ABClocal.go.com: Some Illinois Mayors Want Immigration Reform

October 23, 2013 (CHICAGO) -- Mayors of some of Illinois' biggest municipalities called on the state's congressional delegation Wednesday to overhaul immigration laws as a way to repair and boost the economy. The 21 leaders- mostly Democratic-leaning mayors and presidents around Chicago and central Illinois - signed a letter which says new laws focusing on all immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, will create jobs and raise revenues. There are an estimated 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. "Illinois is facing tough economic times," the letter says. "We cannot hope to achieve the growth necessary to repair the damage done by the recession without bringing eleven million people out of the shadows and fully integrated into our economy. " The effort was led by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and FWD.us, an advocacy organization started by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Emanuel has vowed to make Chicago the most immigrant friendly city in the world. The state already has some of the nation's most immigrant-friendly laws and a few of its top leaders are involved in reform, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. Still, Illinois has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and is facing other financial issues that could be helped by reform, according to the letter. The mayors said the timing is right in the wake of the end of the partial federal government shutdown. The mayors aren't pushing for a particular bill. Legislation with amped up border security has passed the Senate but it is unclear if any overhaul will come for a vote in the GOP-led House. SOURCE:  Some Illinois mayors want immigration reform

Posted on: 23 October 2013 | 4:49 pm

Idaho Mountain Express: Romanian nationals face deportation - October 23, 2013

 The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boise reported that two Romanian nationals and former Blaine County residents face deportation following sentencing Monday in federal court for obtaining immigration benefits as a result of marriage fraud.     In a newss release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office identified the defendants, who were most recently living in Boise, as Victor Raul Fenesan, 32, and Claudia Luminita Beian, 34. Fenesan was convicted of obtaining a U.S. visa by fraud and Beian was convicted of unlawful procurement of U.S. citizenship.     The couple was living in Blaine County when the crimes occurred.     They were charged with the crimes in September 2012 and pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 12.     The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that both defendants were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge to two years’ probation and fined $2,000. Lodge also ordered that Beian’s U.S. citizenship be revoked. Both are subject to deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.     The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that both Fenesan and Beian admitted in plea agreements to marrying U.S. citizens for the “sole purpose of obtaining immigration benefits.”   SOURCE:Idaho Mountain Express: Romanian nationals face deportation - October 23, 2013

Posted on: 23 October 2013 | 4:46 pm

Woman faces immigration charges for Israel bombing - Laramie Boomerang Online

An Arab-American community activist from the Chicago suburbs was arrested Tuesday on immigration charges for allegedly lying about her conviction for a deadly bombing more than 40 years ago in Israel. Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, 66, spent a decade in an Israeli prison for her involvement in a 1969 attack that involved bombs planted at a crowded Jerusalem supermarket and a British consulate, according to a federal indictment. Only one bomb _ one of two placed at the supermarket _ exploded, killing the two people and wounding several others. Israeli authorities have said the attacks were planned by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Source:Woman faces immigration charges for Israel bombing - Laramie Boomerang Online

Posted on: 23 October 2013 | 4:44 pm

4 Haitian survivors of failed smuggling operation released from US immigration custody

MIAMI - Four Haitians who were among a group of Caribbean nationals found clinging to the hull of their capsized boat off the coast of Miami have been released from federal custody. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had detained the survivors as part of an investigation into the accident that killed four women in the early hours of Oct. 17 seven miles (11 kilometres) east of Miami. The four Haitians from that "failed smuggling venture have been processed and are no longer in ICE custody," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Nestor Yglesias said late Tuesday. Haitian Women of Miami's executive director, Marleine Bastien, said Wednesday that she was elated that the Haitians had been released. She was joined Monday by Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat, whose elderly uncle died in U.S. custody after fleeing violence in Haiti in 2004, and other community leaders in calling for the survivors' release and criticizing U.S. immigration policies that usually permit Cubans who reach U.S. shores to be quickly processed and released to their families, while Haitians and migrants from other countries typically are detained. Source: 4 Haitian survivors of failed smuggling operation released from US immigration custody

Posted on: 23 October 2013 | 4:38 pm

MSNBCcom: McCain stubbornly believes the House can pass immigration reform

 Via @ tv.msnbc.com Senator John McCain isn’t ready to concede that House Republicans won’t pass real immigration reform. But he is watching the clock. “It’s very important that we try to act before the end of this year,” McCain said at a town hall in Mesa, Arizona, on Tuesday. Waiting any longer will run into campaign season.  But given looming battles over funding the government and increasing the debt ceiling, passing immigration legislation before 2014 may be unrealistic. “I remain guardedly optimistic that our friends in the House of Representatives will agree to their legislative process and then we can get to conference,” McCain, who was joined by fellow Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, told the audience. He cited the array of interests backing reform, including major business groups, labor unions, and evangelical organizations, as evidence of its momentum. House leaders are moving forward with a series of bills on border security and visa programs, but they’ve yet to decide how–and whether–to offer legal status and a path to citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America today. McCain is still hoping the House will support a citizenship component in a final deal. “I don’t accept your premise that the House of Representatives will absolutely reject a path to citizenship,” McCain told a reporter at the forum. “I think we’ll know more in two or three months.” The Senate bill would require undocumented immigrants to meet a variety of requirements, including paying a fine and learning English, in order to obtain citizenship. The process would take at least 13 years for most eligible applicants. But among House Republicans, it’s not clear that the caucus supports even limited legal status for undocumented immigrants. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chair of the House Judiciary Committee overseeing immigration legislation, recently suggested that even immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children should not get a new path to citizenship. Continue Reading @ McCain stubbornly believes the House can pass immigration reform Benjy Sarlin, @benjysarlin

