Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
May 14, 2013
The U.S. Department of State offers expedited passport services to U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad this summer, including families going on summer vacations and students participating in study abroad programs. While we urge U.S. citizens to apply as early as possible for their passport needs, the Department offers convenient options for those who need their travel documents sooner than our standard 4-6 week processing time.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28137-28139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11484]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 62
RIN 1400-AD28
[Public Notice 8322]
Exchange Visitor Program--Fees and Charges
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Final rule.
On April 18, USCIS announced the availability of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity which promotes immigrant civic integration and prepares permanent residents for citizenship. Applications are due by May 22, 2013.
Rajiv is a very knowledgeable and conscientious attorney who cares deeply for his clients and their legal issues. His meticulousness is unparalleled and he works tirelessly and diligently to help achieve an appropriate resolution to the matter at hand. I would recommend him to anyone looking for an excellent and experienced immigration attorney.
Thank you for your prompt and highly informative, sensitive reply to my query. I hope my son, Srinivas, will tap into vast expertise and accorded help, and emerge the winner. Thank you. Mrs. Rao
Thank you so much Mr. Khanna and his staff for helping me and my husband in understanding our case. He is a brilliant lawyer and above all an amazing human being. I can't express my appreciation for your work and advise in words. Thanks again, you are the best! MP
We had a short call with Mr. Khanna to evaluate our case under certain category. He was upright honest with his comments and suggested us an approach in our favour. The call was without a charge. I am sure i will take all my actions with his consultations in the future.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today released a joint report on Phase I of the Entry/Exit proof of concept, a commitment of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which outlines progress made to establish a coordinated Entry/Exit information system and further enhance security along our shared border. ( Phase I of the Entry/Exit ) ( Beyond the Border Action Plan )
http://www.voanews.com/content/green-card-lottery-immigration-reform-us…
WASHINGTON — The popular Green Card Lottery program could be eliminated if the U.S. Congress passes the current version of the bipartisan immigration reform plan. The lottery was set up as a way to give anyone a chance at the "American dream." But the new plan will focus instead on adding more highly-educated workers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Two years ago Rafiq-ul-Islam won a U.S. permanent resident visa through the Green Card Lottery and came to the United States from Bangladesh -- with little more than the clothing he owned and a dream of a better life in America.
“I apply for [and] came [to] America. I want to change my luck. If I can change my luck I can support my family, everything, all will be changed, everything like, that’s why I applied,” he said.
The late Senator Edward Kennedy came up with the idea for a visa lottery system in the 1990s -- as a way to give opportunity to European and other countries with low immigration quotas. The lottery program -- officially known as the diversity visa -- is relatively small, granting about 50,000 visas compared to the more than one million new green cards issued each year.
The lucky winners like ul-Islam must pass a background check, but need only a high school degree or work experience to qualify. Immigration attorney Rajiv Khanna says the diversity visa has come to symbolize core American values.
“But United States is blessed and perhaps cursed with that unique vision we have, that we are as a nation, a citizen of the world community. And we have to accommodate certain things in good conscience and good faith rather than as a matter of self-interest,” Khanna said.
But under the proposed immigration reform plan being considered by the U.S. Congress, the diversity visa faces elimination. Instead, the plan would expand opportunities for professionals like Bhushan Parekh who hold advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. Parekh’s H-1B professional visa was sponsored by a major U.S. company.
“Because I had done the engineering in India, the 4-year degree, and I’d also worked in India for a year after. During the interview process it was very apparent to them that I had the management skills they were looking for,” Parekh said.
Some members of Congress oppose eliminating the diversity visa -- saying the U.S. should give some opportunity to the world's poor and disadvantaged. But, in these hard economic times, Khanna says fairness is no longer the priority.
“So diversity by itself is no longer the virtue that we seek in our current immigration system as proposed. What we seek instead is, ‘What can you do for us?,’” Khanna said.
Khanna says while U.S. businesses are lobbying for more professional visas, the poor from developing countries have no such powerful sponsors.
media/green-card-lottery/rajivs-interview-voice-america-us-green-card-lottery-under-threat
I had several pending I-485 application family-based as well as employment based. I withdrew family-based yet I received an interview notice for the same. I was quite concerned about its impact on my remaining GC applications. Mr. Khanna's team had no obligation to provide any counsel, since I was not their client anymore. Yet Mr. Khanna made himself available and provided guidance. Mr. Khanna's law firm offers more than just handling of the legal process... they go above and beyond to create a sense of community and offer a great service to folks dealing with varying immigration circumstances. It was a truly humble gesture on his part and its really comforting to know that you have Mr. Khanna's firm by your side, if needed. Many thanks for all the help... truly appreciated.
