DHS Announces Changes to Entry Requirements for Caribbean Residents Traveling to U.S. as Agricultural Workers
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
DoS Office of Press Relations
Contact: 202-647-2492
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
DoS Office of Press Relations
Contact: 202-647-2492
Effective December 18, 2015, H-2B workers identified as “returning workers” are exempted from the fiscal year (FY) 2016 annual H-2B cap of 66,000 visas. See Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §214(g)(9)(a), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(9)(a), as revised by Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113).
A returning worker is defined as an H-2B worker who was previously counted against the annual H-2B cap of 66,000 visas during FYs 2013, 2014, or 2015. This means:
USCIS published an updated editon of Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The new edition is dated 01/22/16. (USCIS will continue to accept the 03/22/13 edition, but no other previous editions will be accepted.)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amended its regulations today to improve the programs serving the H-1B1, E-3 and CW-1 nonimmigrant classifications and the EB-1 immigrant classification, and remove unnecessary hurdles that place such workers at a disadvantage when compared to similarly situated workers in other visa classifications.
USCIS published an updated editon of Form I-912P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Request. The new edition is dated 01/28/16. Previous editions should not be used.
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
Congress created the EB-5 visa program in 1990 as a tool to stimulate the U.S. economy by encouraging foreign capital investments and job creation. The EB-5 program makes immigrant visas and subsequent “green cards” available to foreign nationals who invest at least $1,000,000 in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) that will create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs in the United States. A foreign national may invest $500,000 if the investment is in a targeted employment area (TEA), defined to include certain rural areas and areas of high unemployment.
Use this form to petition for an alien worker to become a permanent resident in the United States.
Form 6; Instructions 10.
The deadline for eligible nationals of Yemen (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is Tuesday, March 1, 2016. The TPS designation for Yemen runs from September 3, 2015, through March 3, 2017.
Effective February 25, 2016, new guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual provides information on the general policies and procedures for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence as well as adjustment under section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a series of enhancements to make its website and online products easier to use on mobile devices.
Visitors will find uscis.gov and the Spanish site uscis.gov/es easier to read and use because the content now automatically adjusts to fit the screen of a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) started implementing the automated version of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, at air and sea ports of entry and will by week’s end include Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Orlando International Airport in Florida, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Implementation will continue across the nation through May 21, to include air and sea ports of entry that support international arrivals.
USCIS is moving the existing online payment for the USCIS Immigrant Fee to its Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS). Customers will soon pay the $165 USCIS Immigrant Fee using USCIS ELIS after they receive their immigrant visa package from the Department of State and before they depart for the United States. USCIS ELIS is easy to use and provides direct access to case status updates. New immigrants will also use USCIS ELIS to file future applications and petitions when they become available in the system.
DV 2013 Program: Entrants from DV 2013 (those who submitted entries during the registration period between October 4, 2011 and November 5, 2011) are requested to check the status of their entry now using their confirmation number through Entrant Status Check (ESC) on the E-DV website, if they have not already. Checking ESC promptly is important for selectees, to provide ample time for next steps in the Diversity Visa application process. ESC continues to be available to entrants through September 30, 2013.
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the new Form I-9 for immediate use by all employers! Some of the new features include:
Redline version of the Senate “Gang of Eight” Sponsors’ Amendment to S.744, released 5/1/13, to be introduced for markup in Senate Judiciary Committee.
Please check the attachment.
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 85 (Thursday, May 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25669-25677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10400]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 62
[Public Notice 8308]
RIN 1400-AC60
Exchange Visitor Program--Teachers
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comment.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds employers that they must use the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Revision 03/08/13)N for all new hires and reverifications. All employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee hired to work in the United States.
The revision date of the new Form I-9 is printed on the lower left corner of the form. Employers should not complete a new Form I-9 for existing employees, however, if a properly completed Form I-9 is already on file.
State department releases statistics on FY2013 annual numerical limits on immigrant visas for family-based and employment-based immigrant petitions, with China accounting for 10,060 employment-based visas during FY2013.
Please check the attachment to view the statistics.
WASHINGTON, DC—In his weekly address, President Obama spoke to the American people from Mexico City, Mexico about the incredible opportunities to create middle-class jobs in America by deepening our economic ties and expanding trade in Latin America. He also discussed a recent Senate bill that takes commonsense steps to fix our broken immigration system, like strengthening security on our border with Mexico, providing a pathway to earned citizenship, and modernizing our legal immigration system to attract highly skilled workers to our shores, which helps create jobs and grow the economy.
WASHINGTON—In just over one year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) innovative Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) initiative has produced real benefits that will strengthen agency policies and practices relating to job-creating immigrant entrepreneurs who help advance American economic growth.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Blue Water Bridge want to remind the traveling public to have proper travel documents, and plan for a possible increase in traffic over the Victoria Day (May 17-20) and Memorial Day (May 24-27) weekends.
“During the holiday weekends, we will continually monitor traffic and wait times and adjust staffing accordingly to help with traffic flow while upholding our border security mission” said Port Director David Dusellier.
Important Notice: Please be advised that Embassy Tripoli's Immigrant Visa services have been temporarily suspended. Please monitor our website for information on resumption of service. All Immigrant Visa services for Libyans resident in Libya are currently being processed by the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco. Please visit their website for information on applying for an Immigrant Visa.