Diversity Immigrant Visa Program Sees Sharp Increase
A Consular Affairs Update released by the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs reports that the 2011 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2011) has seen a 63 percent increase in the number of first week registrations from the preceding year. The Bureau projects that there will be more than 13,000,000 entries before the registration period […]
Vishal Chander Provides “Know Your Rights†Seminar to Immigration Detainees
DALLAS, TEXAS — On October 0, 2009, attorney Vishal Chander, The Chander Law Firm, presented a “Know Your Rights†seminar to immigration detainees. The Know Your Rights seminar was a volunteer program coordinated by the Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), in cooperation with the Immigration Court and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). […]
E-Notification of Receipt for Applications Filed at Lockboxes
From USCIS.gov — USCIS has implemented an electronic notification system for application filed with USCIS Lockbox facilities in Chicago, Illinois, Phoenix Arizona, and Lewisville, Texas. Applications must include form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Acceptance. One email or text message will be sent per application. E-notices are only issued at the same time as the regular receipting […]
All Applicants Required to Take New Naturalization Exam October 1, 2009
From USCIS.gov: All applicants for naturalization will be required to take the new citizenship exam effective October 1, 2009. ______ USCIS Naturalization Test to Become Fully Implemented U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reminding the public that beginning Oct. 1, all citizenship applicants must take the new naturalization test, regardless of when they filed […]
Department of State Issues Information on 2011 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The Department of State has issued instructions for the 2011 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2011). The program is sometimes commonly referred to as the visa lottery. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program provides 55,000 foreign national from countries with lower rates of immigration permanent resident status in the United States. Individuals from countries with over 50,000 […]
DHS Rescinds Safe-Harbor Provisions for Employers Receiving No-Match Letters
As reported in the Federal Register on October7, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is rescinding regulations promulgated on August 15, 2007 regarding procedures employers may take to acquire safe-harbor after receiving No-Match letters. The changes are effective November 6, 2009. No-Match letters are issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when social security […]
Obama Signs Stopgap Bill to Extend E-Verify, Religious Work, Conrad 30 and EB-5 Programs Through October 31
With the programs soon to sunset, President Obama signed a resolution to extend various immigration programs through October 31, 2009. The programs include E-Verify, Religious Worker, Conrad 30, and EB-5 programs. The programs are expected to be extended again in the coming weeks. About the Author Vishal Chander is an immigration attorney and founder of […]
USCIS Issues Clarification on Agents Petitioning for O & P Visas
USCIS has issued guidance regarding the filing requirements for agents seeking to petition for aliens on O and P visa status. The clarifications by USCIS provide that a petition involving multiple employers may be filed by a person or company in business as an agent as representative of both the employers and beneficiary if the […]
USCIS Update: Change of Filing Location for Form I-600 and I 600A
From USCIS.gov: USCIS changes filing locations for Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, and Form I 600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. USCIS Update: Change of Filing Location for Form I-600 and I 600A WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a new address for prospective adoptive parents […]
From ICE: Secretary Napolitano Announces Immigration Detention Reform Initiative
Reprinted from ICE.gov: Article regarding recent announcement of new initiatives to reform the immigration detention system. ________ October 6, 2009 Secretary Napolitano and ICE Assistant Secretary Morton announce new immigration detention reform initiatives WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton today announced new […]