Posted on: 29 August 2013 | 4:20 pm

LIRSorg: Infographic Comprehensive Immigration Reform Mythbuster

SOURCE: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Posted on: 28 August 2013 | 10:19 am

ENLACEINTLorg: Private Prison Divestment Campaign

SOURCE: Enlace’s Private Prison Divestment Campaign Enlace, in partnership with community groups and unions across the US, is calling on all public and private institutions to divest their holdings in Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group, America’s largest private prison corporations which have profited from billions in taxpayer money. Continue reading @Enlace’s Private Prison Divestment Campaign

Posted on: 28 August 2013 | 9:53 am

What is Green Card EB-3 Employment Based Immigrant Visa?

Every year the USCIS makes available a certain number of immigrant visas for permanent workers in the United States. There are around 140,000 visas available every fiscal year for permanent workers and their families. Employment in the United States is based on education, experience, and skills. People with the right combination of skills, education and/or work experience may be eligible for immigrant visas under the different categories. The employment-based greencards maybe broadly classified into 5 categories: First preference or EB-1 Second preference or EB-2 Third preference or EB-3 Fourth preference or EB-4 Fifth preference or EB-5 This article takes a look into the details of the EB-3 employment based immigrant visa category. EB-3 Employment Based Green Card The third preference category for employment based green cards is for skilled workers, professionals and other workers. Professionals, like the name suggests, should be members of professions for which they have a minimum of a U.S. baccalaureate or its equivalent foreign degree. Skilled workers are those who have at least 2 years of work experience or training in a job that is neither seasonal nor temporary. Other workers are those who require less than 2 years of work experience or training in a job that is neither seasonal nor temporary. EB-3 Green Card Process A permanent worker has to be sponsored by an employer. The employer who has made a job offer under the EB-3 category has to file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. But before the employer can file the petition he should get a Labor Certification from the US Department of Labor. The certification is to verify that there aren't enough US workers to fill the available positions at the prevalent wages and that by offering this position to a foreigner, the wages and working conditions of the US workers in the same level will not be affected in any way. When the employer files the I-140, he should also provide documentary evidence that he can pay the wages, that were offered to the beneficiary, as of the visa priority date. The when the application is filed and accepted by the USCIS for processing is known as the priority date. There is a back log of applications for employment-based green cards. The applications are processed by priority date. When the beneficiary's priority is being processed, the employer should be in the position to pay the wages he had offered when making the job offer to the beneficiary. Family of EB-3 Green Card Holders Family members of the EB-3 green card holders may be admitted to the United States. The spouse of a skilled worker or a professional will be admitted under the E34 category, whereas the spouse of other workers will be admitted under the EW4 category. Children under the age of 18 of skilled workers and professionals will be admitted under E35 and of other workers under EW5. Spouses may apply for an Employment Authorization Document when in the United States.

Posted on: 19 June 2013 | 8:24 am

Homeland Security Facts and Principles

The duty of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is to protect the United States from national disasters and threats and the goal of the DHS is to keep America safe. The DHS is the national protection agency that secures the borders of the country and that prevents terrorists from attacking the country. This department was created in the year 2003 after the INS was dissolved in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001. The US Department of Homeland Security safeguards the constitutional rights of the Americans and protects the economy of the country. DHS is the executive department of the federal government and its main responsibility is to protect the country. It prevents terrorist attacks, enhances border security, administers immigration laws, secures cyberspace and minimizes the damage from natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. DHS oversees few different government agencies and the department was created through the integration of 22 different federal departments and currently the DHS oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), US Coast Guard, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, US Secret Service (USSS) and the Office of Inspector General. The main goals of the DHS are to prevent terrorist attacks and to prevent them from using nuclear and chemical materials on American soil. Likewise, the department allots funds to modernize ports of entry and it helps to enhance national preparedness in state and local law enforcement. It is also updating the border security technology as the goal of the department is to secure the land, air and sea ports of entry. It also investigates and prevents criminal organizations from getting into the country. DHS has doubled Border Patrol agents and it has deployed National Guard troops in order to help the law enforcement agencies. Moreover, the department is joining forces with Mexico to secure the border. DHS implements immigration laws and the USCIS, a federal agency managed by the DHS, oversees all immigration processes. Likewise, the responsibility of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is to identify and remove undocumented immigrants. It is also working hard to combat human trafficking and is conducting programs to assist the victims. The National Cyber Security Division of the DHS counters cyber threats and implements cyber-risk programs. People can obtain information about cyber crimes from the National Cyberspace Response System and this system also assesses cyber threats through its US-Cert Operations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Homeland Security, makes recommendations to the government and provides disaster assistance to affected communities. However, DHS that is keeping the country safe, is looking forward to become a smarter agency and protect the country more effectively.

Posted on: 15 April 2013 | 9:00 am

What You Should Know When Renewing A Green Card?

