Guestbook Entry for Senthil R Dhanuskodi, United States
Name
Senthil R Dhanuskodi
Country
United States
State
IL
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Guestbook Entry for Thirumal Banda, United States
Name
Thirumal Banda
Country
United States
State
DE
DOS Visa Policy Update for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee for Visa Waiver Travelers
This cable provides additional information on implementation of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) and fee collection for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), requests posts to engage in outreach, and provides talking points.
Please check attachment for detail information.
USCIS Seeks Comment For Interim Guidance
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USCIS Launches Texas Service Center E-mail Pilot Initiative
The purpose of the Texas Service Cemer (TSC) employment-based (EB) 1-485 Email Pilot Special Notification Initiative is to provide a mechanism by which applicants can facilitate TSC processes relating to specific EB 1-485 application scenarios through an email address.
2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
The Yearbook of Immigration Statistics is a compendium of tables that provides data on foreign nationals who, during a fiscal year, were granted lawful permanent residence (i.e., admitted as immigrants or became legal permanent residents), were admitted into the United States on a temporary basis (e.g., tourists, students, or workers), applied for asylum or refugee status, or were naturalized. The Yearbook also presents data on immigration law enforcement actions, including alien apprehensions, removals, and prosecutions.
USCIS Update on O-1 Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement)
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.
The O nonimmigrant classification is commonly referred to as:
Guestbook Entry for Anurag D, United States
Name
Anurag D
Country
United States
State
TX
NVC Immigrant Visa Electronic Processing
What is Electronic Processing?
The Immigrant Visa Electronic Processing Program is a pilot project which uses electronic communication and documentation methods to simplify and accelerate the immigrant visa application process. This program uses e-mail for communication and submission of all forms and documents to the NVC using the Portable Document Format (PDF).
CRS Report On Immigration: S Visas For Criminal And Terrorist Informants
The provision establishing the S visa in the INA was originally due to expire on September 13, 1999, but Congress had extended it until September 13, 2001. Aliens admitted through the S visa categories are designated as S-5 and S-6 nonimmigrants. Request for these visas must be filed by a state or federal law enforcement agency, and the filing agency must assume responsibility for the alien from their time of entry until their departure, or until they adjust status.
Guestbook Entry for Pratiksha Chhangawala, United States
Name
Pratiksha Chhangawala
Country
United States
State
NJ
Guidance Regarding the Handling of Removal Proceedings of Aliens with Pending or Approved Applications or Petitions
This memorandum establishes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy for the handling of removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOlR) involving applications or petitions filed by, or on behalf of, aliens in removal proceedings. This policy outlines a framework for ICE to request expedited adjudication ofan application or petition for an alien in removal proceedings that is pending before U.S.
USCIS Announces Change to Filing Location for Nepali Adoption Petitions
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that any U.S. citizen seeking to adopt a Nepali child, whose case is not affected by the suspension of processing of adoption cases involving Nepali children claimed to have been found abandoned, should file the Form I 600, Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative, with the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. |
Information on Form I-192 and Form I-824
Form I-192: Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant
Form I-824: Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
Guestbook Entry for Satya Jayadev, United States
Name
Satya Jayadev
Country
United States
State
NC
Guestbook Entry for Kanchana Govindan, United States
Name
Kanchana Govindan
Country
United States
State
NJ
Guestbook Entry for Dolly Chavan, United States
Name
Dolly Chavan
Country
United States
State
VA
SEVP deploys new class of field representatives to work with US schools hosting international students
WASHINGTON — The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) deployed 14 additional field representatives to territories across the country this week. The field representatives serve as liaisons between the nearly 9,000 U.S. schools that enroll international students and SEVP. The program, housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), certifies schools to enroll international students and protects national security by overseeing those students for compliance with U.S. laws.
DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designations for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone
WASHINGTON— Due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna, 20 Nov 2014 (Every Other Thursday)
Substantial transcription for video
The following topics were discussed in today's community conference call. The video is attached below. Discussed: Abandonment of Green Card, OPT to H-1 change delay, immigration consequences of criminal conviction for misdemeanor (petty offense exception), N-470 to maintain residence, EB-2 filing, Investing in stocks while on H-1, delays and difficulty in entering the USA -- TRIP, H-4 visa stamping, getting married to a US Citizen while on H-1, marriage certificate, immigration reform, CSPA, Cross chargeability, Unpaid leave on H-1, H-1 visa stamping, NOIR for multiple H-1 filing through related companies, frequency of visits on B visa, employment verification letters in PERM.
Executive Actions on Immigration - USCIS
On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Obama's Immigration Action, Discussion with Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.
Guestbook Entry for Krithika, United States
Name
Krithika
Country
United States
State
California
DOL to Support Of Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes Seeking Immigration Relief
In early 2015, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor will begin exercising its authority to certify applications for trafficking victims seeking T visas. In addition, WHD will expand its existing U visa program by certifying such requests when it detects three additional qualifying criminal activities in the course of its workplace investigations: extortion, forced labor, and fraud in foreign labor contracting.