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The PERM Processing Times has been updated. Please click the link below to view the times.

http://www.immigration.com/PERM-processing-dates/perm-processing-times-09032013

Are you getting the right immigration help?

Many people offer help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all are authorized to do so. While many of these unauthorized practitioners mean well, all too many of them are out to rip you off. This is against the law and may be considered an immigration services scam.

If you need help filing an application or petition with USCIS, be sure to seek assistance from the right place, and from people that are authorized to help. Going to the wrong place can:

• DOS FAQs on the DS-260 form, the online application for immigrant visa applicants.

Effective September 1, 2013, the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application and the DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent) will replace the paper based DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (parts I and II) and the DS-3032 (Choice of Address and Agent). This message describes the timeline for deployment and provides guidance to posts.

For more information please read the telegram attached.

Beginning September 9, 2013, USCIS will employ a new verification tool called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. Customers will now submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status (U visas) for fiscal year 2013. This marks the fourth straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U visas in 2008.

Each year, 10,000 U visas are available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U-visa petition requires certification of assistance from law enforcement.

SAN FRANCISCO – The efforts of an Immigration Services Officer during an interview at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ San Francisco Field Office uncovered two violations of law by Jie Zhong. The officer suspected Zhong took part in a fraudulent marriage with the purpose of cementing his claim to permanent residency and, later, U.S. citizenship.  

• TNC Enhancements

   

  We have rolled out a new set of E-Verify enhancements improving the Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) communication process. The highlight of the latest enhancements is the combining of the TNC Notice and Referral Letter into one document – the Further Action Notice.

  The Further Action Notice simplifies the TNC communication process by combining the employee’s biographical information, the reason for the TNC, the employee’s decision to contest, and employee instructions for contesting a TNC into a single document.

On Sept. 30, 2013, authorization for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Iraqi nationals who worked for or on behalf of the United States government will expire.

Online registration for the DV 2015 Program will begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and conclude on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4). See the attached Diversity Visa Program Instructions for the DV 2015 Instructions and any available translations.

This policy memorandum (PM) temporarily extends the validity of civil surgeon endorsements on Form I-693 for adjustment of status and temporary residence applicants.This PM updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by revising Chapter 40.1(c), (AFM Update AD 13-13). The guidance contained in this PM is controlling and supersedes any prior guidance on the subject.

Click the attachment to read more about the memorandum.

• USCIS statistics on DACA cases through 8/31/13, showing a total of 567,563 DACA requests accepted for processing, 555,958 biometric appointments scheduled, 455,455 requests approved, and 9,578 requests denied. 13,960 applications were accepted and 2,154 applications were denied in August 2013. Please check attached DACA Statistics.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will welcome more than 18,000 new citizens during more than 180 naturalization ceremonies from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23 in honor of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.Museums, historic libraries, government landmarks and national park sites will provide the backdrop for this week-long celebration of citizenship and the achievements of our newest citizens.

This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers in adjudicating Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant, filed by a self-petitioning adopted child, when the adopted child has been battered or abused. Please click the attachment for more information on the memorandum

The OFLC Ombudsman is pleased to announce a new on-line survey intended to encourage stakeholder feedback on their experience with Ombudsman Program. Survey questions are designed to promote the enhancement of customer service and overall satisfaction with the Program. The survey is located on both the H-2A and H-2B Ombudsman webpages: H-2A Ombudsman Webpage H-2B Ombudsman Webpage

• USCIS memo on the adjudication of Form I-360 filed by a self-petitioning adopted child when the child has been abused by the adoptive parent, since the two-year legal custody and residency requirements for these individuals has been eliminated.

USCIS regularly publishes a variety of reports on the numbers of application receipts and other topics. See the following categories for current reports.

Adjustment of Status

Employers have certain responsibilities under immigration law during the hiring process. The employer sanctions provi­sions, found in section 274A

• White House memorandum which is entitled "Planning for Agency Operations during a Potential Lapse in Appropriations" gives a picture as to what will happen, should there indeed be the federal government shut-down on October 1, 2013 and thereafter.

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today a limit of 14,000 nonimmigrants for fiscal year (FY) 2014 for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program. DHS published the notice in today’s Federal Register.

As reported by The Indian Express :

It is a political situation in which government stops providing for all but 'essential' services. Unless Congress raises federal borrowing cap, government will shut down on Oct 1 as it will run out of money to pay bills

Why will government stop funding services?