Green Card is an identity document issued by the government of the United States to the permanent residents of the country. Green Card holders can enjoy various rights and they also have few responsibilities. With this Green Card, you can stay anywhere in America, as long as you wish and this permanent resident status will never expire. But this does not apply to Green Cards and the Green Cards will expire and these cards are good only for a decade and the Green Card holders will have to apply for Green Card renewal prior to the expiration of their cards. Hence, it is mandatory to understand the renewal process. An expired Green Card will create problems and it might also endanger your permanent resident status. You may not be able to accept employment in the country if you do not have a valid document to prove that you are a permanent resident and you may not be able to obtain benefits that are meant for permanent residents. US employers may not hire you, if your permanent resident Card is invalid. To avoid such difficulties, you need to immediately file an application for Green Card renewal, if you find that your Green Card is about to expire or if it has already expired. The USCIS forms that must be filed to get your Green Card renewed, is Form I-90. All the fields of this form must be completed and the required supporting documents along with the form must be mailed to the right service center. The form filing process may not be difficult as you can file Form I-90 electronically and you can just follow the customized form instructions and complete the form. Moreover, you will immediately receive a confirmation notice after you e-file your Green Card renewal application. Copies of supporting documents such as your driver's license, both the sides of your Green Card, passport and other relevant documents must be mailed to the location specified in the confirmation notice that you receive after filing your petition, online. You may pay the form filing fee through a check or a money order, if you file the paper form and through your debit or credit if you e-file your Green Card renewal application. Currently, the form filing fee is $450 and this includes the biometrics fee. And remember that you will be sent a biometrics appointment notice after you file your petition and without fail you will have to make it to the location, specified in the appointment notice. USCIS might require applicants who have filed applications for Green Card renewal to appear for in person interviews and this may not be applicable to all the applicants. USCIS will issue a new Green Card that is valid for a ten year period, after conducting background checks or after the interview, if you are still eligible for lawful status in the United States.

Posted on: 10 April 2013 | 4:49 am

The Difference between the H1B Sponsorship Job and the U.S. General Jobs

A foreigners  who are not a citizen of America or not an LPR residents  need a work visa like any other immigrants in quest of relocating, broaden their horizons  and working in the United States of America, or wish to change the current visa status to a H1B visa transfer, it is a must and required to acquire a job offer H1B visa sponsorship, you will need to meet some requirements to qualify and the work should be with a corporation or a Company who hires migrant workers, and who are willing to sponsor the highly motivated and skilled candidates employment by applying and filing a petition for an H1B work visa with USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). As a result, your career hunting is very different from the usual because you must meet the US job standard, criterion and requirements for the H1B visa program, the jobs, employment in the United States should be currently available for H1B sponsorship. Under the US immigration law: the US Companies must meet the specific H1B sponsor requirements, abide to H1B policy and regulations,  understand the processes and the responsibilities required of the employers and most importantly the US Companies who have a job offer must be willing to sponsor/ file a nonimmigrant petition and apply for an H1B visa. If you want an H1B visa, visa sponsorship program varies depends on the kind of career you want to have i.e. temporary work, seasonal work and depend on your skills and the level of your expertise and the experiences you have. Foreign national’s job seeker who wishes to apply on sponsorship program can access a list of organization and Companies that sponsors a visa by applying online. Currently there are a vast growing numbers of Jobs & Employment based companies and web sites posted online who are offering for a sponsorships visa but you should be wary of them.  The best way to obtain that sponsorship is to research the Companies who will be needing your skills and  create a blow up Curriculum Vitae that highlights your unusual expertise and exotic skills that is highly needed in America and above all, market yourself – convince then and makes them wants to sponsor you.

Posted on: 21 January 2013 | 10:39 am

Employment-Based Visa Immigration with no Labor Certification

The other common ways getting a lawful resident status in the U.S. is via employment.  There are several choices in employment-based immigrant visa classification and lots of sub classification contained by those choices. One is eligible by deciding correctly which categories to take to triumphantly transfer to the United States. Fundamentally, this type is called “EB-1”. The best characteristic of EB-1 visa is that usually the job offer from an employer is not required. This feature is very significant since the optimistic immigrant will not need the support of an employer. Without an employer the aspirant can apply a self-petition with the USCIS also known as United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.  The hopeful migrant does not need to obtain labor documentation from the United States Department of Labor as a prerequisite to legal permanent residency. The second most excellent attribute part of EB-1 visa is the scarcity of visa backlogs. This connotes that the immigrant, the unmarried children below 21 years old and the US citizen spouse can depend on to transferring soon to the United States after the acknowledgment of EB-1 petition. For the non-citizen who has an exceptional skill the first choice is EB-1 visa. “Remarkable skills” is portrayed as a “stage of expertise indicating that the person is one of those marginal’s who have ascended to summit of the playing field of achievement”.  EB-1 visa aim is to give the most excellent and the smart immigrant with a visa as a superior member of staff whose ability, creativity and skills are useful to the United States of America. An immigrant with an extra-ordinary skill entry in the United States has to “extensively benefit potentially for the United States”. The hopeful immigrant who has an aspiration to submit an application should meet the criteria as a priority worker, must be an alien with a bizarre skills in the playing fields of arts, of business or athletics (“EB-1A”), sciences, an excellent professor or research (“EB-1B”), education,  a multinational executive or a manager who will be employed in the United States for the same company whom he/she was working with in his/her native land for one out of three years in an administrative competency (“EB-1C”). For qualification the three categories of EB-1 visa priority personnel have distinctive characteristics and conditions.

