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CBP Announces I-94W Pilot Program

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the launch of a pilot program to automate the arrival/departure form (Form I-94W) for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers from Auckland, New Zealand to Los Angeles International Airport. The pilot program eliminates the need for VWP travelers with approved travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel […]

December 2009 Visa Bulletin Released

VISA BULLETIN FOR DECEMBER 2009 A. STATUTORY NUMBERS 1. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security reports applicants for adjustment of […]

Updates Regarding USCIS Dallas Field Office

The Dallas, Texas local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued notes from its most recent liaison meeting the the USCIS Dallas Field Office. Updates include: Attorney Drop Box for Filings A new system has been implemented for attorneys to file application, petitions, and waivers in a drop box at the Dallas Field […]

AAO Processing Times as of November 1, 2009

AAO Processing Times as of November 1, 2009 Case Type Time I — 129F Petition for Fiancée 2 Months * I — 129 H1B Nonimmigrant Specialty Occupation Worker 13 Months I — 129 H2 Temporary Nonimmigrant Worker 6 Months * I — 129 H3 Temporary Nonimmigrant Worker 6 Months * I — 129 L Nonimmigrant […]

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 […]