USCIS Issues Revised Edition of M-274, The Handbook for Employers
USCIS releases revised edition of the M-274, Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) from USCIS.
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Visa Bulletin - February 2011
Number 29
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Agency
Green Card
India EB-2 is NOT current for February 2011
The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India erroneously reported that India EB-2 is current for February 2011. Please note that is FALSE. India EB-2 is backed up to May 2006.
http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/cut_off_dates.html
According to the February 2011 Visa Bulletin EB-2 India shows a priority date of May 8, 2006.
Click here for the visa bulletin.
Mandated poverty line
Question details
What is mandated poverty line? I want to petition for my husband, can my father sponsor him financially if I do not have enough income to support my husband? My father and me are both permanent residents.
Here are the poverty guidelines http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml
Your father can co-sponsor (file an affidavit of support) along with you.
Reentry Permit and N-470
Question details
I got my GC on March 2006 and same time I got my Reentry Permit too. I was out of States within 2 years that I worked with US Forces Yokosuka Japan for Master Labor Contractor in less than 2 years. Is this form N-470 brand new rules?
Form N-470 has existed for a long, long time. This is not a new form or rule.
EB-3 category
Question details
I am on EB3 category and have been working in the IT sector for the last 6 years and one year ago I completed my MBA too. I am currently working as a contractor and using my EAD. I am on Adjustment of status right now. Is it possible to change my category from EB3 to EB2?
It is possible, but the green card will have to be started again from PERM.
Visit visa for my parents
Question details
Can I invite my parents while I am on a business visit. I have I-94 valid till June 2011. My dad is a defence employee.
Your parents can apply for a tourist visa on their own. There is no law that they must be invited.
Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa Fact Sheet
Introduction
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.
E-Verify Gets High Marks from Employers in Customer Satisfaction Survey
Jan. 18, 2011
Recent GAO report also cites improvements to the E-Verify Program
New Countries Eligible to Participate in H-2A and H-2B Programs
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, has identified 53 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs for the coming year. |
Working outside USA
Question details
Is it possible for me to work outside the US (for the same company that I work for now) while on green card? My company has an office in India, and I have to travel to India for family reasons. I was planning to work in India for some time, and then come back in about a year and half and apply for citizenship. I have lived in the US for about 3 years on my green card now.
It is possible. Look into both I-131and N-470 filing through a lawyer.
Green card and overstay
Question details
My dad has a green card and went back home over 2 years ago. He is now trying to come back after being away from the US for 2 years. I was told by some people that if he stayed over a year outside the US they will not let him back in to the US even though he has a Green Card. Can you please tell me if this is true, or can I just get him a ticket and fly him back to the US?
It is highly unlikely that he will be allowed into USA.
Perm process during OPT
Question details
I completed my master’s degree last summer and started working with a company from 2 months.
I am in OPT status right now and I wanted to know, if I am eligible to file for Green Card process with my current employer. If yes can I file in EB2? I have 2 years IT experience in India If no, do I have to wait until I get H1b. Is the Green card process dependent on H1B?
This question requires your lawyers to assess the case. Generally speaking nothing stops you from filing a PERM application while on OPT and an Eb2 appears possible.
Job description for the EB-2
Question details
I've been working for the company that is sponsoring my green card for the past 2.5 years and some of the experiences/skills required in the Job Description were acquired working with this company. Is it valid to include those skills on the Job Description? Should I have acquired those skills before?
It is possible to use the after-acquired skills only if the job in the past and the green card job are more than 50% different.
USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunities
USCIS is offering three competitive grant funding opportunities designed to help prepare permanent residents for citizenship and promote immigrant integration in the United States.
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
[Federal Register: January 20, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 13)]
[Notices]
[Page 3637-3638]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ja11-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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*** Tri-Valley University issues***
Please see the links below for information on TVU.
Recording of the calls regarding the Tri-Valley University issues:
http://www.immigration.com/free-community-conference-calls
Forum dedicated to the Tri-Valley issues:
http://forums.immigration.com/forumdisplay.php?328-Tri-Valley-University-and-Related-Issues
Wage Methodology for the Temporary Non-agricultural Employment H–2B
The Department has published in the Federal Register a Final Rule on the Wage Methodology for Temporary Non-agricultural Employment in the H-2B Program. The Final Rule revises the methodology by which the Department calculates the prevailing wages to be paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with a temporary labor certification. The Final Rule is effective for wages paid for all work performed on or after January 1, 2012.
USCIS Fact Sheet on Naturalization
The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. During the last decade, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed more than 6.6 million naturalized citizens into the fabric of our nation. In fiscal year 2010, approximately 676,000 individuals were naturalized
Information on Poverty Guidelines
The poverty guidelines are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The poverty guidelines may be used as soon as they are published in the Federal Register each year — usually about mid-February — unless a program has chosen to make them effective at a later date.
Green Card
USCIS Memo On Eligibility of National Guard Members To Naturalize Under Section 329 of INA
USCIS interim memo for comment providing field guidance on the eligibility for members of the National Guard to naturalize under section 329 of the INA. Comments are due 2/10/11. The memo is in effect until further notice.
For detail please check the attachment.
CRS Report On Immigration Policies And Issues On Health-Related Grounds For Exclusion
Please check the attachment to view CRS report.
DOS Provides Guidance On L Visas And Specialized Knowledge
Guidance on L Visas and Specialized Knowledge
Reference Document:
STATE 002016, 01/11
EB-2 Question
Question details
I have 3 yr BSc(Computer Science)+ 2 yr MSc(Information Technology)from India and I completed my MSc on May 2003 and I am currently working for my current employer from July 2008 and my job description requires Masters degree + 2 yrs to perform the job. Overall I started my career from Jan 2000 - Till Date. Am I eligible for EB2 please let me know? Also can u explain, will I fall into this category 3 yr bachelors degree + 2 yr masters degree = bachelors degree + 1 year and would require 5 yrs progressive experience to qualify under the EB2?
You could qualify for EB-2 under BS + 5.