Posted on: 23 November 2012 | 12:25 pm

Human Rights Violations in US Immigration Reforms Enforcement

Hispanics, immigrants and native Americans are said to face a pattern of human rights violations under United States Immigration policies. The communities living in the border are greatly affected by the immigration control measures which results in human rights violation. The execution of immigration enforcement criterion along the border has created an impact in the rights of Indigenous population as their lands lie on both regions of the US-Mexico border. Immigration policies has pushed the undocumented immigrants into using dangerous routes through the US desert which results in the death of numerous people. Racial profiling has been increasing due to the improper supervision of the state and local law enforcement. Some Immigrants are denied their basic human rights like the right to education because of the increasing region laws and local policies. Local communities and some minority populace are at a risk of injustice. Some immigrants face a range of obstructions of justice, most especially once they are victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. A report states that the federal and state laws had failed to respect immigrants' right to life. American citizens of Hispanic descent and Native Americans are subject to prejudiced identification by federal, state and local law enforcement officials. Through that they are being preyed for police stops and investigations. Each citizen and every immigrant has human rights, despite of their lawful resident status. The report from Amnesty International says that US has been failing to ensure the basic human rights under the international law. Federal and state authorities have controversial ideas about the report's complaints of racial profiling. The officials from the Department of Homeland Security say that the report is based on obsolete information. The statement doesn’t have rational approvals for improvisation. It only suggests the deferral of the nationwide immigration compulsory programs. Even Texas does not have immigration laws, the DOS officers arrest undocumented immigrants in spite of their nationality. The federal state communities say that they prevent racial profiling by having the fingerprints of all the arrested people and are being checked against FBI criminal records. Customs and Border Protection officials say that is has been working with the tribes to create identification forms. The federal agency has institute a policy which will protect victims of domestic violent behavior both physically and emotionally and to make ensure that the criminals are prosecuted . As per the statement of Amnesty International, most of the victims do not file law enforcer reports because they believe that the police will not lend a hand to them. The human rights group has also commented on the US border policy, for forcing the undocumented immigrants to use dangerous routes to enter the country. Amnesty International says that many have lost their lives along the border and the children are suffering due to the local policies as they face difficulties in accessing their right to education.

Posted on: 31 October 2012 | 11:42 am

What will the American Airport Immigration Officer Expect To See After Your Absence from the U.S. for 6-12 Months ?

Lawful permanent residents of the United States may travel abroad freely for less than a year. But traveling abroad might be difficult if you hold an expired Green Card. Even if your Green Card is valid you will be permitted to enter into the country only after inspection and the US immigration officers will question you in order to make sure that you had not left the country with an intention of giving up your lawful status in the United States. US Green Cards are issued to foreign nationals who intend to make the country their permanent home and if such Green Card holders plan to reside permanently in a foreign country, their Green Cards may be revoked and they may not be allowed to re-enter the country. You may be at the risk of losing your Green Card if you travel outside the country frequently. US immigration officers at the US airport will also ask you about the purpose of your frequent travel. However, you may not be allowed to re-enter the country with your valid Green Card, if you had lived in a foreign country for a year or more. And you will have to obtain a re-entry permit to get back to the country, prior to your departure, if you plan to remain abroad for more than 365 days. But if you had to remain abroad for long time due to a genuine reason, you may explain your situation to the US immigration officer and provide evidence to prove that you had not planned to remain outside the country but you had to remain due to a valid reason. If your family member had fallen sick all of a sudden and if you had to stay in the foreign country due to that reason for a long period of time, you may submit copies of medical records to show that you had to remain with the family member who was in need of your help. However, your continuous absence from the country disrupts your continuous residence and the US immigration officers may doubt that you have plans to live in a foreign country and abandon your permanent residence status in America. In order to prove that you had to remain abroad for a genuine reason, you may be required to provide documentary evidence to show that you have social and family ties in the United States. Hence, it is wise to always carry with you certain documents that will help you to prove that you intend to reside in the United States permanently. You may provide details about your property in America, the vehicle that you own in the United States, your American bank accounts and your US driver's license, to demonstrate that you need to return to the country. Similarly, the tax returns that you had filed and your employment in the United States, may also help you to establish that you had do not have an idea to relinquish your permanent resident status in America. Apart from that, you may present copies of your family member's medical reports to show that you had to stay with that relative, as he needed your help. A US immigration officer at the US airport may expect the above mentioned documents and evidence to grant you permission to re-enter the country.

