Articles Posted in Immigration News

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has released all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the United States (Overall), for a total of fifty-two updated fact sheets with accompanying info graphics and other details. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants, Asians and Latinos in each state. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC).

With national immigration policy being discussed as part of Presidential Elections, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this IPC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Arkansas, California & Colorado.

The IPC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants, Latinos and Asians are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.

USCIS has published, (8/31/16), a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register for the proposed International Entrepreneur Rule. USCIS is inviting the public to comment for the next 45 days. To submit your comment, follow the instructions at the top of the Federal Register notice and remember the comment period ends on (10/17/16).

Background:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its regulations implementing the Secretary of Homeland Security’s discretionary parole authority to increase and enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation in the United States. The proposed rule would add new regulatory provisions guiding the use of parole on a case-by-case basis with respect to entrepreneurs of start-up entities whose entry into the United States would provide a significant public benefit through the substantial and demonstrated potential for rapid business growth and job creation.

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has released all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the United States (Overall), for a total of fifty-two updated fact sheets with accompanying info graphics and other details. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants, Asians and Latinos in each state. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC).

With national immigration policy being discussed as part of Presidential Elections, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this IPC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Alabama, Alaska & Arizona.

The IPC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants, Latinos and Asians are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.

USCIS has alerted stakeholders that (Special Situations) immigration measures are available for unforeseen circumstances, such as the recent severe storms and flooding in Louisiana but they must request them. The News Alert details several specific measures that may be available and are listed below. When making any of these Special Situations requests, explain how the severe storms and flooding in Louisiana caused your need for relief.

Immigration measures may be available upon request:

• Change of nonimmigrant status or extension of nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States, even if the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;

USCIS has published the transcript of the USCIS-DOS-HHS Press Call on Syrian Refugee Processing which took place on Friday, August 5, 2016. This Press Call (conference call) started off with statements by Assistant Secretary of State, The Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration, Anne C. Richard, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez, and Health and Human Services Director of Refugee Resettlement, Robert “(Bob)” Carey. The Question and Answer period start right after their opening statements. This transcript includes the opening statements and the Q&A period that followed.

Source of Information:

USCIS.gov, 8/9/16, Press Release:

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 8/11/16 with processing dates as of 6/30/16.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center (CSC)

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2016 statistics (thirrd quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2016 statistics (third quarter) cover April 2016 through June 2016.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2016 (third quarter)

On Monday, August 1, 2016, USCIS announced that if you currently have a 17-month STEM OPT extension, you may apply to add 7 month to your extension. To apply for this 7-month extension you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (with the required fee and signature) on or before August 8, 2016. USCIS will deny your application if you filed after August 8, 2016.

You may apply to add 7 months to your 17-month STEM OPT period if:

• You are currently participating in STEM OPT based on a 17-month extension;

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a stakeholder teleconference on Thursday, August 11, 2016 between 4:00 to 5:00pm (Eastern). The subject of the event will be a “Dialogue with USCIS Director León Rodríguez” and will include his introduction and a Q&A session. Director Rodríguez will highlight his agency’s initiatives then listen and respond to the stakeholder community.

Event Information:

DATE: Thursday, August 11, 2016 TIME: 4:00 – 5:00 pm (Eastern)

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 7/14/16 with processing dates as of 5/31/16.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center (CSC)