Headlines: 1. Effects of Government Shutdown on Immigration Services Summarized – E-Verify is unavailable, among other effects of the federal government shutdown. 2. Diversity Visa Registration for 2015 Program Begins; Nigeria No Longer Eligible – Online registration for the DV-2015 Program began on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at 12 noon EDT (GMT-4), and will conclude on Saturday, November 2, […]
Category Archives: Immigration Insider
Headlines: 1. State Dept. Sends Guidance to Posts on New Electronic Immigrant Visa Application – The Department of State recently sent a cable to all diplomatic and consular posts providing guidance and describing the timeline for deployment of the new electronic DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) and DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent). 2. USCIS Implements Identity Verification at […]
Headlines: 1. DHS Inspector General Releases Report on Implementation of L-1 Visa Regulations – Among other things, the report says that more communication between the Departments of Homeland Security and State would improve the processing of blanket L-1 petitions. 2. Special Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqis Set To Expire – Individuals applying under this program, including family members, must […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS To Conduct I-9 Form Study – Following a study to be conducted in September, USCIS plans to propose a revised I-9 form and invite public comment. 2. State Dept. Releases Cable, FAQ on DOMA – The Department of State recently released a FAQ and a cable to the field, “Next Steps on DOMA—Guidance for Posts.” 3. USCIS […]
Headlines: 1. DOL Proposes To Delay Effective Date of H-2B Wage Methodology Final Rule Indefinitely – The wage rule revised the methodology by which the DOL calculates the prevailing wage to be paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with temporary labor certifications to employ H-2B nonimmigrant workers. 2. USCIS Updates DOMA FAQ – The latest […]
Headlines: 1. DHS Issues FAQ on Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling – Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said she has “directed [USCIS] to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse.” 2. DOL Labor Certification Registry Goes Live – The registry is intended […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Passes Comprehensive Immigration Reform; House Passage Uncertain – On June 27, 2013, the full Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation, 68-32. 2. Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling Opens Door to Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses – About 30,000 same-sex binational couples may now be eligible for immigration benefits, thanks to the Supreme Court’s striking down the 1996 […]
Headlines: 1. Full Senate Considers Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill; House Approval Uncertain – The Senate is now debating the bill and considering amendments. A full vote is possible by the end of June. 2. Temporary Protected Status Extended for Salvadorans – DHS has extended TPS for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, beginning September 10, […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Committee Approves Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill – On May 21, 2013, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended S. 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013,” by a bipartisan vote of 13-5. The bill now goes to the Senate floor. 2. Signaling Flexibility Within Limits, USCIS Releases Final Version of […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Committee Begins Markup of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill – Additional markup dates are scheduled; the process is expected to be lengthy and involve numerous amendments. 2. DHS Orders Verification of Student Visas in Wake of Boston Bombings – Border agents are to use flight manifest information to verify student visa status, and check any for which […]