September 20, 2011

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released its latest data on EB-5 filings and regional centers (RCs) at its September 15, 2011, "EB-5 Immigrant Investor Quarterly Engagement" stakeholders meeting, showing that regional center (RC) filings and EB-5 approvals continued to increase. ... [read more]

On September 14, 2011, the House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement held a hearing on the EB-5 investor visa program. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) opened the hearing by declaring that the "number one job of Congress is to create jobs." ... [read more]

USCIS is implementing the first phase in a series of proposed enhancements to the EB-5 immigrant investor program. Beginning on September 13, 2011, Form I-924 (Application for Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program) applicants are able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via e-mail. ... [read more]

The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification has released "H-2A Employer Filing Tips." Based on 16 months of processing experience at the Chicago National Processing Center, the filing tips remind employers about common mistakes that may result in processing delays for temporary agricultural workers. Included are tips on pre-filing, forms, and recruitment. ... [read more]

On September 8, 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Office of Policy and Strategy and Office of Public Engagement held a teleconference to discuss the employment authorization of temporary protected status (TPS) beneficiaries and applicants. ... [read more]

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released updated instructions on September 7, 2011, for users of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). ... [read more]

The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai recently announced the resumption of interviews for H and L visas, after a stoppage beginning in March 2011 due to aging infrastructure. In 2010, Indian applicants received 65 percent of all H-1B visas issued worldwide. All interviews will be conducted at the Lincoln House Consulate building, located at 78, Bhulabhai Desai Road, until further notice. ... [read more]

Green Card Stories. The immigration debate is boiling over. Americans are losing the ability to understand and talk to one another about immigration. We must find a way to connect on a human level. Green Card Stories does just that. The book depicts 50 recent immigrants with permanent residence or citizenship in dramatic narratives, accompanied by artistic photos. ... [read more]