This afternoon, Senators Schumer and McCain briefed me on the bipartisan immigration reform bill that they have drafted with their colleagues in the Senate. This bill is clearly a compromise, and no one will get everything they wanted, including me. But it is largely consistent with the principles that I have repeatedly laid out for comprehensive reform. This bill would continue to strengthen security at our borders and hold employers more accountable if they knowingly hire undocumented workers.