In the News

September 24, 2008 - USCIS issues reminder of program flexibilities. Document. Please contact my firm or another attorney prior to engaging in business with USCIS. Very often foreign nationals are not eligible for the benefits elicited. Consulting with an attorney will help such a determination and prevent wasted use of financial resources (filing fees).
September 18, 2008 - USCIS issues a notice to all naturalization applicants regarding the new testing requirements. Document.
September 12, 2008 - USCIS notifies seven companies of potential debarment. Document.
September 12, 2008 - Department of State issues October 2008 Visa Bulletin.
August 13, 2008 - Department of State issues September 2008 Visa Bulletin.
August 1, 2008 - Washington Post reports Travelers' Laptops May Be Detained At Border. In an ever increasing encroachment on all person's civil liberties, the Department of Homeland Security asserts they have the right to search all electronic devices at points of entry. DHS asserts this authority in this document.
July 30, 2008 - USCIS announces the H-2B cap for the second half of Fiscal Year 2008 has been reached. Link.
July 24, 2008 - USCIS announces updated list of vaccinations required for Adjustment of Status. Link.
U.S Conference of Mayors isues a resolution requesting ICE cease and desist workplace raids until after comprehensive immigration reform. Link.
July 14, 2008 - Department of State issues August 2008 Visa Bulletin.
July 13, 2008 - New York Times Editorial titled "The Shame of Postville, Iowa." Link.
July 8, 2008 - An essay by Erik Camayd-Freixas, Ph.D. It is a personal account of the Postville, Iowa raids. Link.
June 30, 2008 - USCIS announces online status inquiries for Freedom of Information Act Requests. Announcement. Link to USCIS.
June 16, 2008 - Supreme Court of the United States issues decision in Dada v. Mukasey.
June 12, 2008 - AILA USCIS Service Center Operations Liaison indicates that efective with the July 2008 Visa Bulletin the EB-3 category will become unavailable until October 1, 2008. Adjustment of status applications will continue to be accepted and receipted through the end of June.
June 11, 2008 - USCIS announces it will resume premium processing of certain I-140 petitions. Link.
June 10, 2008 - Department of State issues July 2008 Visa Bulletin.
June 9, 2008 - Secretary Chertoff announces two-year validity periods for employment authorization documents in certain cases. Link.
June 8, 2008 - Cleveland Plain Dealer article regarding Philip Eichorn. Link.
May 19, 2008 - USCIS issues guidance on naturalization through military service. Link.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently posted the following two cases regarding false claims to citizenship; Kechkar and Theodros. Foreign nationals should be aware of the severe consequences of a false claim to citizenship. Employers should equally be aware and seek legal assistance in ensuring I-9 compliance.
Washington Post Article about detention issues in the U.S.
May 13, 2008 Department of State issues June 2008 Visa Bulletin.
April 21, 2008 - USCIS issues guidance for VAWA self-petitioners who entered without inspection. VAWA self-petitioners are permitted to adjust status without a waiver for the entrance without inspection. Further, all cases filed after January of 1998 that were denied for such a reason may be reopened without a filing fee. Link.
April 14, 2008 - USCIS announces H-1B lottery is complete. Petitions that have been selected will be issued receipt notices. Petitions not selected (or double filed petitions) will be returned to the petitioner. Link.
April 11, 2008 - New York Times Review of "The Visitor" a 2007 movie that addresses many immigration issues.
April 8, 2008 - USCIS announces Fiscal Year 2009 H-1B Cap is reached. Link.
April 2008 Visa Bulletin.
March 13, 2008 - Department of Justice and the Executive Office of Immigration Review issued a statement regarding the effective date of the new Immigration Court Practice Manual. The Practice Manual will be effective July 1, 2008. Click here for the EOIR Announcement.
March 11, 2008 - Department of State issued its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. These are critical for claims of asylum, withholding of removal and withholding of removal pursuant to the Convention Against Torture. Link.
March 10, 2008 - USCIS announces an 18-month extension of TPS for Somalia. Employment Authorization Documents are extended to September 17, 2008. Nationals of Somalia granted TPS should re-register within the 60-day period beginning March 12, 2008. Click here for the USCIS Announcement.
March 5, 2008 - USCIS announces change to biometrics policy for I-131 Travel Documents. Click here for Announcement.
February 26, 2008: Department of Justice published the final rule increasing civil penalties for U.S. employers who knowlingly employing a foreign national not authorized to work. The maximum penalty increased from $2,200 to $3,200. USDOJ Announcement.
February 7, 2008 USCIS Memorandum regarding name check policy. If you have an application for Adjustment of Status, I-601 Waiver or application for temporary resident status that has been pending for more than 180 due to name check delays, contact me. There are procedures being set up to adjudicate these cases in a timely manner.
USCIS Application and Receipting Notice dated February 11, 2008.
Please review a recent quote of Attorney Philip Eichorn in the Washington Post.

On December 11, 2007, USCIS issued a statement regarding the validity of expired I-551. While USCIS indicates such a document is valid, foreign nationals in possession of an expired I-551 should contact my office to discuss their options as soon as possible. In the future, such a document will become invalid.
USCIS reminds business the new I-9 should be used subsequent to December 26, 2007. All employees hired after that date should complete the new version of the Form I-9.

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