Immigration.si

USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program for FY 2010

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:07:48 +0000

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program for the 2010 Fiscal Year. The program will include two competitive funding opportunities and approximately $7 million to support citizenship preparation services for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). These grant activities will focus on promoting the rights and responsibilities of citizenship through citizenship education and immigration integration in communities across the country. USCIS expects to announce an estimated 50 award recipients in September 2010.To apply for either of the grants; organizations must send a mandatory letter of intent to citizenshipgrantprogram@dhs.gov by March 26, 2010. Applications for both grant opportunities are due by April 30, 2010. For other details about the FY 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, please visit www.uscis.gov/grants.

For complete information, please visit: Fiscal Year 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

DOL’s Update on TAA Determinations

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:03:41 +0000

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced yesterday that it has certified approximately 2,700 workers from Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio states as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). “Through the TAA program, DOL will leverage opportunities for displaced workers to acquire the skills needed to secure good jobs in promising areas of their local economies,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. For more information on TAA program and the range of Department of Labor employment and training services, please see http://www.doleta.gov.

For complete information, please click: US DOL certifies approximately 2,700 workers in 9 states as eligible to apply for TAA

USCIS Revises Form I-360 and Form I-485 and Their Filing Locations

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:59:40 +0000

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has revised two forms and its filing locations: Form I-360, the Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The changes to both the forms are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake allows USCIS to provide more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees. For additional information on revised filing locations and instructions for new (Form I-360 and Form I-485) forms, please visit www.uscis.gov or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

For complete information, please click: Revised Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and Revised Filing Locations, and Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and Revised Filing Location

StartUp Visa Act of 2010 Introduced in the Senate

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:56:04 +0000

On February 24, Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lugar (R-IN) have introduced the StartUp Visa Act of 2010. The proposed bill aimed at driving job creation and increase America’s global competitiveness by helping immigrant entrepreneurs secure visas to the United States. Under the SartUp Visa Act of 2010, an immigrant entrepreneur would be allowed to receive a two year visa if they can show that a qualified U.S. investor is willing to dedicate a significant sum - a minimum of $250,000 - to the immigrant’s startup venture.

For complete information, please click: Senators Kerry and Lugar Introduce the StartUp Visa Act of 2010

USCIS Form I-765 Filing Location Changed

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:49:33 +0000

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced revisions to Form I-765, the Application for Employment Authorization, to clarify the filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing the Form I-765. The changes are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Beginning February 24, 2010 applicants must now submit Form I-765 to one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities or the USCIS Vermont Service Center, based on the classification under which they are filing. USCIS additionally notes that Form I-765 may be electronically filed (e-filed) with USCIS when submitting under certain categories. Please check USCIS website at www.uscis.gov for a list of who is eligible to e-file the Form I-765 as well as its instructions.

For complete information, please click: Change of Filing Location for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

New ACRIM System of Records

ansari — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:46:59 +0000

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement-007 (ICE) is modifying an existing system of records for Alien Criminal Response Information Management (ACRIM) System. The new system will update the data gathered and maintained both in paper form and electronically by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out its mission to receive and respond to immigration status inquiries from criminal justice agencies regarding individuals arrested, under investigation, or otherwise encountered by those agencies. Comments on the new system of records can be submitted on or before March 26, 2010 and the new system will be effective on the same day.

For complete information, please visit ICE’s website: www.ice.gov

USCIS Q&A on Information for Adoptive Parents of Paroled Haitians Orphans

ansari — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:56:06 +0000

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have released an updated set of Question and Answers (Q&As)on information for adoptive parents of paroled Haitian Orphans for obtaining Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) status and U.S. citizenship. The Q&As also provide information for United States citizens that have adopted a child or are in the process of adopting a child from Haiti prior to the earthquake, to be paroled into the United States. Additional guidance is provided to adoptive parents regarding the next steps for obtaining LPR status can be found on the USCIS website www.uscis.gov.

For complete information, please click: Questions & Answers: Information for Adoptive Parents of Paroled Haitian Orphans

DOL’s Disclosure Data Files for FY 2009 are Open Now

ansari — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:53:46 +0000

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released disclosure data files for the 2009 Fiscal Year, which are available now for Permanent, H-1B and H-2B programs on the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center website. The Foreign Labor Certification Data Center is the location for the Online Wage Library for prevailing wage determinations, and the disclosure databases for the temporary and permanent programs. Users can access for databases or downloadable files by clicking one of the links mentioned on its FLC Data Center website www.flcdatacenter.com.

For complete information, please click: Disclosure Data Files for FY 2009 are Now Available

U.S-Cuba Meeting on Migration Talks

ansari — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:50:59 +0000

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) and Cuba met in Havana on Friday for migration talks to discuss implementation of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords, marking the second such meeting since a 2009 decision to renew the negotiations. The discussions mainly focused on how to promote safe, orderly, and legal migration between United States and Cuba. In the course of meeting, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Craig Kelly led the U.S. delegation. The United States views these talks as an avenue to achieve practical, positive results that contribute to the full implementation of the Accords and to the safety of citizens of both countries.

For complete information, please click: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks

USCIS Revises Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document

ansari — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:47:57 +0000

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have changed the filing location for Form I-102, the Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival -Departure Document. The changes to the filing instructions and addresses to the new form dated 1/13/10 are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS to Lockbox facilities. USCIS has announced that beginning February 22, 2010, applicants submitting Form I-102 by itself must mail their application to the USCIS Phoenix or Dallas Lockbox facility, based on where they are located. Detailed guidance can be found in the new Form I-102 instructions, which can be accessed through the Form I-102 link to the right. For additional details on revised filing location and instructions of this new Form I-102, please visit www.uscis.gov or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

For complete information, please click: Change of Filing Location for Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Departure Document