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.
Dear All,
I want to inform the full story of my GC Episode. I am writing this on Sep-22-2004.
I was planning to apply for my GC during 2001 March. I was visiting many Attorneys office personally in Houston and through phone. I found out that, Attorney Rajiv S.Khanna was collecting the decent fees among all.
Then I checked his reputation. It was amazing. So, I contacted him through email.
Within 24 hours, with free of cost he talked to me. Listened my case and suggested me to apply through EB1 (OR).
I chosen him and his office gave me case number and opened a file for me. Then they assigned me to interact with one of Attorney’s Associates Ms.Diane D Lombardo. A Wonderful lady.
She walked through with me for the entire case (around 3 years). I could have asked at least 100 questions in my full three years, because my case was getting complicated. I lost my Job before I140 approval. I am a software engineer, so it is not a surprise for me. But, INS cannot understand that. I thought I lost my GC almost. But, Diane in continuous consultations with Attorney Rajiv rescued me from the deep problem. My sincere thanks to her.
Next Thankful person is Mathew Chaco. He also one of Attorney’s Associates. Great Person. Free to approach and also fast in responses. When my Finger Printing was not raised by INS. I approached him. He arranged for a talk to INS from Attorney office immediately. Within 30 days I got FP from INS. While many of my contemporary GC candidates are yet to get FP, I got it because of him and my GC also approved within 2 months after FP.
Next thankful Person is Ms.Suman. Over all supervisor. She talked to me several occasions. She is always to the point. If you approach for any issues. She will inform you the time for the reply. Exactly within the mentioned time (after the discussion with Attorney Rajiv or some times she arranged Attorney to talk to me) she will always reply with the possible positive answer.
All these questions I raised with them are free. Because I am a client for them.
Their office people also having excellent hospitality. Polite in answering and approachable.
BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE, ATTORNEY RAJIV AND HIS ASSOCIATES ARE THE BEST LAWYER FOR IMMIGRATION RELATED PURPOSE IN USA.
Email me if you have any questions.
Good Luck.
Thanks to all the wonderful professional staff at Rajiv's Offices. The entire experience from getting a L1 visa to a GC approval within 24 months was awesome. I really appreciated the personal attention and constant updates on status. I also want to highlight the superior service Savita Krishnamurthy extended, many times going beyond the call of duty. You people are A1.
This is to announce to everyone that Offices of Rajiv Khanna extended their service without sparing any efforts to get my green card approved. I was extremely happy with their service and I'm more than willing to answer what I went through and how Rajiv helped me out.. Thanks.. Ram
Thanks for helping me getting my green card. Spacial thanks to Shivani Sharma, Liela Lehman, Sri, Diano Lambardo, Mathew Chacko and Vijay Durgam. Every body did good job in preparing paper work which helped me getting green card earlier than others.
I am working with Rajiv's office for over a year now. Staff is extremely professional and very prompt. I would highly recommend the firm.
My wife and I received our GC approval notices and got stamps on our passports on August 31, 2004. We are thankful to Mr. Khanna and his team for getting our GC approved. The whole GC process was not smooth but Mr. Khanna was very helpful all along. Whenever we wanted to talk to him for the problems we faced throughout the GC processing, he was always kind enough to spend his valuable time to discuss with us about our case. And finally after three years of struggle we have had happy ending. Again, we would like to thank Mr. Khanna and his staff especially Diane for the good job they have done for our GC process.
Rajiv, Sirisha, and Anna,
I am extremely happy to inform you that my father's visitor visa has been approved. I just heard from my parents and wanted to share my joy with you. Thanks to all your efforts and the valuable advice of the law
offices, I and my wife are now in a position to enjoy some much-needed family time. The whole process took my parents 9 months and 4 visits to the consulate and finally it is over. It is not known if the approval
is for 6 months or 10 years at this time.
Sirisha, I am greatly thankful to you for working with me closely and professionally looking at every minute detail of this case. You're simply
awesome.
Appreciate all the efforts of the Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna.
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.
I have found Rajiv Khanna to be very forthcoming always. He has helped me numerous times on immigration issues and questions that we have had in the past. Unlike some other attonerys Rajiv takes the time to explain each issue. I would strongly recommend to use the services of the law offices of Rajiv Khanna to all.
The I-94 Web Application has been designed to provide travelers with the I-94 number that is assigned by Customs and Border Protectio or CBP - upon entrance to the United States. The I-94 number may be used for verification with other government agencies. Foreign travelers entering the UnitedStates at air or sea ports of entry will be able to access their electronic Form I-94 by visiting www.cbp.gov/I94
To learn more about this Web Application please visit the link below.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31398-31399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12453]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 42
RIN 1400-AD39
[Public Notice 8332]
I have a valid H-1B until April 2014. I left my employment with my company March 2013 and we were in the process of applying for the GC. I did not have time to find another employer and file a GC application before entering my final year. Therefore even if I transferred my H-1B I still would have had to leave in 2014. Therefore I have decided to come back to England for a year and reapply when I have completed 365 days out. I have 2 questions:
1) Does my time start from when I left the US or do I have to cancel my H-1B?
2) If I go back to visit, I assume I just visit under the visa waiver?
1. The one year out starts when you leave USA.
2. It may be best not to visit during that year.
We represented a physician working for a healthcare network within several counties of a Medically Underserved Area (MUA). Initially, we submitted the required documents, but the tricky issue was the division of the physician’s service over several counties. The approval in this case required that we work closely with officials from the State Health Department to provide proper documentation and verification of the full-time nature of the job, albeit across several areas and proof of physician shortage within each area.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32418-32424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12793]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2533-13; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2007-0028]
RIN 1615-ZB20
Extension of the Designation of El Salvador for Temporary
Protected Status
Over the last few years, approvals of L-1B cases have become particularly difficult. An L-1B (Intra-Company Transfer Visa) petitioner retained us after receiving a Request for Evidence from USCIS requiring additional proof that the beneficiary had specialized knowledge and that the job duties required an individual with unique knowledge of the petitioner’s complex technology. We provided documentation to show that the beneficiary had skills that could not be obtained in the open market. We were also able to show that, within the petitioner’s employee pool, the beneficiary was unique and
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.