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 »
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Eligibility
Do citizens and nationals of the U. S. need to prove, to their employers, they are eligible to work? Yes. While citizens and nationals of the U.S. are automatically eligible for employment, they too must present proof of employment eligibility and identity and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9). Citizens of the U.S. [...] Read more »
Immigration Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their Families
Background U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers immigration services and resources specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families who are stationed in the United States and abroad. USCIS established a military assistance team to ensure that the military community receives quick and secure access to accurate information. Below is a [...] Read more »
How Do I Use the Premium Processing Service?
What is it? Premium Processing Service provides faster processing of certain employment-based petitions and applications. Specifically, USCIS provides 15 calendar day processing to those who choose to use this service or USCIS will refund the Premium Processing fee and the relating case will continue to receive faster processing. The processing period that is used to [...] Read more »
USCIS to Welcome 6,000 New Citizens During Fourth of July Celebrations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will commemorate America’s 233rd birthday by naturalizing more than 6,000 citizenship candidates in approximately 50 special ceremonies held across the United States and overseas. Five of these ceremonies are for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. “There is no more important role we have as an agency than to [...] Read more »
How Do I Appeal the Denial of My Petition or Application?
Background When USCIS denies or revokes an immigration petition, in most cases you may appeal the decision to higher authority for review. In immigration proceedings, the appellate review authority is divided between two separate Government agencies: the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) within USCIS, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), under the jurisdiction of the [...] Read more »
Admission into United States — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Inspection Process? A: All persons arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers. CBP Officers will conduct the Immigration, Customs and Agriculture components of the Inspections process. If a traveler has health concerns, he/she will be referred to a [...] Read more »
USCIS Announces New Requirements for Hiring H-1B Foreign Workers
Changes Apply to Companies that Receive TARP Funding U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced additional requirements for employers, who receive funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program or under section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act (covered funding), before they may hire a foreign national to work in the H-1B specialty occupation category. The [...] Read more »
USCIS Announces $1.2 Million Citizenship Grant Program
Up to 12 Grants Offered to Community-Based Organizations Serving Immigrant Population U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that a competitive grant program is being offered through Grants.gov for a $1.2 million grant program to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents. USCIS, through the competitive grant program, will provide funding to community-based organizations [...] Read more »
Intercountry Adoption — Adoption Alert, Kyrgyzstan
The U.S. Department of State does not recommend that U.S. citizens consider adoption from Kyrgyzstan at this time. Currently, no adoption cases are being processed, including at least sixty-five adoption cases by U.S. citizens already in progress. In addition, the Kyrgyz government is considering significant changes to its adoption regulations. The Kyrgyz Government has formed [...] Read more »
