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Release Date: March 9, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—strengthening passenger information sharing and ensuring strict security standards while streamlining travel for Greek citizens visiting the United States.

Perm processing dates as of 2/28/10.

After the publication of the H-2A Final Rule addressing the Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States, the Department's Office of Foreign Labor Certification has reopened its H-2A Regulations mailbox for public inquiries. The interested public should direct all general inquiries regarding the H-2A program to the H-2A.Regulations@dol.gov mailbox. However, any case specific inquiries should be directed to the Chicago National Processing Center mailbox at TLC.Chicago@dol.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will not extend the period in which it temporarily accepted H-1B petitions filed with uncertified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs).

Due to processing delays associated with Department of Labor’s (DOL) “iCERT” system, USCIS responded to requests from the public and temporarily allowed H-1B petitions to be filed with uncertified LCAs. This temporary measure went into effect on November 5, 2009 and expired on March 9, 2010.

In light of the recent natural catastrophes in Chile, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds Chileans of U.S. immigration benefits available to eligible Chilean nationals upon request.

USCIS understands that a natural catastrophe can affect an individual’s ability to establish or maintain lawful immigration status. Temporary relief measures available to nationals of Chile may include:

Visa Bulletin for April 2010.

The White House 
Office of the Press Secretary 
For Immediate Release March 11, 2010 

Statement by the President on Today’s Meetings on Immigration Reform

Background

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has posted a revised Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360).  The new form is dated “12/30/09,” and due to the changes, no previous versions of the form will be accepted 30 days after publication.

AAO Processing Times as of March 01, 2010.

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification and the Wage and Hour Division have conducted 3 public briefings to advise stakeholders of the contents of the new H-2A Final Rule, which will be effective March 15, 2010. For the materials used in the briefings, click here.

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an addition to the recently posted filing instructions for the Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, Form I-824.   The revised instructions include a note in the “Where to File” section, to clarify that applicants who are filing Form I-824 concurrently with another form, should mail their applications according to the filing instructions on the other form.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131).  The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some USCIS forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities.  By Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, the agency can provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Release Date: March 19, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano met with stakeholders today to discuss ongoing efforts to work together to create a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.

[Federal Register: March 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 55)]
[Notices]
[Page 13784]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr10-99]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Announcement of Public Webinar on the Changes to the Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of webinar.

OFLC has issued updated prevailing wage FAQs to assist employers and others. These FAQs replace those issued in December 2009 by updating certain information. To see the FAQs click attachment.

[Federal Register: March 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 56)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14111-14116]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr10-17]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 22

[Public Notice: 6928]

RIN 1400-AC57 and 1400-AC58

Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.