IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SYRIAN NATIONALS

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SYRIAN NATIONALS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 23, 2012 STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY JANET NAPOLITANO ON TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS F...

TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SYRIAN NATIONALS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 23, 2012 STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY JANET NAPOLITANO ON TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SYRIAN NATIONAL "In the light of the deteriorating condition in Syria, I am announcing the Department of Homeland Security will be designating Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians currently present in the United States. Conditions in Syria have worsened to the point where Syrian nationals already in the United States would face serious treats to their personal safety if they were to return to their home country. Early next week the Department will publish a notice in the Federal Register that will provide further guidance about TPS eligibility requirements and registration procedures. All applicants must undergo full background checks and while Syrians in the United States are encouraged to apply, they should not submit their applications before the notice is published."

GLOBAL ENTRY PROGRAM

Global Entry is an initiative of the Customs and Border Protection introduced in July 2011 that provides expedited immigration and customs clearance to pre-approved, low-risk air travels upon arrival in the United States to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian landed immigrants, Mexican citizens, and Dutch citizens who are members of Privium,the Netheland trust travel program. Qualified applicants can complete one application and receive access to all modes of travel into the United States by using automated kioski located at selected airport. The program is placed at the following 24 international airports in the United States: Boston-Logon International Airport, Chicago O 'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, George Bush International Airport, Hartsfields-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, McCarran International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, San Juan-Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington-Dallas International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. At the airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kioskis, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs verification. The kioski issues the traveler a transaction receipt and direct them to baggage claim and exit.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: VISA WAIVER PROGRAM COMES AT A HIGH COST

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: VISA WAIVER PROGRAM COMES AT A HIGH COST: Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. Congress established the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) "to facilitate international travel and promote the ...

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM COMES AT A HIGH COST

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.

Congress established the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) "to facilitate international travel and promote the effective use of resources of affected government agencies while not posing a threat to the welfare, health, safety, and security of the United States." Nose v. Atty Gen., 993 F.2d 75, 77n. 2(5th Cir. 1993)(quoting 53 Fed. Reg. 24,898 (1988)). Under the VWP, a qualifying visitor may enter the United States without obtaining a visa, so long as, he or she meet the statutory and regulatory requirements. As part of the admission process under the VWP, a visitor must execute certain immigration form known as I-94W, Non immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form, presents a valid passport, and possesses a round-trip ticket. Once admitted under the VWP, a visitor may remain in the United States for 90 days. Under the VWP, a visitor must waive his or her right to contest the government's admissibility determinations and removal actions, except that the visitor may contest removal actions on the basis of asylum. The effects of this no-contest provision are severe. This is what Vera, a citizen of Argentina, found it out. In 2000, when Jordan Vera (also known as Jordana Vera-Serra)("Vera") was just 12-year-old, her Argentina parents brought her to the United States under the VWP. In 2011, while the Immigration Custom Enforcement agents were executing an arrest warrant for her brother, they took her into custody and scheduled removal without an appearance before an Immigration Judge, for staying beyond the 90 days that she was permitted to stay pursuant to the VWP under which she entered this country. Vera argued that the removal order was invalid because she was a minor when she entered in the United States and that she did not received procedural protections to which she would have been entitled absent such a waiver. The Third Circuit denied Vera's appeal, finding no prejudice resulting from their enforcement of the allegedly-defective waiver. The Court held that Vera would not have been allowed to enter without signing the waiver form (I-94W); if Vera had been of majority age and had knowingly and voluntarily had executed the waiver, she would not have been entitled to the procedural protections normally afforded to any alien prior to removal. There is no dispute that Vera knowingly and voluntarily signed the VWP waiver. Accordingly, Vera waived the due process right to a hearing before an immigration judge.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: VISA WAITING TIMES

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: VISA WAITING TIMES: Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. The State Department has provided detail on a pilot program that will waive interviews for some nonimmi...

VISA WAITING TIMES

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.

