USCIS reminds all approved EB-5 regional centers with a designation letter dated on or before Sept.
Effective December 8, 2014, the Department is no longer issuing prevailing wage determinations in the H-2B program based on employer provided wage surveys. This action is in response to the Court order entered December 5, 2014 in Comite de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agricolas et al v. Solis, No. 14-3557 (3rd Cir.).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the statutory maximum of 10,000 petitions for U-1 nonimmigrant status (U visas) for fiscal year 2015. This marks the sixth straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U visas in 2008.
USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, has added the Czech Republic, Denmark, Madagascar, Portugal, and Sweden to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs for the coming year. The notice listing the 68 eligible countries published on Dec. 16, 2014 in the Federal Register.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today launched the Border Wait Time app making it easier for travelers to plan their trip across the border. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status at land ports of entry allowing travelers to make an informed decision of where and when to cross the border. Wait times for pedestrian and passenger and commercial vehicle crossings are broken down by lane type (standard, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, etc.). Travelers can download the app for free from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing an email address for state juvenile courts and child welfare agencies to submit general questions about the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. You can also submit requests for a USCIS representative to talk to your organization about the program. The address is: USCIS-IGAOutreach@uscis.dhs.gov.
The Department has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for each state, based on the Farm Labor Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The AEWRs are the minimum hourly wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment for a particular agricultural job and area, so that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected.
Pursuant to REAL ID regulations, beginning December 1, 2014, federal agencies may not accept State-issued driver's licenses or identification cards for official purposes from individuals born after December 1, 1964, unless the license or card is REAL ID-compliant and was issued by a compliant State as determined by DHS.
As stated by The New York Times, the House on Thursday gave final approval to a renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, sending a bipartisan Senate measure to President Obama after a House plan endorsed by conservatives was defeated.
To read more on this news story click here
CIS Ombudsman outlines recommendations to improve process for removal of conditions for spouses and children.
To check the recommendation please read attached document.
EOIR FY2012 Statistical Year Book, which includes a compilation of figures and tables on individuals who have appeared before an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Please check attached EOIR Year Book for FY 2012.
Beginning March 4, certain immigrant visa applicants who are the spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens (immediate relatives), and have been unlawfully present in the United States, can start applying for provisional unlawful presence waivers through a new process.
Frequently Asked Questions: Impacts to Travel and Trade during Sequestration
(03/02/2013)
What is sequestration?
Please check attached "E-Verify Employee Rights Toolkit".
Only schools that are certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program are authorized to accept international students.
Please check the link "Study in the States" to know more.
Yesterday, President Obama signed a bill that both strengthened and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
For more on this news visit this link
Revisions include new user-friendly instructions for completing Form I-9
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use. All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15030-15031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05327]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2532-13; DHS Docket No.: USCIS-2006-0068]
Introduction of the Revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form
USCIS handbook providing guidance on how to properly complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and answering frequently asked questions about the law as it relates to Form I-9.
Please check attached " Handbook For Employers On Guidance For Completing Form I-9"
On March 8, 2013, USCIS transferred some casework from the California Service Center to the Texas Service Center to balance overall workload with processing capacity at the centers. The affected casework includes the following forms:
The Department has published in the Federal Register a notice establishing the 2013 allowable meal charges and maximum travel subsistence reimbursement amounts. The 2013 allowable charge for providing three meals a day is set at $11.42 per day, although employers may petition the Chicago National Processing Center for a higher charge if justified by documentation of actual costs. Similarly, the 2013 minimum subsistence charge for meals during travel is set at $11.42 a day.
The bilateral adoption agreement between the United States and Vietnamexpired on Sept. 1, 2008. Both nations have agreed to cease processing new adoption cases until the United States and Vietnamsign a new bilateral agreement.
Question: Now that Sept. 1 has passed, what is the status of adoptions from Vietnam?