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 The Department has released FAQs for H-2Bs in the entertainment industry.

ICE updated its list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools on 29th June 2009.

USCIS offers immigration services and resources specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families who are stationed in the United States and abroad.

As ofJuly 10, 2009, approximately 44,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.

USCIS announced that the Department of Homeland Security will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia from its current expiration date of Sept. 17, 2009 through March 17, 2011.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, effective today, it will resume Premium Processing Service for nonimmigrant religious worker petitions filed by certain R-1 petitioners.  Only those petitioners who have successfully passed an on-site inspection are eligible to file under Premium Processing Service.

Administrative Appeals Office is an office within USCIS that decides appeals from denials of various petitions by USCIS such as H-1, L-1, I-140 etc.

AAO Processing Times

As ofJuly 24, 2009, approximately 44,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.

Travelers wanting to participate in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s trusted traveler program in the San Luis area will soon have the opportunity to participate in the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection program.

CBP will open a local enrollment center in the fall of 2009, followed by dedicated commuter lanes at the San Luis port of entry in late 2009. Travelers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to apply early for the new program by visiting the SENTRI Web site.

Prevailing Wage and FIFO (First-in, first-out order) 

All wage requests are being processed in less than 60 days. First-in, first-out order (FIFO) is being used.  Requests for H-1B/PERM are processed in FIFO order as there is only one queue. The goal in the end is to process all wage requests continues to be 60 days.

For guidance and guidelines for processing please visit this link.

  Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC
June 28, 2010

[Federal Register: June 28, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 123)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 36522-36535]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn10-5]                        

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DOS published a cable on biometric signature and affirmation of the DS-160 NIV Application.

Completing a naturalization application where the applicant is unable to recollect all the times  

In situations where the applicant travels frequently on business or when an applicant is a long-time permanent resident who traveled frequently since first obtaining permanent residence the Chicago Field office accepts an affidavit attesting to approximate dates of travel.

Motion to Reopen 

[Federal Register: July 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 38145-38146]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy10-111]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Announcing the New National Electronic Job Registry for Use in the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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State Dept. issued a visa policy update on an FAM change to clarify that posts may annotate blanket L visas with the name of the actual employer on the I-129-S even if that subsidiary or affiliate employer name is not in PIMS.

1. Under what authority can the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification select an employer's application for supervised recruitment?

ETA News Release: [07/08/2010]
Contact Name: Lina Garcia
Phone Number: (202) 693-4661
Release Number: 10-971-NAT

Web tool will make it easier for US workers to learn about job opportunities in agriculture

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online registry allowing the public to retrieve information about temporary agricultural jobs that fall under the H-2A program. The new tool was developed in compliance with regulations implemented by the department on March 15.