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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Thanks all you wonderful people for the good job you are doing. Special thanks to Leila, Diane and Shivane for their help and support I got during my GC processing . You all have been great and thanks for being patient and quick in responding to my queries
I got my I-485 approval on July 20, 2004, ending a long nerve wrecking wait of almost 4 years. I would like to thank Rajiv S. Khanna and his staff for their outstanding work to help me in this important process.
I had to have my EAD renewed 2 times due to immense backlog. But I was not charged for the unexpected extra work.
I would like to show my special thanks to Leila Lehman, who was always there to answer instantly to all my questions during the I-485 processing.
Also, I would like to thank the entire staff especially to Diane Lombardo (Labor, I-140 and other paper processing), Suman Bhasin (for all those complicated and subtle questions), and Rajiv S Khanna (for indirectly answering my convoluted questions) and every one else who helped me during the process.
I have a couple of colleagues who went through the permanent residency adjustment of status processed by the team from the Law Office of Rajiv S. Khanna, and I have never heard anyone complaining.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire staff and thanks them for their professional assistance. For without it I would not have seen this day.
I would like to thank Mr.Khanna and his wonderful staff for being with me at every part of my Green Card Journey. Their professionalism and prompt correspondence is second to none. If you are with Mr.Khanna then you are in good hands. I would like to Thank Leila Lehman, Diane Lombardo, Shivane Sharma for helping me with my case. Law Offices of Mr.Khanna is the best.
To Anna, Joy and Charu
My application was speedily and professionally done by the above-mentioned persons. You are truly remarkable for the effort you put in a short period of time available. Thanks once again for an outstanding effort.
I would like to thank the law offices of Rajiv Khanna. The staff was very helpful and very meticulous in their tasks. They are the best and kudos for the keeping you the good work.
Rajeev,
Savita and all your team did an excellent job to responding to this RFP. We had almost lost hope but it came through. Her hard work and patience finally paid off!! You got a great team. We'll be sending many more cases.
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 mom lost her extension approval letter and couldn't board the flight from India because airline authorities said that letter is required. Thank you Mr. Khanna for your suggestion of contacting my area congressman to get the details of missing extension approval letter. That was very helpful and I got those details. I have all the information to file I-824 to get a copy of extension approval letter.
Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is easing the international arrivals process with new technology and procedures, alleviating travelers of paperwork and time spent waiting in line.
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!