The State Department has provided detail on a pilot program that will waive interviews for some nonimmigrants visa applicants. Under the pilot program, which is expected to run through January 19, 2012, consular officers can waive nonimmigrant visa interviews for certain applicants who are renewing a visa more than 12 months but less than 48 months after the expiration of their visa, and within the same classification as the previous visa.

In the past, the standard procedure was for the visa applicant to make a personal appearance at the consulate, submit the application to a consular representative, and await issuance of the visa. The applicant usually waited in line at that office to submit the papers to a consular representative who made a preliminary review of the papers for completeness. After a wait, during which the papers were reviewed by a consular officer, the applicant would be called to a front counter, window, or desk to be questioned on the application by a consular officer. If the consular officer was satisfied that the visa should be issued, the visa applicant waited while the visa was affixed to his or her passport.

In most cases, the MRV fee and the application fee (if any) must be paid in advance of the interview appointment and evidence of such payment must be as part of the visa application.  On the date of the interview, the applicant must carry the necessary documents, including the appointment notice, visa application form confirmation page, proof of payment of the MRV fee, his or her passport, photos, and supporting documents establishing eligibility for the particular nonimmigrant visa sought.

Immediately preceding the interview with the consular official, the applicant will have his or her fingerprints scanned. This process enables consular offices to deny visas to persons on any watch list and to identify this applicant for purposes of future applications. Applicants will also be required to certify under penalty of perjury, before the interview, that they have read and understood the questions on the visa application and that all statements made on the application are true and correct. The purpose of the requirement is to counter any attempts by visa applicants to repudiate misstatements on their visa applications by claiming that someone else prepared their application and/or changed information on the application between the time of submission and time of the interview. During the interview the applicant will be asked questions addressing his or her eligibility for the visa classification sought and any inadmissibility issues that may apply. The applicant will also be asked to pay the reciprocity fee (if applicable) and any other fees (such as the anti-fraud fee in L-1 blanket petition cases).

Posts no longer provide same-day visa issuance. Issuance of the visa within a few days of the interview is common--the post will typically return the applicant’s passport with the visa using a pre-paid mailer provided by the applicant.

Significant visa issuance delays are possible particularly if there are issues with regard to any security checks that require further “administrative processing.”  Most issues are resolved within 60 days of application.

Information extracted from 2012 Thomson Reuters and U.S. Department of State

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: 17-Month Extension Of OPT For Students With STEM D...

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: 17-Month Extension Of OPT For Students With STEM D...: February 08, 2012 Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. On April 4, 2008 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Optional Prac...

17-Month Extension Of OPT For Students With STEM Degree

February 08, 2012

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.

On April 4, 2008 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Optional Practical Training Interim Final Rule. Under that rule, the DHS extended the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension also became available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who were employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program.

On February 2, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") proposed another administrative reform. At this time, it proposes to expand eligibility for 17-month extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) (12+17=29) for F-1 International Students to include a prior degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM).

Currently, F-1 students who graduate in programs of study classified as STEM can obtain a 17-month extension of OPT as part of their F-1 status if their degree is included on the DHS list of eligibility for extension of OPT.

If the proposal is approved, it will expand eligibility for extension of OPT by including students with a STEM degree that is not the most recent degree that the student has received.  It will be good for the U.S. economy.

IMMIGRATION JUDGES AND BOARD MAY ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSE REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS EVEN IF DHS OPPOSES IT

February 06, 2012

Posted by: Norka M. Schell, Esq.


The Matter of Gutierrez is now overruled by Bavakan Avetisyan.

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) held that the Immigration Judges and Board may, in the exercise of independent judgment and discretion, administratively close proceedings under the appropriate circumstances, even if a party opposes. 25 I&N Dec. 688 (BIA 2012)

Bavakan Avetisyan is a woman who is native and citizen of Armenia. She came to the United States legally with a J-1 visa to pursue her studies. She overstayed her visa. She was placed into proceedings by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She married to an U.S. citizen and they have a child together. An immigrant petition was filed on her behalf and if approved, Avetisyan, she would eligible to an adjustment of status. While her immigrant petition still pending adjudication, Avetisyan requested the Immigration Judge to administratively close her case. DHS opposed to Avetisyan's request, and instead requested for a continuance of the proceedings. The Immigration Judge denied the DHS's request for continuance and granted Avetisyan's request to administratively close proceedings. The DHS filed an appeal. The appeal was decided and dismissed on January 31, 2012.

