Election Effects on Civics Test Answers for Naturalization Applicants After January 5, 2011
The results of the recent election have led to a change in the answers required by Naturalization applications on their Civics test.Given the challenging content of many of the questions on this test, it is important that Naturalization applicants become knowledgeable about the changed answers.For more see: http://www.h1bvisalawyerblog.com/2011/01/nat_applicants_changes_to_natu.html
Help Haiti Act 2010 Offers Green Cards to Hatian Orphans Paroled in the United States
Martin Luther King had a Dream and so too does Obama: The DREAM Act
President Obama continues to advocate for Immigration law reform through The DREAM Act.This Act’s failure to pass in the Senate on December 18, 2010, does not negate the dream of many that the Act will ultimately materialize into an approved bill passed by both houses of Congress. View more here: http://dreamact.info/
Study Reveals that Low-Skilled Immigration Offers Benefits to National Economy
The Migration Policy Institute has discovered that immigrants who are unskilled actually benefit the U.S. economy by keeping goods and service competitively priced.Since the role assumed by this populous in the workforce would presumably not be fulfilled by the local population, the immigration of unskilled labour allows for goods and services to be more affordable by keeping wages lower.See more at:
The Shooting of Gifford Stifles the Immigration Debate
The moderate views of Senator Gifford were expected to offer a balance in the Immigration law debate.Gifford’s political views were held to be more consistent with Obama’s agenda for Immigration law reform.Her unfortunate shooting has created a precarious climate in view of the fate of Immigration in America.Take a look here for more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7072HU20110108
Why an Inclusive Immigration Policy was Advocated by President Obama
The State of the Union Address this past Tuesday February 25th acknowledged the benefits that a more inclusive immigration scheme would offer to the U.S. economy.President Obama eluded to the beneficial impact reform would have on the American workforce, tax base and businesses.To read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-ralls/the-economic-case-for-inc_b_814236.html
Arizona’s Immigration Reform goes a Step Further in Attempting to Deny Birthright Citizenship
Federal Building Exposes itself to Protest by the Children of Detained Immigrants
The raids conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency led to the detention of nearly 30 immigrants. These raids resulted in fear of deportation by some of the detainees’ children.The collective fears were able to voice their disdain for their parents’ detainment in Washington this past week. Click here for more: http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=13909212
Is Immigration a Federal Matter? ...
Religious organizations seem to think so. Utah is expected to consider numerous bills to reform immigration laws in the state.This has prompted concern by the religious communities who fear that the anticipated reform sought by the state will lead to communal division. View more here: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51112359-76/appleby-breaking-catholic-episcopal.html.csp
Immigration Raids in Michigan Lead to Nearly 80 Arrests
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency arrested 77 illegal immigrants within a 4-day investigation period. For the majority of the arrested persons, there were outstanding orders of deportation.Among that same number were persons convicted for manslaughter, assault and weapons violations. See more at: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/01/24/ice-arrests-nearly-immigrants-michigan-day-sweep/
The Posada Trial: Informant Testifies that Information was False
Luis Posada Carilles allegedly lied during his immigration hearing in El Paso about how he got into the U.S. in 2005. At 82 years of age, Posada testified that he was seeking political asylum in America.Posada’s defense attorney claims that the government’s informant is not credible, because he was being paid to investigate Posada.Take a look here for more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/24/AR2011012404100.html
The H-2AVisa Program permits U.S. employers to employ foreign nationals in temporary agricultural employment. Under the H-2B visa status, however, a U.S. employer may offer employment to a foreign national for non-agricultural temporary work. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with few exceptions approves applications submitted under the H-2A and H-2B visa categories only when the countries for which prospective employees are sought, have been authorized to work in the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security.
Under an H-2A visa, farm workers engaging in seasonal work in the agricultural field may be offered employment by a U.S. employer. The H-2B Program as previously noted is not limited to agricultural work, although it must still be temporary in nature. Entertainers, minor league athletes and film workers are among the pool of applicants that may be approved to work in the U.S. under the H-2B visa.
