USCIS National Stakeholder Meeting Updates - 08/26/09
Please find attached Details of USCIS National Stakeholder Meeting which was held on July 27, 2009.
Please find attached Details of USCIS National Stakeholder Meeting which was held on July 27, 2009.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule on the removal of HIV infection from its list of communicable diseases of public health significance - As of now with respect to the above proposed rule the Chicago Field Office has not received any guidance from HQ. Hence the office will not hold such applications in suspension until further notice.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Application Support Center (ASC) stand-alone sites will move to a Monday through Friday schedule beginning Nov. 2, 2009. Stand-alone ASCs are those which are not co-located with other federal offices and which previously operated Tuesday through Saturday. All ASCs, both stand-alone and co-located sites, will continue to be open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The DOL released a memo to regional administrators and district directors regarding travel and visa expenses of H-2B workers under FLSA minimum wage laws. In January 2009, the Department ofHomeland Security delegated to Wage and Hour enforcement authority to ensure that H-2B workers are employed in compliance with the H-2B labor certification requirements. Wage and Hour issued regulations implementing this authority, 29 C.F.R. Part 655, which became effective on January 18,2009. Those regulations are applicable to applications for certifications filed on or after that date.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Office of Management and Budget has extended its approval of Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to Aug. 31, 2012. Consequently, USCIS has amended the form to reflect a new revision date of Aug. 7, 2009.
Employers may use the Form I-9 with the revision date of either Aug. 7, 2009 or Feb. 2, 2009. The revision dates are located on the bottom right-hand portion of the form.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced new directives to enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry—a critical step designed to bolster the Department’s efforts to combat transnational crime and terrorism while protecting privacy and civil liberties.
1. I am on H1B. It is valid until 2010. Since I am hearing that there are many queries on the port of entry, do ou think I should travel back to the country with valid AP or H1? Which one is more preferable?
2. Considering I have valid H1B until 2010 and valid AP (though I don't have AP at the moment). I plan to stay on H1 as long as I am waiting for my greencard. But for travel purposes I use AP. Does coming back into the country using AP will change my status from H1 to EAD?
3. How long is AP processing taking these days?
4. All my co-workers are getting huge queries on H1 extension or H1 transfer. Is AP processing also getting queries? Should I even start AP processing?
5. Please list out all the documents that I should carry while traveling?
1. I think I prefer AP. Read the Cronin memo and you will understand that even if you enter using AP, you will be considered to be on valid H-1 as long as you were maintaining H-1 status before you left. Search the word "Cronin" on my blog .
2. No. See answer above.
3. It is impossible to predict times. Plan for a six-month turnaround.
4. Do not be scared of queries. We are yet to lose an H-1 case. I am not aware of any queries on AP.
5. Advance Parole and Passport.
[Federal Register: August 28, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 44376-44377]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au09-66]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-600/I-600A, Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
[Federal Register: August 28, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 44375-44376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au09-65]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-485 and Supplements A and E, Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
Here is a document USDOL (Wage and Hour Division) is using to send to employees. This outlines the factors USDOL is most interested in when investigating an employer.
It tooks around 827 days.
Filed in TX and later moved to Ohio.
letter for interview was issued to me and my wife, but duing interview they asked kids to be present, So please make sure kids are with you. Asked for six fmily photos with kids and some school reports( Grades and mark or award) for the file - Please consider this to be with you, during interview.
Thanks...
I contacted the USCIS regularly from Jan ‘ 04 (I applied in Aug) and was told my security check is pending. I contacted the FBI directly who told me that they received no request for a name check from the FBI. I did this on 2 separate occasions. I had no idea if my name check was submitted or not.
Here is my recent H1B stamping experience (early August, 2003) in U.S. consulate in Calgary, AB.
I contacted the USCIS regularly from Jan ‘ 04 (I applied in Aug) and was told my security check is pending. I contacted the FBI directly who told me that they received no request for a name check from the FBI. I did this on 2 separate occasions. I had no idea if my name check was submitted or not.
The following FAQ should cover the issues.
Based on many posts by users of these boards, I’ve decided to write-up a fairly comprehensive posting regarding ability to pay issues and how to overcome RFE’s, Denials and appeals.
Background:
Law governing ability to pay – 8 CFR 204.5(g)(2)
It was Wonderful Experience with The Law Firm. Extraordinary Work done by the firm especially Rajiv,Leila,Vijay and Diana Lombardo.I really would like to Thank you all for all support you gave me during my GreenCard Process. I will Highly recommend to go with this Firm for any kind of BCIS Processing.
I recommend Law offices of Rajiv S Khanna for H1B/H4 visa related tasks. Staff is thoroughly professional and patient. The aptly respond to any trivia. My case was filed as premium processing and was through in a week. Special thanks goes to Charu and Rena.
Finally,finally,finally............
I got the GC, ending the long wait...Even though the journey was long ,the Friendly office of Rajiv S.Khanna(sorry to tweak the name) helped it to be smooth by taking care of all the minute details. I felt like a strong manager for having delegated an important work in my life, to a highly professional bunch and just went on with my life without worrying about anything. I was fortunate to meet many in the group in person.They were even more friendly and helpful whenever I went to their office.
As we all know one of the important topic in Desi gathering is GC and I was always proud of saying that
I am being taken care by Rajiv Khanna and here afterwards I will proudly say that I was taken care off by the "Friendly office of Rajiv S.Khanna"
Above all let me ask Leila something. "Leila, your friendly attitude and that wonderful gracious smile all the time...is that Gods special gift for you"
Me & my wife got GC approved on Aug'4th 2004. I got the RFE for my I-140 and Mr.Khanna team handled the case in a very caring manner,they did very good documentation and it got approved with in 30 days of sending the RFE. I really appreciate Mr.Khanna and his team for helping me out in getting my GC. Thanks again for each and every one who handled my case in Mr.Kahanna's team.
I got my L1A extension approved during April 2004 through Rajiv & Savita. I traveled out of country and reentered in June 2004 using my old visa. But encountered problems on my new I-94 dates and was very panicked. So the 1st email and phone call was to Savita and it was followed up by her, Charu & Rajiv personally. I can't believe that I applied for my visa revalidation by post on 8th July and got the stamping on 2nd August. Less than 3 weeks and it's a miracle. I take this opportunity to thank Rajiv, Savita & Charu for their kind advice and guidance. Great Work and I am obliged.
Thanks to everyone and especially Charu and Ursula for their work on my H1-B. I really appreciated the fact that I could ask questions and get answers all the way throughout the process and I would really recommend your services to anyone!!
The application process, whether non-immigrant or Green Card, involves a lot of paperwork, forms to be filled out, birth certificates, and other documents like filing fees and much more. During this process, meeting government officials, visiting embassies/consulates, tracking the application progress, and writing letters to the concerned authorities regarding follow-ups or delays will be essential. Below are a few pointers that provide information and guidelines on all types of immigration delays:
Dear Rajiv Khanna jee
I am not able to express my happiness when I got your mail. I can just say THANK YOU for the sincere effort and a strong belief that you always had in my case. I also want to share the amount of frustration that I went through after the second refusal of the application. Still in that moment of time you said that you will not give up until we achieve our goal. I want to thank Diane, Sumanjee for their immense support of preparing things with the detailed hard work. Many Many thanks. We will always be together.
Sincerely
Ronu Majumdar