H-2 NUMBERS FOR TEMPORARY NON-AGRICULTURAL WORKER STILL AVAILABLE

February 01, 2012 Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. The H-2B visa category is used by U.S. companies temporarily to employ skilled or unskilled foreign nationals in nonagricultural positions for which the employer has a temporary need and for which qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. The company must intended to employ the foreign nationals for a temporary period and the employer's need for the skills possessed by the foreign nationals must also be temporary. H-2 numbers for Temporary non-agricultural worker continue to be available for employment in the first half of FY 2012 which runs from Oct. 1, 2011 to Mar. 31, 2012.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: TOURISM IS GOOD FOR AMERICA

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: TOURISM IS GOOD FOR AMERICA: January 30, 2011 Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. Tourism is good for America, even President Obama knows that. On January 19, Presiden...

TOURISM IS GOOD FOR AMERICA

January 30, 2011 Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. Tourism is good for America, even President Obama knows that. On January 19, President Obama issues "Executive Order Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness." The Travel and Tourism industry is one of the America's leading services sectors and sources of exports. The Executive Order is intended to improve visa and foreign visitor processing and travel promotion in order to create jobs and spur economic growth in the U.S. while continuing to protect national security. The Executive Order establishes a task force on travel and competitiveness to develop a national travel and truism strategy within 90 days of the date of the Executive Order. The task force is charged with: 1. Making recommendations for new policies and initiates to promote domestic and international travel opportunities throughout the United States with the goal of increasing the countries' market share of worldwide travel 2. Considering recommendations to promote and expand travel and tourism opportunities in rural communities, and 3. Identifying and barrier to increasing the United States market share of worldwide travel as well as any other related areas of concern. The President also directs his agencies to develop an implementation plan within 60 days of the Executive Order to (a) increase nonimmigrant visa processing capacity in Brazil and China by 40 percent over the coming year; (b) ensure the 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks of receipt of application; (c) increase efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and travel by nationals of VWP participants, and (4) expand reciprocal recognition programs for expedited travel, such as the Global Entry program. With responsibility and committment let's make easy for turists to visit the United States.

No Conviction, But No Freedom: ICE Jails Over 13,000 Immigrants

No Conviction, But No Freedom: ICE Jails Over 13,000 Immigrants

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: The L-1 Visa Category

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: The L-1 Visa Category: January 23, 2011 Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. The L nonimmigrant visa category is one of the most useful tools available to internati...

The L-1 Visa Category

January 23, 2011

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.

The L nonimmigrant visa category is one of the most useful tools available to international companies needing to bring foreign employees to the United States.  If a few basic requirements can be met, many advantages exist to using the L category.

The L nonimmigrant visa category enables a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee who are in managerial or executive roles, and specialized knowledge personnel relating to the organization’s interests from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. It also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee to the United States to help establish one.

The questions then are: Is the employee to be transferred currently working in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity with the company abroad? Will he or she work in one of these capacity with your company in the United States?  

Which of the three capacities is to be filled by the employee in the United States is very important for two reasons:

(1) different limits on stay apply to executive and managers (seven years of    stay) and on specialized knowledge personnel (five years of stay); and

(2) managers and executives have a fast route to permanent residence, unavailable to specialized knowledge personnel, based on the creation of a new preference by the 1990 Act for L-1 types managers and executives.

With regard who qualifies as 'specialized knowledge" employee, the 1990 Act states that an alien is considered to be serving in a capacity involving specialized knowledge with respect to a company if the alien:

-- has a specialized knowledge of the company product and its application in international markets, or

-- has an advanced level of knowledge of processes and procedures of the company.

