Introduction
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.
Jan. 18, 2011
Recent GAO report also cites improvements to the E-Verify Program
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, has identified 53 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs for the coming year. |
USCIS is offering three competitive grant funding opportunities designed to help prepare permanent residents for citizenship and promote immigrant integration in the United States.
[Federal Register: January 20, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 13)]
[Notices]
[Page 3637-3638]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ja11-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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Please see the links below for information on TVU.
Recording of the calls regarding the Tri-Valley University issues:
http://www.immigration.com/free-community-conference-calls
Forum dedicated to the Tri-Valley issues:
http://forums.immigration.com/forumdisplay.php?328-Tri-Valley-University-and-Related-Issues
The Department has published in the Federal Register a Final Rule on the Wage Methodology for Temporary Non-agricultural Employment in the H-2B Program. The Final Rule revises the methodology by which the Department calculates the prevailing wages to be paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with a temporary labor certification. The Final Rule is effective for wages paid for all work performed on or after January 1, 2012.
The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. During the last decade, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed more than 6.6 million naturalized citizens into the fabric of our nation. In fiscal year 2010, approximately 676,000 individuals were naturalized
The poverty guidelines are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The poverty guidelines may be used as soon as they are published in the Federal Register each year — usually about mid-February — unless a program has chosen to make them effective at a later date.
USCIS interim memo for comment providing field guidance on the eligibility for members of the National Guard to naturalize under section 329 of the INA. Comments are due 2/10/11. The memo is in effect until further notice.
For detail please check the attachment.
Please check the attachment to view CRS report.
Guidance on L Visas and Specialized Knowledge
Reference Document:
STATE 002016, 01/11
1. The following guidance is in response to a request [redacted] for specific guidelines for L visa adjudications, particularly in regard to evaluating claims of "specialized knowledge," and will be useful to all posts. There is a concern about the potential for inconsistent adjudicatory standards at different constituent posts and clear standards would allow for more consistent adjudication.
This memorandum provides guidance regarding implementation of the provisions of Public Law 111-230 that increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. The additional fee applies to petitioners that employ 50 or more employees in the United States with more than 50% of their employees in the United States in H-1B or L-1A or L-1B nonimmigrant status. Petitioners meeting those criteria must submit the additional fee with an H-1B or L-1 petition filed.
[Federal Register: January 28, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 19)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5058-5061]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ja11-2]
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We won a case for National Interest Waiver a Microbiologist holding a Ph.D., 12 publications and over ten years research experience. We were able to provide evidence of a strong national interest through numerous letters of recommendation from leading scientists. This applicant had an international reputation in his field.
We won a case for Alien of Extraordinary Ability a Mathematician holding a Doctorate of Mathematical Science, numerous “invited” publications and presentations as well as several prestigious international awards. We were able to provide evidence of extraordinary ability through letters of recommendation from leading mathematicians around the world. This applicant had strong support from the U.S. government and industry.
We won a case for Alien of Extraordinary Ability in environmental sciences with 9 publications, numerous “invited” committee memberships, a judge of the work of many other leading scientists and considered one of the leading experts in his field. We were able to provide evidence to show that his work was innovative and pioneering.
We won a case for Outstanding Researcher a Cellular and Molecular Biologist with 8 prestigious awards, professional society memberships and multiple letters of recommendation from leading scientists. We were able to provide evidence to show extensive contributions to the field of cancer research.
We won a case for Outstanding Researcher a Physicist with 11 years research experience. He had 17 publications, a Ph.D. in solar cell research and numerous letters of recommendation from leading scientists around the world. His skills were noted by experts as being scarce in the field .
We won a case for Outstanding Researcher for applicant with 12 years of field experience as well as multiple years teaching. We were able to provide 14 letters of recommendation. The applicant had 14 publications in prestigious international journals. Experts in the field described candidate as “one of the few to reach the very top of the field.”
This applicant was a data recovery specialist under contract with the U.S. government providing critical skills to a high-level project. It was noted by referees that his knowledge and background were rare and greatly needed in the interest of our national defense. We provided documentation of his academic achievements as well as additional specialized training.
We won this case for an applicant with expertise in computer science utilizing his skills in the development of e-Government. His work was considered pioneering worldwide. We provided evidence that he was frequently called upon to present his work. He also served on numerous program committees.
We won this case for an applicant with five years research experience. The applicant was able to secure a very strong letter from the National Science Foundation director which detailed the innovative and pioneering work of the applicant. It was noted that his skills were critical for an initiative developed by the Foundation. We also offered evidence of his strong Ph.D. work as well as his publication record.