The 53 New Countries Approved by the Department of Homeland Security
As of January 18, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security has authorized the following countries to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa Program: Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Nauru, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Samoa, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.
Factors Used to Determine H-2A and H-2B Visa Program Eligibility
The Secretary of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Secretary of State takes the following four factors into account when determining which countries will be authorized to work under the H-2A and H-2B visa categories (please bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive):
(1) Cooperation regarding the issuance of documentation required for travel with citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of the country to whom a final order of removal may be issued;
(2) The amount of final orders of removal that are unexecuted against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of the applicable country;
(3) The amount of executed orders of removal against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of the applicable country; and
(4) The U.S. interest, which may implicate a host of additional factors not listed herein.
On Thursday, August 5th, the Senate approved a $600 million emergency spending bill aimed at increasing security at the U.S.-Mexican border.The bill will fund about 1,500 new law enforcement agents, new unmanned aerial vehicles, new forward operating bases and communication equipment.The passing of the bill can be attributed to bipartisan efforts to secure the border, which Republicans deem to be the essential first step before focusing efforts on a comprehensive immigration reform.Some immigration reform activists view democratic support for increased border security as merely an appeasement of republican demands and a waste of resources.They believe that the primary focus of lawmakers should be immigration reform.The bill is to be funded by raising the fees for H-1B and L-1 visa applications.On Friday, the Senate passed a measure that will increase the visa application fees to $2,000 for sponsor companies that employ a workforce of less than 50 percent American citizens.
Politicians Take a Stance Against Birthright Citizenship
American born children of illegal immigrants may face loss of citizenship as lawmakers take a stance against birthright citizenship.U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce separately proposed this week that citizenship should be denied to children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.Senator Graham has indicated that a change to the birthright citizenship rule may even require a constitutional amendment.The theory behind this movement against “anchor babies,” the term used by Republicans to refer to children born of illegal immigrants, is the idea that obtaining U.S. citizenship for their unborn children is a major incentive for immigrants crossing the border illegally. The opposition to birthright citizenship has become a major point of discussion for republican candidates in the upcoming election.
U.S. Department of Labor Debarred Asian Journal Publication from H-2A Visa Program
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the Asian Journal Publication is debarred from participation in the H-2A visa program as a result of negative findings during an investigation performed by its Wage and Hour Division.The Asian Journal made misrepresentations in its Labor Condition Application (LCA), which is required to gain approval to hire foreign workers.While its LCA stated that workers were needed to fill positions as accountants, reporters, news writers, journalists, business analysts, public relations specialists and financial analysts, in actuality, most workers were being hired to work in sales as account executives.The investigation also disclosed that Asian Journal failed to pay the required wage rate and to maintain documentation required under the H-1B visa program.
The Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis emphasized, “We cannot allow employers to take advantage of temporary workers who might be reluctant to come forward in such situations, nor will we allow unscrupulous employers to gain an unfair advantage over competitors who play by the rules."In addition to debarment, Asian Journal has agreed to pay a total of $473,218 in back wages to its twenty-two H-2B workers and a $40,000 civil penalty.The debarment will be effective until July 30, 2012.
For information related to the H-1B program and Fair Labor Standards Act, please visit the following DOL website at: http://www.dol.gov/whd/.
USCIS Provides Guidance to H-2A Petitions Related To Impermissible Fees
On July 27, 2010, USCIS held a teleconference with H-2A petitioners to provide an explanation regarding the regulatory prohibition against fees paid by H-2A foreign workers.The regulation permits USCIS to deny or revoke an H-2A petition where the employer, either directly or indirectly, conditions employment on the payment of a fee by the foreign worker.This prohibition broadly pertains to all such monetary fees regardless of whether the payment was made before or after approval of the petition and may even pertain to other forms of compensation.There are limited exceptions to the prohibition. For example, government-mandated passport fees, visa fees or inspection fees, and the actual cost or fair market value, which ever is less, of transportation to the employment site are considered exceptions to the regulatory prohibition (to the extend permissible under applicable law).Further, recruiters or other employment services fees are not deemed prohibited fees.
