Updates Regarding USCIS New York District Office
The New York chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued notes from the most recent liaison meeting the the USCIS New York District Office. Updates regarding the office include: Information Desk to be Manned by Actual Immigration Officers District Director Andrea Quarantillo stated that immigration officers will now man information desks on the […]
H-1B Visas for Fiscal Year 2010 Remaining as of October 30, 2009
On November 3, 2009, USCIS issued an update on the remaining number of cap-subject H-1B visas for fiscal year 2010. Fiscal year 2010 visas would allow foreign workers to begin employment with United States employers on October 1, 2010. 53,800 cap-subject H-1B visas have been filed. An unknown number of H-1B1 visas for nationals of […]
USCIS Issues H-1B Fraud and Compliance Assessment
The USCIS Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), a division of the National Security and Records Verification (NSRV) Directorate in collaboration with the USCIS office of Chief Counsel issued a report in September 2009 assessing the integrity of the H-1B nonimmigrant program. The report provided primary fraud and technical violations based on a […]
USCIS Ombudsman Recommends Changes to H-1B LCA Acceptance Requirements
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On October 23, 2009, the USCIS Ombudsman recommended changes to the H-1B filing process in light of errors and delays in the approval of Labor Condition Applications (LCA). The Ombudsman recommended that: 1) USCIS reinstate the previous practice of temporarily accepting an H-1B petition supported by proof of timely filing of an […]
Final Rule Issued to Remove HIV Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a final rule removing HIV from the definiion of communicable disease of public health significance and remove references to HIV from the scope of medical examinations for aliens. The change removes HIV from the list […]
President Obama Extends Programs for Religious Workers, Physicians, and E-Verify
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111–83, FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations. The bill extends several immigration related programs for an additional two year period. The bill also provides statutory authority for USCIS to complete processing of permanent residence applications for relatives of immigrant sponsors who […]
USCIS Dallas Field Office Processing Immediate Relative Petitions Quickly
DALLAS, TEXAS — The Chander Law Firm recommends that individuals under the jurisdiction of the Dallas USCIS Field Office seeking to obtain permanent resident status in the immediate relative category consider filing their applications immediately as the Dallas Field Office is meeting record processing timelines. Jointly filed immediate relative petitions and adjustment of status applications […]
USCIS Revises Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
From USCIS.gov — USCIS revised Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. _____ USCIS Update: USCIS Revises Form I-601, Application for Waiver USCIS has revised Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (Revision Date 04/06/09 N, OMB Expiration Date 04/30/11) to make it easier for applicants to complete. Applicants may now […]
USCIS Issues Guidance on Public Charge
USCIS.gov — USCIS issues guidance on the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The agency clarifies that non-cash benefits and special-purpose cash benefits that are not intended for income maintenance are not subject to public charge consideration. Of special note medicare, CHIP, WIC, housing benefits, earned Social Security benefits, and unemployment insurance benefits are not considered […]
USCIS Issues Guidance on Transitional Worker Program for CNMI
From USCIS.gov — USCIS issues a press release regarding the implementation of a transitional worker program for the CNMI _________ USCIS Establishes Transitional Worker Program for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today published an interim final rule in the Federal Register that creates a Transitional Worker […]