An important note. If the U.S. company and the company abroad have no legal corporate relationship-one, it is not an L-1 situation.

Family members of the L-1, such as the spouse and minor unmarried children under the age of 21, are also entitled to admission in the United States. Once they are admitted, they receive a classification as L-2 status. The L-2 nonimmigrants can undertake courses of study in the U.S. and the spouses can apply and obtain employment authorization.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: Timing is Everything: Getting Your Driver's Licens...

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: Timing is Everything: Getting Your Driver's Licens...: [Source: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bm1112-05-dmv-timing.pdf ] To: All SEVIS Users Date: January 17, 2012 Re: Timing is Everyth...

Timing is Everything: Getting Your Driver's License or Social Security Number

[Source: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bm1112-05-dmv-timing.pdf]

To: All SEVIS

Users Date: January 17, 2012 Re: Timing is Everything: Getting Your Driver’s License or Social Security Number Number 1112-05

Background

New F, M and J nonimmigrants often apply for a driver’s license or Social Security number (SSN) either too early after entering the United States or without the proper documentation. The purpose of the following information is to highlight best practices for incoming F, M and J nonimmigrants.1

Purpose

One of the first things a new F, M or J nonimmigrant typically wants to do after entering the United States is get a driver’s license or, where appropriate, an SSN. Like many things, however, correct timing is everything. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program wants all F, M or J nonimmigrants eligible for a driver’s license or an SSN to have the easiest experience possible. Following these six simple tips makes the process go much smoother and saves a lot of time in the end:

1. Wait 10 days after you arrive in the United States. You may want to apply for a driver’s license or SSN right away, but be patient. The 10-day wait allows time for all the government databases to update with your arrival information.

2. Know what you are applying for and if you are eligible. While you are waiting, talk with your school’s designated school official (DSO) or sponsor’s responsible officer (RO) or alternate responsible officer (ARO) to learn more about your state’s driving rules and regulations. If you want an SSN, have your DSO or RO/ARO confirm that you are eligible before you apply.

3.Make sure your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up-to-date and in Active status. SEVIS is the database that contains information for all F, M and J nonimmigrants in the United States. A DSO manages an F or M nonimmigrant’s SEVIS record. An RO/ARO manages an exchange visitor’s SEVIS record. The DSO or RO/ARO (whichever applies to you) must place your record in Active status when you report to the school or program. Talk with your DSO or RO/ARO before you apply for a license or SSN to make sure your record is Active in SEVIS. If your record is not Active when you apply, your application will be rejected.

F-1 and M-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and accompanying F-2, M-2 or J-2 dependents

4. Check your forms. Check all your forms to make sure your information is correct. This
is data integrity. Data integrity is very important because if you have different
information on different forms, it will cause delays. Specifically, check your Form I-94,
“Arrival/Departure Record,” for handwritten information. If the information on your
Form I-94 is different than on your passport or Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for
Nonimmigrant Student Status,” or Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for
Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,” please see the DMV Fact Sheet for more information.

5. Wait two days after your DSO or RO/ARO activates your record in SEVIS. After
your DSO or RO/ARO activates your record in SEVIS, you should wait at least two
federal business days before you apply for a driver’s license or SSN. This gives all the
databases time to update with your new information.

6. Bring all your paperwork. When you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) –
the common name for a state government office that issues driver’s licenses – or to the
Social Security office, remember to bring all your paperwork. For most states, the
paperwork includes these documents:

 Form I-20 or Form DS-2019

 Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record”

 Passport (with visa, if applicable)

 Proof of legal presence or residence (ask your DSO or RO/ARO what your state

requires)

For an SSN, you must also bring a letter of employment and an endorsed Form I-20 (for
F students). Exchange visitors should consult with their RO/ARO first to make sure the
Social Security Administration requires a letter of employment for the J category.

These six tips should help you get your driver’s license or SSN without having any major
problems. If you are interested in specific details about F-2, M-2 or J-2 dependents, please see
page 8 of the DMV Fact Sheet. Always talk with your DSO or RO/ARO before you try to apply.