To determine whether a fee paid by a foreign worker falls within the regulatory prohibition, USCIS will consider the totality of circumstances and focus on whether the foreign worker “has or has had ameaningful opportunity and a truly independent choice to voluntarily decline the payment of fees that do not fall within any exception, and still obtain employment with a particular employer.”
Although the teleconference focused on fees related to H-2A petitions, the rules apply similarly to H-2B and nonagricultural worker classifications.
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Permanent Labor Certification FAQs Round 11
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a new Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) FAQ on August 3, 2010.The FAQ discusses issues related to expedited processing, how to document use of an employee referral program with incentives, submission of unsolicited documentation, and the definition of “business day” according to Office of Foreign Labor Certification.
To view of a copy of the FAQ, please visit the following website: DOL PERM FAQs Round 11.
Change of Filing Locations for Form I-140 and I-526
On August 3rd, USCIS announced a change in filing location for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) effective immediately.Whether being filed alone or together with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485), the location for filing a Form I-140 will depend on the classification for which the petition is being filed.Form I-140s for skilled workers should continue to be submitted to either the Nebraska or Texas Service Centers.Form I-140s accompanied by a Request for Premium Processing Services (Form I-907) should also continue to be filed with the Nebraska or Texas Service Centers.All other Form I-140s should be submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.
Similarly, beginning August 3rd, petitioners filing an Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur (Form I-526) must mail their forms to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.This is the case regardless of the location of the new commercial enterprise to be invested in by the foreign investor.
Improperly filed Form I-140s and I-526s that should have been mailed at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility will be forwarded to the lockbox facility until September 17, 2010.After that date, improperly filed I-140s and I-526s will be returned to the petitioner as improperly filed.
For detailed guidance on filing the new Form I-140 (dated June 14, 2010), please visit the following USCIS website: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.For detailed guidance on filing the new Form I-526 (dated April 21, 2010), please visit the following USCIS website: Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur.
H-1B Program Cap Count Update (July 30, 2010)
The H-1B program allows U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers to perform services in specialty occupations that require technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computerprogrammers.
The FY 2011 cap amount for the regular H-1B visa category is 65,000.However, not all H-1B petitions are subject to this cap.Up to 20,000 H-1B petitions are exempt under the H-1B advanced degree exemption.This exemption applies to petition beneficiaries who have obtained a U.S. master’s degree or higher.According to the July 30, 2010 USCIS cap count for FY 2011, 27,300 regular H-1B petitions and 11,600 advanced degree H-1B petitions have been accepted or are still pending.
The H-2B Temporary Non-agricultural Workers Program permits U.S. employers to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs by bringing foreign workers to the United States.The current statutory cap on the H-2B visa category is 66,000 employments per fiscal year.This cap amount is divided equally between the two halves of the fiscal year; 33,000 visas are reserved for the first half of the fiscal year (October 1 to March 31) and another 33,000 are reserved for the second half (April 1 to September 30).Although there is no carry-over of unused employment spots from one fiscal year to another, unused cap numbers from the first half of the fiscal year can be filled during the second half of the fiscal year.
Not all H-2B petitions are subject to the statutory cap amount.In general, H-2B workers who apply to extend their stay are exempt from the cap.Likewise, the spouse and children of H-2B workers who qualify under the H-4 nonimmigrant classification are exempt from the cap.Further, H-2B workers who apply for the employment as fish roe processors, fish roe technicians and/or fish roe processing supervisors, or perform labor or services in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and/or Guam between November 28, 2009 until December 31, 2014 are exempt from the statutory cap.
Currently, USCIS is accepting H-2B petitions for both FY-2010 and FY-2011.The July 30, 2010 USCIS cap count shows that 28,833 petitions have been approved for the second half of FY-2010 and 1,677 petitions have been approved for the first half of FY-2011.The number of pending petitions for both fiscal years is 811.