Posted on: 10 October 2012 | 12:46 pm

Who Are The Young People Eligible for the President’s “Deferred Action” Initiative

According to the deferred action policy, young undocumented immigrants who got into the United States, as children are eligible to receive deferred action. Their deportation will be postponed for two years for which they are granted deferred action. As much as 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in the country may become eligible to request deferred action as they meet the eligibility requirements for deferred action. Around half the number of eligible undocumented immigrants live in Texas and California. But other American states also have significant number of undocumented immigrants from every part of the world. Most of the undocumented immigrants in the United States are from Mexico. Apart from Mexicans, there are many undocumented immigrants who are from Asia, South America, Europe and various other parts of the world. Young people who are eligible for the deferred action process, are the undocumented immigrants who are below age 31 and above 15 and they must have entered the country when they were below age 15. Such undocumented immigrants to become eligible for the deferred action process should have resided within the United States, continuously for 5 years. Their physical presence in the country as of June 15, 2012 and at the time of submitting their requests, is mandatory. Moreover, the requesters must not have any legal immigration status in the country. If they had entered lawfully, then they must prove that their lawful status expired on or before 15th June, 2012. The application filed by an undocumented immigrant will be considered for deferred action, if he has been issued a final deportation order or if he was never placed in removal proceedings. Young undocumented immigrants who are currently in school or those who hold a high school completion certificate alone are eligible to request deferred action. Otherwise, the applicant must be an honorably discharged veteran from the US Coast Guard or Armed Forces, to request deferred action. In order to prove all the above, you must mail Form I-821D, along with the documents that will establish your eligibility. Undocumented immigrants who were convicted of punishable offenses may not be eligible to request deferred action. Moreover the undocumented immigrants who pass the background checks will only be eligible to receive deferred action. However, children below age 15 may not be eligible to request deferred action, but they may become eligible in future, if the deferred action process is in effect. Though this process is not a permanent solution, it will help a lot of undocumented immigrants, who do not want to be removed from the country. Undocumented immigrants who are considered to be of low-priority for the enforcement of the US immigration laws will be benefited through this process. They may file Form I-821D, to request deferred action by providing the required supporting documentation to prove that they are eligible to receive deferred action. These undocumented immigrants who receive deferred action will receive federal work permits and driver's licenses. Hence, the President's deferred action/Acción diferida initiative will grant a temporary relief from deportation to the law-abiding young undocumented immigrants.

Posted on: 14 September 2012 | 4:45 pm

What Deferred Action Means for Our Nation's Undocumented Young people?

Even before the deferred action policy was implemented, thousands of undocumented immigrants were trying to gather information about the process. They are happy about the implementation of the process and the forms that are made available by the USCIS. Form I-821D, is the form that must be filed by an applicant who is eligible to receive deferred action. This process has provided hope and the undocumented immigrants who are in deportation proceedings are waiting to see if they could get a chance to stay back in America. Deferred action process is considered to be important, because this process will defer the deportation of eligible immigrants and will permit them to work and stay in the United States, for two more years and it may be renewed at the end of the two-year period. Undocumented immigrants who seek lawful status in the United States are happy about the process and are willing to undergo all the paper work and pay the required fees. This shows that they are so keen in remaining in the country. Though this process does not grant lawful status to the undocumented immigrants, it grants them employment authorization so that they may work in the United States legally, if they are granted deferred action. Students who are in deportation proceedings or with a final removal order, if granted deferred action need not leave the United States and they may continue their studies, in the United States. Thousands of dreamers are awaiting to get help in order to apply for deferred action. USCIS has already instructed the eligible applicants to mail their applications to one of the four USCIS offices around the country. USCIS has said that more personnel may be hired to process the I-821D applications. Many undocumented immigrants who had entered the United States as children are now in schools or high schools and they all are rushing to file applications to request deferred action. Though this is only a temporary relief, eligible undocumented immigrants consider this to be a great relief. Many of them who were smuggled to the United States at a very young age, are now in schools and some are graduated and employed. Some of them say that the deferred action process is the only chance for them to remain in the United States. Similarly they are also worried whether the details that they provide will put their families at the risk of deportation. Most of the eligible undocumented immigrants are collecting papers that are necessary to prove their eligibility to receive deferred action. Though they are in the United States as undocumented immigrants, they have their roots in the United States and they had been residing in the United States for a long time and they do not want to leave the country. They also say that they do not know about their native countries. Hence, this deferred action process means a lot to them, as they feel that this is a chance given to them by the country to remain there, at least for a two-year period. As this process will grant them work authorization along with deferred action, almost all the eligible undocumented immigrants are in the process of obtaining and filing Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and Form I-765WS, Form I-765 Worksheet.

Posted on: 21 August 2012 | 8:19 am

How To Petition The Immigrating Spouse of U.S. Citizen?

