Immigration News

September 26, 2013

DACA Report released by the Center for American Progress

On Friday, September 20, 2013, the Center for American Progress released a report on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The report entitled “Undocumented No More” is a nationwide analysis of DACA’s implementation over the last year. The (51) page report has many great sections, from summarizing DACA to how the different regions of the country have implemented it and how that has caused differences. The report has a section entitled;” The gendered dimensions of DACA” which examines how DACA is being implemented across gender lines, which is not something that we have seen discussed before and is very interesting. We encourage you to read the report.

The Center for American Progress describes itself is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action. The Center which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. is a Public Policy Think Tank!

Source of Information:

September 24, 2013

USCIS Announces FY 2013 Grants

by Kellie N. Lego

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they have awarded nearly $9.9 million in grants to qualified organizations serving immigrants. These grants will be used by 40 organizations from 21 states to help prepare legal permanent residents (LPR) for U.S. citizenship.

The News Release stated, “Under this year’s program, grant recipients will offer citizenship instruction to prepare permanent residents for the civics and English components of the naturalization test, and naturalization application services within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law. The period of performance for the grants is two years.”

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas stated, “This funding will help thousands of permanent residents gain the support they need to learn English and civics, and embrace the important rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship.” For more detailed information please review the USCIS News Release listed below.

September 23, 2013

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, September 27, 2013

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, September 27, 2013. Act now and submit your questions!

September 20, 2013

Diversity Visa (DV-2015) Lottery Announced

by Kellie N. Lego

Annually, the United States government issues a maximum of 50,000 green cards through a computer-generated random lottery drawing. Applications for the DV-2015 random lottery will be accepted from noon (EDT) Tuesday, October 1, 2013 through noon (EDT) Saturday, November 2, 2013. Paper entries will not be accepted, eligible participants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) to apply during this period. Early entry is recommended and they strongly encourage applicants not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter!

These green cards are only available to those eligible participants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Please check the “INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2015 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2015)” for the complete list of countries/areas whose natives are eligible for DV-2015.

Natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply because the countries sent a total of more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Also, persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible. A notable change in eligibility for DV-2015, natives of Nigeria are no longer eligible.

September 19, 2013

Updated Service Center Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 9/17/13 with processing dates as of 7/31/13.

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

September 17, 2013

DACA Statistics – USCIS Update through 8/31/13

by Kellie N. Lego

These USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 8/31/13 show a total of 567,563 DACA requests accepted for processing, 555,958 biometric services appointments scheduled, 455,455 requests approved, and 9,578 requests have been denied.

The data also shows the number of accepted and approved requests from the top countries of origin and the top states of residence. Mexico was the top county of origin with 433,318 received to date and 350,056 approved. California was the top state of residence with 161,624 received to date and 134,857 approved.

View the (.PDF) USCIS Report, “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process (August, 2013)”

September 13, 2013

MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, September 13, 2013

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

Question #1- Family Based Immigration

I was married to a U.S. citizen for 4.5 years. Seven months ago, my husband passed. We were not separated and were living together at the time of his death. Neither of us filed an immigrant application during our marriage. May I still file an immediate relative immigration petition based on my marriage to my deceased U.S. citizen husband?

September 12, 2013

FY2013 Cap for U Visas is filled

by Kellie N. Lego

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a News Alert (9/6/13) stating that the statutory maximum of 10,000 U nonimmigrant petitions (U Visas) for FY2013 has been reached. This is the 4th year in a row that this maximum cap has been reached before the end of the fiscal year. USCIS will continue to accept U visa petitions! USCIS will process them in the order received at the beginning of FY2014, which starts October 1, 2013, at that point the U Visa cap of 10,000 will open again.

The U nonimmigrant status (U Visa) is set aside for victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Note that a U-Visa petition requires certification of assistance from law enforcement.

Source of Information:

September 9, 2013

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, September 13, 2013

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, September 13, 2013. Act now and submit your questions!

September 5, 2013

SIV Program for Iraqi Nationals to Expire on 9/30/13

by Kellie N. Lego

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have issued a bulletin reminding Iraqis Nationals that the U.S. government’s authorization for their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program will expire on September 30, 2013. This SIV program was setup for Iraqis Nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq. Individuals and their family members applying under this program must be admitted to the U.S. or adjust status before October 1, 2013.

The U.S. Embassy in Iraq’s website states, “We recognize that many who have been employed or worked on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq, and their families, face real threats as a result of their U.S. government affiliation. We take these threats, and the concerns of those who work with us, very seriously and we are committed to providing them with the benefits for which they are legally eligible.”

For more information on the Iraq SIV program, please check the USCIS website or call their National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. You can also find other useful information about the Iraq SIV program on the U.S Embassy in Iraq’s website.