Visa Lawyer Blog

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Breaking news from the State Department. The online entry registration period for DV-2011 will be October 2 until November 30, 2009. Please, check back later for updates and instructions regarding online entry for DV-2011.

Form DS-5501 Electronic Diversity Visa (e-DV) Application for online Diversity Visa Lottery entry, is not available now. This official form is available only on the Department State, Diversity Visa online entry website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ during the online entry registration period.

The congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is administered on an annual basis by the Department of State and conducted under the terms of Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 131 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-649) amended INA 203 to provide for a new class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” (DV immigrants). Alien petitioners for the Diversity Visa Program will no longer be permitted to submit a petition by mail. Instead, the Department will require that all petitions be submitted to it in an electronic format, using an Internet website dedicated specifically to the submission and receipt of Diversity Visa.

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The State Department released the October Bulletin last week, the news are not so good overall.

The EB3 category is now available, but many priority dates go back to 2001 and 2002, still long waiting period for many applicants.

EB2 China advanced 2.5 months, while India priority dates move by 14 days only. EB4 category is still unavailable.

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We now know that Immigration, especially illegal immigration is a big part of the American Health care debate. President Obama’s prime-time address to Congress and the nation on health care prompted a Republican congressman to shout “you lie!” when the president covered Health coverage for illegal Immigrants.

The President said that his proposal would not cover illegal immigrants, a remark that prompted Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina to shout “You lie!”

The president is correct: The House bill contains a section (Sec. 246) titled “NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS,” which states: “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced on August 27, 2009, new directives to enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry—a critical step designed to bolster the Department’s efforts to combat transnational crime and terrorism while protecting privacy and civil liberties.

“Keeping Americans safe in an increasingly digital world depends on our ability to lawfully screen materials entering the United States,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The new directives announced today strike the balance between respecting the civil liberties and privacy of all travelers while ensuring DHS can take the lawful actions necessary to secure our borders.”

The new directives address the circumstances under which U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can conduct border searches of electronic media—consistent with the Department’s Constitutional authority to search other sensitive non-electronic materials, such as briefcases, backpacks and notebooks, at U.S. borders.

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United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an updated H-1B cap count of 45,100 as of August 28, 2009. This reflects an increase of 100 cases from the prior count, provided on August 14, 2009. The advanced-degree cap remains at 20,000. The USCIS continues to accept FY2010 H1B cases under the advanced-degree and regular caps.

We suggest to US employers to file H-1B Petitions only if they can able to provide the Client details like Letter from the end-client, Work-orders confirming the placement. If you are having an in-house requirement, provide USCIS with ample proof of your in-house requirements. Considering the flood of H-1B RFEs, we have to be bit cautious in filing works. The standard approach prevailing until last year needs a re-look. Be assured, if you are right on papers and abide the Immigration requirement, you will for sure come with flying colors. We will be happy to help and support you in H-1B and other filings. It is widely believed that the H-1B Cap will be available even after Sept. 30, 2009.

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The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) issued an August 20, 2009 press release, reporting a decline in offers of admission from U.S. graduate schools to prospective foreign students. This is the first decline in the rate of offers to foreign students since 2004.

While these significant reductions affected the overall decline in foreign student enrollment, the number of offers of admission to students from the People’s Republic of China grew at a rate of 13 percent. The CGS press release indicates that this was the fourth year in a row of double-digit growth in the number of students from China offered admission to U.S. graduate schools.

With the up coming biggest education Expo in China (http://www.phdchina.org/english/index.shtml), the US is the country of Honour at this show. This is a clear sign that Chinese students are looking at the US as the main destination for studies and future opportunities.

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From time to time, we are providing more information about the above referenced process. Although it may seem to be simple, we suggest you to consult a qualified immigration attorney before filing the application to become a permanent resident based on marriage to a US Citizen.

Prior to submitting the forms to Department of Homeland Security, there are 10 simple technical tips to follow for proper filing. They are as follows:

1. Use the most current edition of the form available on the USCIS Website; (www.uscis.gov)

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Hundreds of American Apparel Inc. workers must leave the company because they were unable to prove their immigration status or fix problems with their employment records, the bottom line is that almost 1600 workers were not legally allowed to work in the US.

ICE first conducted an inspection of American Apparel in early 2008 to determine if the company was complying with immigration laws. This past July, American Apparel received notification from ICE that the agency had been unable to verify the employment eligibility of approximately 200 American Apparel employees, and, based on ICE’s review of government databases, another 1,600 American Apparel employees did not appear to be authorized to work in the U.S.

Although the dismissals amount to more than 10% of American Apparel’s roughly 10,000-employee workforce, the company doesn’t expect problems for its business. American Apparel has a track record of being a strong advocate for immigration reform. The clothing company’s “Legalize LA” campaign is an integral part of the company’s culture. A combination of advertising, education and resources on American Apparel’s website shows just how committed the company is to raising awareness on the subject of immigration.

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How is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger going to save us money? How about massive deportation plan. California Corrections officials are reviewing the cases of undocumented immigrant prisoners to see who can be deported. About 6,000 up for consideration have more than one felony.

Releasing undocumented prisoners is part of the Governor’s plan to save the state about a billion dollars. The Governor has the power to release about 2000 undocumented immigrant prisoners. Included are those who have not committed serious, violent or sex crimes and have just one felony.

Mexican officials on the other hand, are not so pleased. Deporting thousands of criminals back to Mexico may weaken the current crackdown on drug gangs all across Mexico. Working together the two governments should find the middle ground.

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Wishing all our readers a happy Labor Day,and all the joys of a beautiful autumn. Make sure to take some time to relax and enjoy.

The editors at ilw.com wrote a nice greeting for Labor Day:

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 to pay tribute to American workers. We recognize and pay tribute to all workers in the US – both documented and undocumented – who work hard everyday to contribute to our great country.