If you are the spouse of a US citizen, you may immigrate to the United States through family based immigration. To immigrate to the United States, you must be sponsored by your US citizen spouse. Your spouse who is a US citizen, must file the USCIS Form I-30, Petition for Alien Relative, in order to sponsor an immigrant visa with which you may enter the United States. In order to be eligible for a marriage visa, you must prove that you are a legally wedded husband or a wife of the US Citizen. With a marriage visa, the foreign spouse of a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident may immigrate to the United States. The spouse of a US citizen is considered to be an immediate relative and there is no annual limit in the numbers visas issued to immediate relatives of US citizens. If the foreign spouse of the US citizen is already in the United States in some other non-immigrant category, the foreign spouse may adjust status to permanent resident status by filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status to Permanent resident, at the same time while the US citizen spouse files Form I-130, Petition for Alien relative. Through adjustment of status, the foreign spouse who is in the United States as a non-immigrant, may become a permanent resident. If the US citizen wishes to sponsor an immigrant visa for a spouse who is abroad, the US citizen may first file Form I-130, for the foreign spouse. After approval of the petition, USCIS will work with the US Consulate or Embassy, in the country where the foreign spouse lives. After the process is complete and after filling the necessary forms, the foreign spouse must apply for an immigrant visa at the US Embassy or Consulate, in the country where she lives. On obtaining an immigrant visa, the foreign spouse may enter the United States with that visa and she may become a permanent resident. Filing Form I-130 As a US citizen, while you file Form I-130, you must submit certain other documents as supporting evidence. You must submit copies of documents such as your US passport in order to prove that you are a US citizen. To establish your relationship with your foreign spouse and to prove that your marriage is genuine, you must submit copies of your marriage certificate. You may be required to provide copies of certain other documents to establish that your marital status is authentic. You must also make all efforts to prove that you had not entered into the marriage just for immigration purposes. Fill out the form completely, without missing or concealing any important information. As the form consists of three parts make sure that you mention the relationship between you and the beneficiary in the Section A, details about yourself such as your name, address and date of birth in Section B and the details about the beneficiary in Section C. You must also complete and sign Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to demonstrate that you will accept the legal responsibility to financially support your spouse for whom you sponsor an immigrant visa to immigrate to the United States. An affidavit of support is required to show that the foreign spouse who is seeking a marriage visa to immigrate to the United States has enough financial support and that the spouse may not become a public charge.

Posted on: 6 August 2012 | 9:06 am

Useful Tips on How to Get Immigrant Visas

A foreign national must get an immigrant visa to immigrate to the United States and to live there permanently. There are different types of immigrant visas that are available for the people who wish to immigrate to the United states. It is not a very easy task to immigrate to America and it involves filing various forms and various steps are involved in the immigrant visa process. Generally, to immigrate to the United States and to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign national must be sponsored by a US citizen relative, US Green Card holder or by a potential employer. Once you decide to immigrate to the United States, the first step that you must take is to file an immigrant visa application with the USCIS. An appropriate form depending on your category must be filed. If the foreign national is sponsored by a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident sponsor who is residing in the United States, the person who is sponsoring must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS Chicago or the Phoenix Lockbox facility. If a US employer is offering a job to a foreign national, the potential employer must file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. The immigrant visa petition filed by the US citizen family member or the employer must be approved by USCIS. After the immigrant visa petition is approved by USCIS, the preliminary processing of the visa with the Department of State, National Visa Center, will begin. It is the duty of the National Visa Center(NVC) to provide instructions to the sponsors and visa applicants. The NVC will review the required Affidavit of Support forms submitted by the sponsors. It will receive the required fees, application forms and other supporting documents that are required. Certain immigrant visa categories are assigned a numerical limit. For such categories, the NVC will contact the applicant after the priority date becomes current. After verification of the required documents, the NVC will schedule an interview with US Embassies or Consulates. The immigrant visa case files of the applicants will be sent by the NVC, to the US Embassy or the Consulate, where the interview is scheduled. After you get an interview appointment from the NVC, you must get prepared for the immigrant visa interview. You must prepare for the medical exam and make sure that you possess all the required original documents to be submitted at the time of the interview. Diversity Visa Program is another way through which a foreign national may obtain an immigrant visa to immigrate to the United States. This program provides visas to applicants drawn from countries with low immigration rates to America. The other immigrant types require a US sponsor, but the Diversity Visa (DV) program does not require a US sponsor. It also does not require a visa petition.

Posted on: 17 July 2012 | 9:26 pm

How To Obtain A Family Based Green Card?

It is the general policy of the USCIS to design the immigration processes in such a way so that it will be easy for any category of immigrants to realize their dream. The common dream of these immigrant classes is that of living and working in the US, for which they should first get a green card. As mentioned earlier, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has laid out so many pathways for an immigrant to become a green card holder. All that an applicant needs to do is ensure that he/she is eligible for it and then choose the most appropriate route for getting it. Pathways to getting a green card The most favored ways for getting a green card are as listed below Family based green card Green card through a job Green card through Asylee or Refugee status Apart from these, there are other ways of getting a green card like, by being victims of human trafficking; being an US Armed Forces member, through the DV lottery program etc. The most sought after and the easiest way of becoming a legal permanent resident of the US is through the family route only. Getting a family based green card Before getting to know about this specific process, you need to know the general eligibility criteria required to file in a green card application – You should be eligible for any one of the immigrant categories that is drafted in the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) and be admissible to the US. You must have your immigrant petition filed in by a suitable sponsor and got it approved. You must also be in possession of a valid immigrant visa, which is immediately available, as a result of the approved immigrant petition. Once these are taken care of, you can then move on to the specific instructions of getting a family based green card. When you have your immediate family members as US citizens, then you are very lucky. This is because you need not wait in-line for a visa to become available, which is the case for the general category of applicants Also there is no limit prescribed by the USCIS for visas in this category. Ensure that you fall under any of the three categories of relatives to qualify as immediate relatives. You are a parent of a US citizen( In this case, your US Citizen child should be at least 21 years of age) You are the spouse of a US Citizen You are the child (unmarried) of a US citizen who is under the age of 21. Any other form of relationship with the US citizen will not entitle you with the privilege of not waiting in line for an immigrant visa. However, they will be considered to issue a family based green card with some amount of waiting time for a visa. I preference category          –  Unmarried, adult sons/daughters of US citizens (Age -21yrs or                                                    older) II preference category (A)   –  Unmarried children (Age- below 21 yrs) and spouses of the                                                     Permanent residents II preference category (B)   –  Unmarried sons/ daughters of Permanent Residents (age- 21 yrs                                                     or older) III Preference category        -   Married sons/daughters of US citizens, spouses with their                                                      minor children IV preference Category          - Siblings of US citizens, spouses with their minor children The US citizen or permanent resident should file in USCIS Forms I-130 which is the procedure to petition an alien relative into the US. This should be filed in with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to establish the qualifying relationship of the Citizen or the permanent resident with the relative. Once this is approved, the USCIS will intimate the US Embassy in the country in which the relative resides. From here on, it is the applicant who has to follow up, in order to get a family based green card. He/she should then file in Form I-485 to adjust to the status of a permanent resident, based on the instructions of that particular embassy.

