WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced January 14 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, has identified 53 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs for the coming year. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the [...] Read more »
Temporary Protected Status – Haiti Questions and Answers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Janet Napolitano, has determined that an 18-month designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti is warranted due to the devastating earthquake and aftershocks which occurred on Jan. 12, 2010. As a result of the earthquake, Haitians who live in the United States are unable to return safely [...] Read more »
Greece Designated as a Member of the Visa Waiver Program
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced March 9, 2010, the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—strengthening passenger information sharing and ensuring strict security standards while streamlining travel for Greek citizens visiting the United States. “Our efforts to guard against terrorism while enhancing legal travel and trade [...] Read more »
New Jersey Residents Born in Puerto Rico Will Have to Obtain New Birth Certificates
Beginning July 1, 2010, New Jersey residents born in Puerto Rico will have to obtain a new certified copy of their birth certificate under a new law passed by the government of Puerto Rico. The new law was based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to [...] Read more »
11 New Countries Designated as Eligible for H-2a and H-2b Nonimmigrant Visa Programs
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano this week designated 11 new countries as eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B nonimmigrant visa programs, which allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary or seasonal jobs for which U.S. workers are not available. The 11 newly designated [...] Read more »
Legal Status for Haitians in the United States
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is now available due to the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Napolitano has stated “this is a disaster of historic proportions and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the [...] Read more »
New Passport Card Is Acceptable For Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is informing the public that the new U.S. Passport Card may be used in the Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) process. Last month, the Departments of State and Homeland Security announced that the new passport card was in full production. The new card provides a less expensive and more portable alternative [...] Read more »
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — The Basics
What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)? The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers to and from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and citizenship to enter or re-enter the United States. [...] Read more »
“Priorities Enforcing Immigration Law”
Testimony of Michael Aytes, Acting Deputy Director Introduction Chairman Price, Ranking Member Rogers, and Members of the Subcommittee, I am Mike Aytes, acting Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). I am grateful for the opportunity to be before Congress to discuss our shared goal of effective employment eligibility verification. I also [...] Read more »
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or depart the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The travel document requirements make up the departments of State and [...] Read more »
