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 pass away during adjudication of the immigration application. The law extends the non-minister religious worker program. This authorization allows qualified religious organizations to sponsor aliens under religious occupations other than minister under the R-1 nonimmigrant category. The law also reauthorizes the Conrad 30 program. This program allows foreign physicians under J-1 nonimmigrant status to change status to H-1B under limited circumstances. The law also reauthorizes the E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an electronic employment verification program. Currently, all federal contractors are required to use the E-Verify program to verify the lawful working status of employees. The compliance with the program is also required by some states. Furthermore, E-Verify compliance is required by employers in order the obtain the 17 month extension for OPT employees. The Chander Law Firm applauds the administration for the reauthorization of these important government programs. Links FY10 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill (P.L.111–83)