My Green Card is approved as of 02/16/2005,I thank all members of Rajiv S Khanna Team specially, Shivane, Heather, Suman and many more they are very professional in their work and I will recommend him for any legal advise regarding GC...thanks
The folks at Mr. Khanna's office did a thoroughly professional job guiding us every step of the way. Prerna, Shivane, Vijay, Diane and everyone else I came in contact with was extremely helpful. I would recommend them to anyone whole heartedly.
I am also one of the happy clients of Rajiv Khanna. I found all the staff promptly helpful and knowledgeable in every aspect of the process. I felt proud and lucky to have my case filed through Rajiv Khanna when my other colleagues who filed their cases with other lawyers didn’t get the same quality services. I sincerely appreciate all of them, especially Prerna. I wish all the best for them.
I am really impressed with the lawyers at Rajiv Khanna, they do everything meticulously and are very supportive.
I am very pleased by the whole experience of my GC process.
My GC was done with the help of Prerna, Richa, Hellen, Shivane, Raksha, Savita and Subha. Hats off to them
The office of Rajiv S. Khanna is absolutely one of the best in the business. If you are looking for quality representation, look no further. This is your firm.
From the Labor Certification through the Green Card process, they were both polite and very professional. They would take time to patiently answer all my questions and address all my concerns.
My sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you especially Jitesh, Shivane, Prerna, Matthew and Subha.
You guys are touching the lives of thousands of people in this country. Keep up the good work.
For ever grateful,
Mr. Rajiv and team are amazing. They really supported our GC processing by all means. The immigration Portal is so informative and helpful in making critical decisions.
Rajiv, Subha, Leila, Suman, Lakshmi, Charu, Prerana, Richa every one were so helpful during the process.
They were consistently supporting during the long process of 3years and 9 months to get our GC.
I wish many more other clients of this company will succeed like us in getting their GC because this talented team help.
Your website has best information available for immigration. Hats of to you and your team for keeping all the information upto date and answering to some of the most complex questions arising from unique situations people pass through in different conditions.
Thanks & keep up the good work.
I got my GC approved (AC 21 case) last week. Mr. Rajiv Khanna and His team represented me through this long process. They were very helpful with their advice, suggestions and timely filings. I would really recommend anyone to use this firm to represent you and you will definitely have peace of mind.
Mr. Khanna successfully represented me in my green card petition for the Outstanding Researcher category. We submitted the I140 on April 24, 2003 and I485 on September 12, 2003, with the Texas Service Center. I received I140 approval on January 11, 2005 and I485 was approved on January 13, 2005. There has been no request for further evidence throughout the whole process.
I am extremely satisfied with the services and grateful to Mr. Khanna for the professional work he has done for me. He was extremely professional and supportive through the whole process. His advice to submit the two applications concurrently has been crucial for me having now the passport stamped with the green card approval.
To me, Mr Khanna was supportive as if I would have been his relative, not his client. I have gone through some scary moments because of the March 2004 memo which I am convinced it significantly slowed down my entire case. I also had one glitch with my current employer, which, at his advice, I was able to overcome. I was worried about not having the I140 approved for so long and almost lost hope that anything good is going to result. Mr. Khanna was very confident in the case he put together for me and for very good reasons. You can trust that if he is going to accept your case he is confident that your application will be approved and he will be there with you for the whole journey.
Finally, I have very good words for Mr. Khanna's staff, especially Ms. Suman Bhasin and Ms. Diane Lombardo. As a client you can call or e-mail his office at any time and you will promptly find his staff at the other end helping you. They will constantly help you put all the bits together and understand the meaning of every step of the process.
For all people out there contemplating on embarking to this journey I can confidently say that you will have in Mr. Khanna the best professional advice and work along with something money cannot buy, your best friend.
Mr. Khanna, THANK YOU!
and, Good luck to everybody.
Mr. Rajiv S Khanna is a very efficient and reliable immigrant attorney. He is providing us the best services in our immigration case. My special thanks to Bharathi and Leslie for their tremendous help at every step in our case.
Mr. Khanna is very helpful. He gives right decesion which is suitable for client. I really thank him and very happy to work with him in future. MB
My question to Mr. Khanna was on B-2 visa application for my Mother while simultaneously applying for her immigrant visa petition and adjusting her status in the USA during her stay. Additionally, he has assisted me with my own Citizenship questions earlier. As always, Mr. Khanna provided me with valuable insights and information on how to proceed that would best benefit my situation and my Mother' case. What I liked most is, him being very punctual in getting back to delivering on promises and with accurate opinions. I applaud Mr. Khanna and his team for the work they are doing - helping so many people with their immigration needs. I would always feel comfortable knowing his services are excellent in getting the job done, on time! Thank you!