Articles Posted in Immigration News

On Wednesday, July 9, 2014, Leon Rodriguez was sworn in as the next Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS is a federal government agency with nearly 18,000 employees. They are responsible for administering the country’s immigration and naturalization system. USCIS is under the control of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Director Rodriguez stated, “Our role in administering our nation’s immigration and naturalization laws has never been more important. I look forward to working with the entire USCIS family, including our partners and constituents, to ensure that our mission is carried out with fairness and integrity.”

Director Rodriguez previously served as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 2011 to 2014. For more detailed information on his background please review the link, “Background Experience/Significant Achievements”.

MVP Law Group would like to congratulate Director Rodriguez and wish him great success! USCIS has shown great innovation in improvement of customer service and the use of technology for data collection! We here at MVP Law Group hope that this culture of innovation continues and grows under the new Director’s leadership!

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 7/8/14 with processing dates as of 5/31/14.

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)

President Obama has asked Congress for $3.7 billion in emergency funds to deal with the current crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing the southwest border of the United States. These children are fleeing from Mexico (25%) and the Central American (75%) countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The list below is a breakdown of how the $3.7 billion in emergency funds would be spent by the federal government:

– $1.1 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement,

On Sunday, June 29, at 9 p.m. EST, the Cable News Network (CNN) will be airing the CNN Film, “Documented.” This film is the story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas and other undocumented immigrants in this country. Vargas, who wrote, produced and directed this film, describes himself as a gay, undocumented Filipino-American. Vargas states, “I am not the ‘illegal’ you think I am, and immigration is not what you think it is.” Vargas won the Pulitzer Prize as part of a team of Washington Post reporters for their coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings.

MVP Law Group‘s Managing Attorney, Kellie Lego attended an advanced screening of the film in Boston at the AILA Annual National Immigration Conference last week. Jose Antonio Vargas held a question and answer session with attendees after the film. She felt the film was very informative. She encourages everyone to watch this film! No matter where you stand concerning immigration in the United States, this film promises to give you a different insight into the problem.

Source of Information:

Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson announced (June 24, 2014) that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Leon Rodriguez as the new Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Leon Rodriguez was the Director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prior to his appointment. Director Rodriguez will be replacing Alejandro Mayorkas who served as the Director of USCIS from August 12, 2009 – December 23, 2013.

Lori Scialabba, who was appointed by President Obama as Acting Director of USCIS on Dec. 23, 2013, has filled the position until now. She served as Deputy Director of USCIS before that.

We here at MVP Law Group would like to congratulate Director Leon Rodriguez and wish him great success at USCIS.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2014 statistics (third quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2014 statistics (third quarter) cover April 2014 through June 2014.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2014 (third quarter)

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2014 statistics (second quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2014 statistics (Second quarter) cover January 2014 through March 2014.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2014 (second quarter)

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 6/3/14 with processing dates as of 4/30/14.

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)

President Obama has reportedly told the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jeh Johnson to continue the review of his department’s deportation policies! The President has instructed him to delay the release of the report until after Congress takes its August recess. The White House is concerned that the Republican controlled House would not act on any Immigration Reform legislation if the President tries to act on his own, using his Executive Authority. At least it looks like Immigration Reform still has a chance in this Congress or at least a compromised version.

For more detailed information, review the news articles linked below.

Source of Information:

Each year, people from all over the world come to the United States in search of protection because they have experienced oppression or fear that they will suffer oppression due to religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.

There is no limit placed on the number of immigrants who can receive asylum in the US. Anyone can apply for asylum regardless of their immigration status. However, he/she must ask for asylum at their port of entry or apply within one year of coming to the United States.

In order to apply, one must file an I-589 form with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). A case is conducted, including taking biometrics, as well as an interview with an Asylum Officer. In some cases, the officer will refer this case to a hearing with an Immigration Judge. During the hearing, applicants must present physical evidence, provide witnesses and document conditions in their home country to prove they were persecuted at home or would be if they went back. The Immigration Judge will make the decision whether or not to grant asylum. Once asylum is granted, the person(s) can live and work in the United States for the remainder of their lives. After one year of being in “Asylee Status,” he/she can submit an application for a Green Card and ultimately United States citizenship.