WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States under certain circumstances. The… Continue Reading
Discussion of immigration issues, news, legal developments, and more
Category Archives: Immigration News
Supreme Court Rules on Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law; Racial Profiling Provision Upheld for Now
Supreme Court on Monday stroke down 3 out of 4 provisions of Arizona’s immigration enforcement law, but upheld the provision that requires local police to check the immigration status of anyone they have “reasonable suspicion” to believe is in the U.S. unlawfully. “This ruling is, on balance, encouraging, particularly because the court kept the door… Continue Reading
DHS ANNOUNCED THAT DEFERRED ACTION PROCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES
WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced that effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into… Continue Reading
U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Remarks Announcing New Interview Waiver Pilot Program
U.S. ambassador in China announced today that since February 13, 2012, the United States will lauch a new pilot program that permits consular officers to waive interviews for some qualified nonimmigrant applicants worldwide who are renewing their visa within 48 months of the expiration of their previously held visa, and within the same classification as the… Continue Reading
Obama’s 05-10-11 Remarks on Immigration Reform
In a sweeping seech in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, President Obama rallied voters to unite in support of comprehensive immigration reform – a longstanding campaign promise on which he has yet to deliver. While immigration rights activists largely approved of the sentiment behind the gesture, many argue that more action must be taken –… Continue Reading
US Labor Department announces protocols for certifying U visa applications
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced protocols to complete the portion of the U visa nonimmigrant status application requiring certification by a law enforcement agency that the applicant is a victim of a qualifying crime and willing to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of that crime. U visas, as… Continue Reading
USCIS Reaches FY 2011 H-1B Cap
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2011. USCIS is notifying the public that yesterday, Jan. 26, 2011, is the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in… Continue Reading
New Application and Petition Fees Go Into Effect on Nov. 23, 2010
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers that its new fee schedule goes into effect Nov. 23, 2010. Applications or petitions postmarked or otherwise filed on or after this date must include the new fee, or they will be rejected. The new fee schedule increases application and petition fees by an average of about… Continue Reading
USCIS Implements H-1B/L-1 Filing Fee Increase
WASHINGTON—On Aug. 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-230, which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. Effective immediately, Public Law 111-230 requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after Aug. 14,… Continue Reading
23 Arrested in New York Following Major Worksite Investigation
NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced today charges against 26 individuals for operating an international alien smuggling ring, 23 of whom were taken in custody. The defendants allegedly participated in various facets of the alien smuggling industry, including: transportation of illegal aliens from China to… Continue Reading