Your DSO or RO/ARO may have more information about your particular state. Safe travels!

Learn More

Driving in the United States
http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/resources/driving/

Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)
http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/resources/social-security-number/

DMV Fact Sheet
http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/dmv_factsheet.pdf

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: STATE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE VISA INTERVIE...

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: STATE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE VISA INTERVIE...: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/01/180628.htm YEAR-ON-YEAR DEMAND UP IN CHINA AND BRAZIL: STATE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE VISA...

STATE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE VISA INTERVIEW WAIT TIMES

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/01/180628.htm

YEAR-ON-YEAR DEMAND UP IN CHINA AND BRAZIL: STATE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE VISA INTERVIEW WAIT TIMES

Visa processing in Brazil and China jumped more than 50 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 from the same period in 2011. At the same time, on our missions in China and Brazil decreased the wait for visa interviews. In China, visa interview wait times are only two days at any of our five - processing posts. In Brazil, wait times are down to 15 days in Rio de Janeiro and six days in Brasilia.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION: Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. What is a prosecutorial discretion for immigration purpose? If a person is detained by the the Depar...

PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.  

What is a prosecutorial discretion for immigration purpose?

If a person is detained by the the Department of Homeland Security, or is placed in removal proceedings, his or her lawyer may request that the agency or an officer with enforcement authority to decide whether to enforce a law in the particular case.  In its exercise of prosecutorial discretion, the government may decline to institute, administrative close the proceedings and/or may grant the person deferred action status, allowing the person to remain in the United States for a certain period of time, possibly with employment authorization. It is important to know that the government's prosecutorial discretion does not allow it to grant permanent or lawful immigration status, however, to persons who are otherwise ineligible.  

Last December, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore launched a pilot program to review which will review 5,000 non-detained cases currently on it docket to determine which ones should be administratively closed as per instructions from the ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor. The pilot program is scheduled to last until January 12, 2012. Given the quick pace of review, ICE Baltimore encourages the attorneys to file requests for administrative closure. 

The factors that the government uses in determining whether to exercise prosecutorial discretion favorably for a foreign national are these cases involving foreign national: 

• who is a member in good standing of the Coast Guard or Armed Forced of the United States, an honorably discharged veteran of the Cost Guard or Armed Forced of the United States, or the spouse or children of such a member or veteran;
• who is a child, has been in the United States for more than five years, and is either in school or has successfully completed high school (or its equivalent);
• who came to the United States under the age of sixteen, has been in the United States for more than five years, has completed high school (or its equivalent), and is now pursuing or has successfully completed higher education in the United State;
• who is over the age of sixty-five and has been present in the United States for more than ten years;
• who is victim of domestic violence in the United States, human trafficking  to the United States; or of any other serious crimes in the United States;
• who has been a lawful permanent resident for ten years or more and has a single, minor conviction for a non-violent offense;
• who suffers from a serious mental or physical condition that would require significant medical or detention resources; or
• who has very long-term presence in the United States, has an immediate family member who is a United States citizen, and has established compelling ties and made compelling contributions to the United States.

An Immigration Judge can and must terminate proceedings when he or she finds that the person is not removable as charged. If proceedings are terminated, these individual could be given deferred action status while waiting for their priority dates to become current, as which allow them to work and qualify for certain public benefit until they are eligible to adjust status.

For more information about about prosecutorial discretion please visit our website at http://www.lawschell.com/ or call our office at (212) 564-1589.

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: FAIRNESS FOR HIGH-SKILLED WORKERS ACT

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY: FAIRNESS FOR HIGH-SKILLED WORKERS ACT: Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq. http://www.lawschell.com/ The U.S. House of Representative has overwhelmingly passed the...

FAIRNESS FOR HIGH-SKILLED WORKERS ACT

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.
                http://www.lawschell.com/

The U.S. House of Representative has overwhelmingly passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Workers Act (H.R. 3012), a bill that should change the way employment-based (EB) green cards are allocated by eliminating country-specific quotas. 

