ICE released the 2009 ICE Secure Communities Standard Operating Procedures document for Secure Communities, an initiative making the removal of aliens convicted of serious criminal offenses from the US a priority. This document describes processes that enable the routing of response messages to the FBI and State Identification Bureaus to confirm identity and immigration status during incarceration booking.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted an informational video on its Web site that provides an overview of the agency’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
We were recently retained by an employer whose employee fell out of status due to an omissions by the former counsel. Prior to the employee’s H1B expiration date, the employer tried to file an H1B extension. The employer’s former Counsel utilized an obsolete and inappropriate wage source when filing the LCA. This wage amount was also not representative of what the employee was earning. As a result, the employer had to withdraw the LCA. This circumstance resulted in an untimely filing of the employer’s H1B application and the employee’s status expiring due to no fault of his own.
Number 15
Volume XI
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Effective December 21, 2009, the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Reauthorization Act will sunset. The Nursing Relief for Disadvantage Areas Act (NRDAA) established the H-1C Program in 1999 to reduce the shortage of qualified nurses in health professional shortage areas. The Program was reauthorized until December 20, 2009 under the Nursing Relief for Disadvantage Areas Reauthorization Act of 2005 which became effective in December 20, 2006.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the previous version of the Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative (Form G-28) will be accepted until further notice.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is announcing a 120-day period in which it will temporarily accept H-1B petitions filed without Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) that have been certified by the Department of Labor (DOL).
The Department has sent to the Federal Register an Interim Final Rule (IFR) extending the transition period application filing procedures implemented under the December 2008 H-2A Final Rule. The application filing procedures under the extended transition period apply to all employers with dates of need before June 1, 2010. To read the IFR please click here.
As of November 6, 2009, approximately 54,700 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed. USCIS has approved sufficient H1-B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees to meet the exemption of 20,000 from the fiscal year 2010 cap. Any H1-B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H1-B cap of 65,000.
The Department of Homeland Security headquarters seeks motivated students looking to contribute their unique insight, skills and talents to support the important mission of securing the homeland.
Our headquarters offices offer paid summer internship opportunities for full-time and part-time college or university students.
These Questions and Answers only provide information about the assessment by the civil surgeon to determine whether an applicant has been infected with TB and address the most recent updates to the Tuberculin (TB) Component of the Technical Instructions for the Medical Examination of Aliens in the United States.
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
Question: Are there any new developments on the visa waiver program for Greek citizens? Where does the U.S. currently stand on this issue?
Answer: The U.S. Government is in the final stages of the decision process, and we hope to conclude the process soon.
I finally received my green card this month after 5 years. Just a little background, I been working with Rajiv ji since 1999 , I almost have 6-7 H1 extensions. I started my GC process before Perm and been through almost all the possible complications one can have. I can proudly say that with help of Rajivji and team I am able to finish that journey without losing the hope. I got an opportunity to talk to Rajivji for than 6-7 times on different problems. I am really amazed the way he handles these repetitive questions with sincerity and in-depth knowledge of his trade.
On one Friday I received a notice that USCIS transferred my I-485 case to AAO by mistake even after they approved my second I-140. I was really upset as it means there will be at least 18 months delay even if my date is current. To my surprise I received CC email from Mr.Khanna on early Saturday morning guiding his team about next step. It clearly shows how closely he monitors most of his cases.
Also many thanks to [b]Sumanji,Anna, Mathew,Rita,Bharthi,subba,Pranita[/b] and other staff members who are very co-operative during this process.
I am greatly thankful to one of Rajivji’s [b]attorney Ms Sheena Gill[/b], with whom I worked for last two years. She is more than one can ask to get[b] best case manager[/b] on your case. Since USCIS send my case I-485 to AAO it was clear that this case will go nowhere. Sheena was super prompt in following up the case during this time. Without her efforts it was not possible to reach at this stage.
I am thankful to Mr.Rajiv Khanna and his staff for all the help during these nine years.
As of November 20, 2009, approximately 56,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed. USCIS has approved sufficient H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees to meet the exemption of 20,000 from the fiscal year 2010 cap. Any H-1B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H-1B cap of 65,000.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has established a streamlined, standardized process for receiving requests for accommodations from customers with disabilities. Customers in need of accommodations from field offices and Application Support Centers should now call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD: 1-800-767-1833).
I got my GC yesterday. I am still waiting on GC for my wife because there is an RFE on her case.I didn't get the RFE information yet on my wife. This is my case ============ -US Masters Degree - EB2 , Priority Date Nov 2004 - Applied for EAD in Sep 2009. - Received EAD in three weeks and AP in four weeks. - Received GC yesterday after 70 days for my application date. I want to thanks Prerna Mehta for all her efforts. She was very patient, informative and supportive.
Q: Is there anything that can be done for I-730s and I-485s that are placed on hold for material support issues—i.e., should we send in a declaration stating that the client did not participate in any violence, does not believe the organization was violent, and did not provide material support to support violent activity? Or should we just wait for further guidance?
A: USCIS is open to inquiries regarding these cases that are on hold.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially opened a new Verification Operations Center in Buffalo, N.Y., today. The Center employs about 135 people and is dedicated solely to USCIS’ verification mission. The ceremony included a tribute to Medal of Honor recipient, Major John Farquhar, a Scottish immigrant who served with the Union Army during the Civil War and returned to Buffalo representing the city for six years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises its customers that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2010, signed by the President on Oct. 28, 2009, extends the following USCIS programs until Sept. 30, 2012:
Release Date
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers planning trips across the border into the United States to make sure they have the proper documents this weekend in conjunction with the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials want to remind the traveling public that there are a number of steps that can be taken to facilitate their arrival into the United States.
Travelers are reminded to check traffic at all local border crossings within the Buffalo/Niagara region and select the crossing that is least congested.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program office has a new mailing address! SEVP recommends that all correspondence be mailed to the following mailing address: Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Attn: (Branch Name or Job Title), SEVP MS 5600, DHS/ICE, 500 12th Street, SW,; Washington, DC 20598-5600. The new main telephone number is (703) 603-3400.
Mr.Khanna and his whole team worked on my complicated case and made it possible. There was a lot of effort that went in during the whole process but finally it worked. Working with his team was so easy and the responses were very quick. During the whole process I never felt once that my case is not being treated as priority. Mr. Khanna made himself available when it was required and guided me thru the whole process. My special thanks to Rena, Sheena and Anna without you guys it would not have been possible to reach at this stage. Thanks a zillion Mr.Khanna for your advise and support during the rough time we went thru. Amit Gupta