The detentions of at least 11 families across the country marked the first day of an effort by the government to find and deport Central American immigrants who sought refuge in the U.S. and stayed illegally, immigrant advocates said Saturday.
EB-5 Provision Extended
A joint resolution in Congress has temporarily extended the EB-5 provision governing Regional Centers by granting funding of the program until December 16, 2015.
New Questions About Visa Used by California Shooters
The use of a relatively obscure visa to enter the U.S. by the Pakistani woman involved in last week’s terror attack in California has raised new concerns about the country’s visa programs.
Visa Bulletin for January 2016
This VISA BULLETIN (issued by the Department of State) summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers as of JANUARY 2016 for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
USCIS Issues Draft Guidance On Use Of Interpreters
The Policy Memorandum provides guidance on the role and use of interpreters who appear before the USCIS.
Paris Attacks Reshape U.S. Debate on Immigration
U.S. lawmakers called on Tuesday for even tighter scrutiny of Syrian refugees fleeing to the United States as last week's deadly Paris attacks U.S. debate on immigration and national security, prompting a sharp rebuke from President Barack Obama, who said attempts to block entry were "offensive and contrary to American values".
EB-5 Debate Heats Up in Washington
Congressional debate on EB-5 immigration program which allows foreign nationals who invest in job-creating projects through Regional Centers to get green cards is heating up in Washington as program expiration date nears on December 11, 2015.
Visa Bulletin - December 2015
Immigrant Visa Numbers for December 2015 released by the Department of State in the Visa Bulletin
This visa bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during DECEMBER 2015 for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
New Bi-Partisan Bill Push For H-1B, L-1 Visa Reforms
A new Bi-Partisan Bill introduced by Senators Grassley and Durbin is pushing for H-1B, L-1 Visa Reforms.
U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Dick Durbin, Assistant Democratic Leader, today are introducing bipartisan legislation that would reform the H-1B visa program, consistent with Congress’s original intent, by ensuring that qualified American workers are given the first opportunity at high-skilled job opportunities. The legislation makes reforms to increase enforcement, modify wage requirements and ensure protection for American workers as well as visa holders. Grassley and Durbin first introduced this legislation in 2007 and have been long-time proponents of H-1B reform.
Hardship Created by Visa Deadline Revision
16 House Democrats expressed their disappointment in a letter to Department of Homeland Security’s Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry, and urged U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) to make up for the hardship created by the visa deadline revision for highly skilled workers in the employment-based immigrant categories.
On September 9th, the monthly visa bulletin made a significant change in the process of filing for immigrant visa applications. Before, the visa cutoff dates were based on a single chart system, which governed both the visa issued date and the application filing date. With the new change, the visa bulletin system now runs on two charts system; “Application Final Action Dates,” which shows cutoff dates that govern when visa can be issued and the new chart, “Dates for Filing,” showing cutoff dates for when application can be filed.
The new chart is significant because the cutoff dates are later than the dates in the original charts. This means that immigrants with later priority dates can submit their application much earlier.
However, after releasing the October visa bulletin with the newly implemented system, State Department revised the October Bulletin cutoff dates for “Dates for Filing” chart. The revision setback the cutoff dates for EB-2 Visa applicants from India by two years and EB-2 Visa applicants from China by 16 months.
The sudden revision for “Dates for Filing” chart caused “hardships” to numerous applicants who thought they qualified according to the previous indicated date. These applicants already paid for medical examinations and attorney’s fees.
The 16 House Democrats urged the State Department to make up for the “hardships” caused by the recent revision.
Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Mike Honda, D-Calif., who said to represent the districts Silicon Valley district, led the letter writing to DHS. The letter mentions that the “current visa backlog and restrictions already create incentives for skilled foreign workers to leave the (U.S.) and take their skills to other countries that offer more competitive immigration programs.”
The letter to the DHS mentioned that the EB-2 visa applicants from countries like India and China should implement methods to give permission to legally work under certain qualifying condition. In addition, a revision of “an extraordinary circumstance” beyond the control of applicants filing late request to extend their nonimmigrant statuses was requested as well.
The 16 House Democrats are pushing the concept of “moving forward with real, lasting comprehensive immigration reform” and not continuing to “roll back the clock on our immigration policies.”