Posted on: 2 May 2012 | 11:42 am

When To E-file My Green Card Renewal?

Green card is the ticket to getting a comfortable job and to reside peacefully in the US. It gives a sense of secure feeling to the individuals as they have the most important legal rights granted to them. The easiest way of getting a green card is by marrying a US citizen, as the citizens have the right to sponsor their immediate relatives. Getting a green card is very important and at the same time, keeping it fully updated and valid is also important. This is where the green card renewal comes to play. Why Green Card Renewal? USCIS has instructed all the Green card holders to have their cards with them all the time, irrespective of where they travel or what they do. Recent laws have authorized the police to pull up anyone that they feel to be suspicious and check their legal status. In these circumstances, having a green card (fully valid one) will be highly useful. Even though the Green cards are issued for the purpose of granting permanent residency till the entire lifetime of the individual, they come with a10 year validity period only. Green card holders should go in for a green card renewal when the card is about to expire or has already expired. Before E-filing This is one of the recent facilities introduced by the USCIS to facilitate easy submission of the green card renewal applications. Before starting this process, the applicant should ensure that he/she is eligible for filing in I-90 (Application for Green card renewal). Following circumstances will not allow a person to go in for e-filing Removing the conditions on the card cannot be done Applying for a fee waiverResiding outside the US , Guam, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin IslandsThe card was never received or received with an incorrect data due to an USCIS administrative errorRenewing within 30 days of becoming a 14 year old when the existing card has expired or not expired. Having a Pc with a compatible browser and a secure, fast internet connection is the next item on the list. Once the applicant logs in to the E-filing page of the USCIS website, he/she must follow the instructions that are specific for each and every form that are listed on the page. In order to login and e-file a form, the applicant must first create a valid user account, which is very easy and can be done within a few minutes. USCIS has taken the pains to list out the most common mistakes that applicants do while filing in their applications, which leads to rejection or denial. It is highly important that the applicants go through this before e-filing. E-filing process Once the applicant has completed the application and submitted it, he/she should ensure that it has been successfully done. The following are indications that the application process has been successful Receiving a receipt number on the web confirmation pageReceiving a Form I-797 (Notice of Action) with the confirmation receipt number through mail, that too within 10 days of e-filing Before closing the e-filing page, applicants should note down the receipt number on the confirmation page. Only then 'finish' has to be given which will generate a PDF copy of the green card renewal application. Applicants are also advised to save a soft copy of their completed application and confirmation receipt notice on the computer or USB. It is essential that the applicants' fingerprints and photographs meet the USCIS stipulations as only then they will be processed further. Source: immigrationdirect.multiply.com

Posted on: 16 January 2012 | 12:30 pm

Apply Green Card

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Posted on: 27 December 2011 | 3:49 am

Instructions for Completing Form I-90

Why Should a Lawful Permanent Resident File Form I-90? Green card holders can apply for a Green Card renewal by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, so as to keep their Green Card updated. Form I-90 must also be filed with the USCIS in order to request for a replacement of a Green Card. Things to be noted while completing Form I-90 Under the section for entering the applicant’s name, the name entered should match exactly with the name listed on the Green Card, unless otherwise the Green Card contains an error or if there has been a formal name change of the applicant. In case of the applicant not receiving the green card, then it should match exactly with what is listed on the alternative identity proof that is submitted along with Form I-90. A# refers to the applicant’s Alien Registration number that is printed on his/her Green card. Information in response to the following questions should be in the mentioned format. City of Residence where the applicant applied for an Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status refers to the city where the applicant was residing when he/she filed an Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status petition. Consulate where the Immigrant Visa was issued or the USCIS office where status was adjusted refers to the U.S. consulate where the applicant’s Immigrant Visa was issued or the USCIS Service Center which approved the applicant’s Adjustment of Status petition. To the question on the Date of Admission as an Immigrant or Adjustment of Status, the date on which the applicant entered the U.S. on an Immigrant Visa or the date on which the applicant’s Adjustment of Status application was approved by the USCIS To the question on the Destination in U.S. at time of admission, the applicant should enter the city and state where he/she was planning to go after arriving in the U.S. In case the applicant falls under the Adjustment of Status criteria, then he/she must write Not Applicable. To the question on Port of entry where admitted to U.S, the applicant should indicate the city and state through which the applicant gained entry into the U.S. This information is stamped on the passport of the applicant. Applicants falling under the Adjustment of Status criteria should indicate that they are Not Applicable. To the question, “Are you in removal/deportation or rescission proceedings?” the applicant should check the appropriate box and, if applicable, provide a detailed explanation on a separate sheet of paper. A Permanent Resident who is in the process of removal proceedings has a right to get a proof of a permanent resident until the final order of removal is issued. Temporary proof can be issued to cover the removal proceedings of the applicant. To the question, “Since you were granted permanent residence, have you ever filed Form I-407?”, the applicant should check the appropriate box and submit a detailed explanation on a separate sheet of paper. Generally, Form I-90 will be rejected if the applicant’s answer is “Yes”, unless otherwise there is proof that they did not abandon their status of a permanent resident. Under such circumstances, the applicant should seek the assistance of an immigration attorney. Finally, the applicant must sign and date the Form I-90.Source:Instructions for Completing Form I-90

