Updated July 2, 2008USCIS Launches FOIA Request Status Check.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched the online FOIA
Request Status Check service, which provides a quick and secure way to
check the status of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. An
immediate response may be obtained online by entering the assigned control
number into the FOIA Request Status Check. Click
here to
read this news release.
Updated June 28, 2008
USCIS Now Offering Grace Period Following
Release of New Form I-9. USCIS has revised the Form I-9 page on its
website to indicate that it is accepting the "Rev. 6/5/07" edition of the
form. USCIS recently released a new edition of Form I-9, dated 6/16/08.
Please visit
http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.
CBP Announces Registered Traveler Program Partnership with the UK.
On 6/24/08, CBP announced a joint agreement with the UK to integrate
CBP's Global Entry program with the British registered traveler program.
Click here to
read this news release.
Updated June 23, 2008
USCIS Acting Director Scharfen Answers
Questions about Case Processing in DHS Leadership Journal. "You've
asked many questions. But most of all, you want to know when USCIS will
complete your case. Let me try to address some of your concerns."
Please visit
http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.
Click
here for
more information.
A 5/27/08 edition of Form I-765, Application for Employment
Authorization, is available for use.
Click
here
for more information.
Updated June 16, 2008
USCIS Announcement on 2-Year EADs: Limited in
Scope. A USCIS Update and fact sheet, regarding a recent
announcement by Secy Chertoff that USCIS would start issuing 2-year work
authorizations, make clear that the expanded EADs apply only to adjustment
applicants with visa numbers not current. Fact sheet follows the Update.
Click
here to read the Update.
Updated June 12, 2008
EB-3 Category Will Become Unavailable: Adjustment Applications to be
Accepted Through End of June. Effective July 2008, the EB-3
category will become unavailable until October 1, 2008. Adjustment of
status applications will continue to be accepted and receipted through the
end of June.
USCIS to Resume Premium Processing for Certain I-140s.
On June 11, 2008, USCIS announced that it will resume premium
processing for certain I-140s starting in mid-June. To read the USCIS
Update and the Fact Sheet, please click
here.
FY2009 Cap-Subject H-1B Update. On June 11,
2008, SCOPS provided an update regarding FY2009 H-1B filings as they
relate to: duplicate filings, receipting issues, the and random selection
process. For more information, please click
here to read
the update.
President Amends Executive Order to Require E-Verify for
Contractors. President Bush issued Executive Order 13465,
which amended Executive Order 12989, indicating that federal contracting
agencies cannot enter into contracts with employers that do not "use the
best available means to confirm the work authorization of their
workforce," i.e. E-Verify. (73 FR 33283, 6/11/08). For more information,
please see click
here.
Chertoff Announces 2-Year EADs in State of Immigration Address.
On June 9, 2008, Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez gave an address on the "State of
Immigration." Embedded in the statement is the announcement that USCIS
will begin issuing 2-year Employment Authorization Cards (EADs) to
individuals with a pending adjustment of status application. Click
here
for more information.
USCIS Centralizes Naturalization Application Processing.
On June 5, 2008, USCIS released an update announcing the
centralization of naturalization application processing. The
administrative change will not alter where applicants file their N-400
applications; however, each application will be transferred to the
National Benefits Center in an effort to increase efficiency. Applicants
should receive a transfer notice once their application has been moved.
House Passes Bill to Extend EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program.
On June 9, 2008, the House of Representatives passed, by a voice
vote through a fast-track procedure known as the "suspension calendar," a
bill to extend the EB-5 regional center pilot program for five years.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): Frequently Asked
Questions. ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of
visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.
Click
here to read the ESTA FAQ.
Updated June 9, 2008
DHS Publishes Interim Final Rule on Pre-Travel
Authorization for VWP Travelers. On 6/9/08 DHS published an
interim final rule on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA),
an online pre-travel authorization system for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Comments are due 8/8/08. Click
here for more
information.
Laws, Resolutions, and Policies Instituted Across the U.S. Limiting
Enforcement of Immigration Laws by State and Local Authorities - NILC.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) comprehensive table of state and
local laws, resolutions and policies aimed at limiting the enforcement of
immigration law by state and local authorities. Click
here
to download.
Port-of-Entry to Reopen in Washington State. CBP announced
that the Boundary port-of-entry in Washington state will reopen on June 9,
2008 at 9 am.
Secretary Chertoff's Remarks on Electronic Pre-Travel Authorization
for VWP Travelers. DHS Secretary Chertoff's 6/3/08 remarks
following the announcement of an interim final rule on the Electronic
System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), an electronic pre-travel
authorization system for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries.
Required use of ESTA for VWP travelers will take effect next year. Click
here to read the press release.
USCIS Update on Lockbox Change of Address. On 5/30/08
USCIS issued an update regarding a change of address for the Chicago
Lockbox. Private Courier Deliveries Automatically Forwarded For 90 Days -
Does Not Affect U.S. Mail. Click
here to read
the press release.
CBP Creates Website Page for the Global Entry Program. CBP
created a page on its website devoted to information on the international
trusted traveler Global Entry program, which includes an online
application link, eligibility and fee information, an information guide, a
fact sheet and FAQs.
Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/ for
more information.
USCIS Releases Supplemental Q & As on OPT Extension for STEM
Students. USCIS posted supplemental Q & As to its website
regarding the 4/4/08 interim final rule extending optional practical
training (OPT) for qualified F-1 nonimmigrant students. Click
here to read
the press release.
USCIS Modifies Application for Temporary Protected Status. May
28, 2008 - USCIS announces that it has revised the Application for
Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Form I-821. The new form must be used as
of June 27, 2008.
Please visit
http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.
SSI Beneficiaries can request expedited
processing of Forms I-485 and N-400. Questions and
Answers: Expedited Processing Available for Certain Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) Beneficiaries.
Please visit
http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.
Updated May 4, 2008
USCIS modified
medical exam form. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has
revised Form I-693, Report of Medical
Examination and Vaccination Record. The revision was necessitated by
changes to the Tuberculosis (TB) Component of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons. This
revised form (edition date 04/02/08) must be used for any medical
examination completed on or after May 1, 2008. Previous editions of the
Form I-693 may not be used on or after that date.
DHS Announces Aviation Security & Travel Screening Changes.
An April 28, 2008, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) press release announced that airlines will be able to
systematically verify and store a passenger's date of birth to clear up
watch list misidentifications, enabling more passengers to check in
remotely.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement publishes a National Detainee Handbook outlining detainee’s rights and
responsibilities. Click
here for a copy.
News Archives:
April 2008
March 2008
February
2008
January 2008
December
2007
November
2007
October 25, 2007 (Spanish)
October
25, 2007
The “no-match” rule has been blocked and
is not in effect!
October
24, 2007
October
22,
2007
September 25, 2007
September 11, 2007
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22, 2007
August 8,
2007
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