USCIS Reminder for All Employers to Use the New Form I-9 (revision 03/08/13)N beginning May 7, 2013
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the new Form I-9 for immediate use by all employers! Some of the new features include:
Search
EB-2-NIW–Physician in Medically Underserved Area
We represented a physician working for a veteran’s facility within a medically underserved area. The NIW was approved. Before completing her waiver time, she needed to move from the approved location to another location AND switch from a MUA to the Veterans Administration.
Green Card
Senate Judiciary Committee Releases Sponsors' Amendment to S. 744
Redline version of the Senate “Gang of Eight” Sponsors’ Amendment to S.744, released 5/1/13, to be introduced for markup in Senate Judiciary Committee.
Please check the attachment.
CBP Begins Implementation of Form I-94 Automation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) started implementing the automated version of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, at air and sea ports of entry and will by week’s end include Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Orlando International Airport in Florida, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Implementation will continue across the nation through May 21, to include air and sea ports of entry that support international arrivals.
Guestbook Entry for Hetvi Patel, United States
Name
Hetvi Patel
Country
United States
State
Tx
USCIS Announces Expansion of Entrepreneurs in Residence Initiative
WASHINGTON—In just over one year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) innovative Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) initiative has produced real benefits that will strengthen agency policies and practices relating to job-creating immigrant entrepreneurs who help advance American economic growth.
Guestbook Entry for SANJIV AGGARWAL, India
Name
SANJIV AGGARWAL
Country
India
State
PUNJAB
Guestbook Entry for S Nair, United States
Name
S Nair
Country
United States
State
CT
Employers Must Use Revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds employers that they must use the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Revision 03/08/13)N for all new hires and reverifications. All employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee hired to work in the United States.
The revision date of the new Form I-9 is printed on the lower left corner of the form. Employers should not complete a new Form I-9 for existing employees, however, if a properly completed Form I-9 is already on file.
DOS Offers Expedited U.S. Passport Services for Summer Travel
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.
DOS Publishes Final Rule On Exchange Visitor Program Fees and Charges
[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
DOS Announces Suspension of Immigrant Visa Services in Libya
Office of Consular Officer:
Important Notice: Please be advised that Embassy Tripoli's Immigrant Visa services have been temporarily suspended. Please monitor our website for information on resumption of service. All Immigrant Visa services for Libyans resident in Libya are currently being processed by the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco. Please visit their website for information on applying for an Immigrant Visa.
Applications for the FY 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Due by May 22
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.
Guestbook Entry for Suzana Das, Esq., United States
Name
Suzana Das, Esq.
Country
United States
State
New Jersey
Guestbook Entry for Mita B., United States
Name
Mita B.
Country
United States
State
Missouri
Guestbook Entry for Raj Singh, United States
Name
Raj Singh
Country
United States
State
New Jersey
Guestbook Entry for Mrs. Ellarama Rao, United States
Name
Mrs. Ellarama Rao
Country
United States
State
Georgia
CBP Releases Joint Report On Entry/Exit Information Systems With Canada
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 )
Rajiv's Interview with Voice of America - US Green Card Lottery Under Threat
Immigration.com
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
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.
Rajiv's Interview with Voice of America
media/green-card-lottery/rajivs-interview-voice-america-us-green-card-lottery-under-threat