Posted on: 2 November 2011 | 11:45 am

Immigration Scams - Immigration Direct

CONSUMER ALERT - FALSE CLAIMS OF USCIS ACCREDITATION Evaluating immigration services is as important as when evaluating any purchase of business-related services. It is always in your best interest to understand the terms and conditions you will be agreeing to in relation to the services you will be receiving. There are immigration companies out there that will not provide the services as they describe. These companies are immigration scams. The information provided here is intended to help you: (i) make the right choice when you require help with your immigration application or petition; (ii) locate and identify educational resources that are available; and (iii) avoid falling victim to an immigration scam. Identifying immigration-related services that are actually immigration scams can be done in many ways. For example, blogs may be a good way to gain knowledge on immigration service companies; however, blogs are often used as a competitive tool to drive business away from other companies. Immigration companies, or any company for that matter, may pay individuals to post false information (mostly anonymous) about other immigration service companies. The best suggestion is to always read the terms and conditions available on the site before doing business or purchasing any type of service. Legitimate companies generally will post their terms and conditions and have contact information, including a legitimate telephone number and an email address to reach their customer service department.read more here at immigration direct scam OTHER RELATED ARTICLES ON IMMIGRATION SCAM Don’t Be Scammed by Green Card Lottery Vultures Immigration Scam - Green Card Lottery Email Robber in charge of immigration scam arrested | immigration-new Nebraska Trial Accuses Couple of Immigration Scam | immigration ... US State Department warns of green card lottery scams ... Baltimore Business Shut Down After Immigration Scam | immigration ... San Antonio immigrant scam leads to arrest | immigration-news Three Arrested in Virginia For Immigration Fraud Scam | immigration ... Immigration Scam – Green Card Lottery Email Immigration Scam ... RELATED IMMIGRATION SCAM VIDEO Source: Tri Valley University Immigration Scam

Posted on: 25 August 2011 | 3:10 pm

Hispanic Group Critiques Obama on Immigration Reform

Despite improving some services and moving to block strict state laws, the administration of President Barack Obama has not delivered on immigration reform promises, according to a recent National Hispanic Leadership Agenda progress report. “In no other area of public policy have the Obama Administration and Congress over-promised and under-delivered more than immigration,” the report states. In its report, NHLA praises the U.S. Department of Justice for securing an injunction against Arizona’s strict omnibus immigration law, SB 1070, which NHLA says would have led to racial profiling in the state. The organization also recognizes the administration for cracking down on vigilante anti-immigrant crime and commends U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for streamlining naturalization processes. These positive steps have been overshadowed, NHLA says, by legislative inaction or stalemates at the federal level. No action has been taken on Congressional bills to reunite immigrant families, and after passage in the House of Representatives, the Senate blocked passage of the Dream Act. In addition to these legislative disappointments, NHLA says the Obama Administration has increased deportations of Hispanic immigrants. The U.S. Supreme Court might soon provide direction regarding immigration reform, as the state of Arizona recently petitioned the top court to overturn the injunction blocking SB 1070. Source:Hispanic Group Critiques Obama on Immigration Reform

Posted on: 16 August 2011 | 11:19 am

Immigrants with Entrepreneurial Spirits Could Gain Green Cards

Officials at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) recently announced a policy shift that would allow foreigners who dream of owning a business in the states an easier path to obtaining a green card, the New York Daily News reports. "What we hope is that we will receive more applications and petitions," explained Alejandro Mayorkas, director of CIS. The laws for legal residency and citizenship will remain the same for now, but the initiative by CIS is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs find waivers and possible loopholes to expedite their bids for green cards. Staff members at CIS will also be trained on how the visa rules apply to owners of start-up businesses. The agency is especially interested in foreigners who want to start businesses in the high-tech industry. Applicants must show how their work will benefit America in order to have their information fast tracked. However, the normal rules still apply regarding quotas that allot a certain number of work visas to be given to highly skilled foreign workers from a particular country. According to the University of Pennsylvania, one in four American technology and engineering companies founded between 1995 and 2005 had at least one founder that was foreign-born. Source:Immigrants with Entrepreneurial Spirits Could Gain Green Cards

Posted on: 10 August 2011 | 12:52 pm