If the bill becomes law, it will equalize the waiting times for EB permanent residence, which would result in significant advancement in EB green card availability for India and China and retrogression for certain other countries. The bill would also increase the country-specific quotas for family-based green cards.

The bill will not become law until it passes the Senate and is signed by the President.

Under the current law, no more than seven percent of the total number of EB green cards can be allocated to the natives of any single country. If there are more green card applications than immigrant visa numbers in an EB category for a specific country, the State Department determines a cut-off date for applications. A foreign national whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date for his EB category and country of birth is eligible to apply for adjustment of status or immigrant visa.  A foreign national whose priority date is later than the cut-off must wait in a green card queue until more immigrant visas become available for his country of birth and preference category.

If the bill is enacted, the way EB green cards are allocated would change significantly. The seven percent limit per country would be eliminated in 2015. Instead of separated queues for each country each EB green card category, there would be a eventually a single queue for each employment-based green card.

CHANGED FILING LOCATION FOR FORM I-130

Posted by Norka M. Schell, Esq.
                 www.LawSchell.com

USCIS changed the filing location for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative on January 1, 2012. From now on domestic petitioners must mail their stand-alone I-130 applications to either the Chicago Lockbox or the Phoenix Lockbox, depending on where they reside in the United States. 

Note that there will be no change in filing locations when submitting Form I-130 along with Form I-485. Individuals who submit their Form I-130 packages to the incorrect Lockbox location may experience a delay in processing.  USCIS NEWS

USCIS REMINDS SHEEPHERDING INDUSTRY

USCIS has issued a remainder to the sheepherding industry of the upcoming expiration of the one-time accommodation giving them more time to fully transition to the three-year limitation-of-stay requirements for the H-2A nonimmigrant classification.

USCIS announced the limitation-of-stay requirements under the final rule that became effective on January 17, 2009. USCIS granted a one-time accommodation for sheepherders in H-2A status in December 2009 in deference to their industry's poor exemption from the three-year limitation. This exemption did not impact other H-2A categories.

Time spent as an H-2A sheepherder before the final rule became effective has not counted toward the three-year maximum period of stay. Instead, USCIS started the dock on January 17, 2009, for H-2A sheepherders lawfully present in the United States on that date.

All H-2A nonimmigrant workers, including sheepherders, are subject to a three-month departure requirement once they have been in the United States in H-2A status for a maximum three-year period. For example, H-2A sheepherders present in the United States on January 17, 2009, must depart by January 16, 2012, and remain outside the country for at lease three months before being granted H-2A classification again. USCIS NEWS

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SETTLES ALLEGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP STATUS DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION AGAINST GEORGIA RUG MANUFACTURE

Posted by: Norka M. Schell, Esq.
                 www.LawSchell.com

"Employers may not treat authorized workers differently during the hiring process based on their national origin or citizenship status. It is illegal when employers take action against workers for asserting their federally protected rights and that type of behavior will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted." Thomas E. Perez.  

The Justice Department settled with Garland Sales, Inc., a Georgia rug manufacturer, resolving allegations that it engaged in discrimination by imposing unnecessary documentary requirements on individuals of Hispanic origin when establishing their eligibility to work in the United States, and that it retaliated against a worker for protesting his discriminatory treatment. According to the settlement, Garland has agreed to pay $10,000. in back pay and civil penalties, and to undergo training on proper employment eligibility verification practices. www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/December/11-crt-1718.html

SEASON'S GREETING

Dear Clients, Colleagues and Friends,

During the Holiday Season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have make our progress possible. 

And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely,
Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC
www.LawSchell.com

SUPREME COURT: UNANIMOUS DECISION

JUDULANG v. HOLDER, Dec. 12, 2011: the BIA's policy for applying INA 212(c) in deportation case -- the "comparable grounds" rule -- is arbitrary and capricious under Adminstrative Procedure Act. http://ww.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-694.pdf

VISA BULLETIN

January 2012 http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5630.html