H1B Visa Lawyer BlogThe U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2012 statistics in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2012 statistics cover October 2011 through September 16, 2012. The link to each program factsheet is listed below.
Articles Posted in Immigration News
MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, October 12, 2012
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, October 12, 2012. Act now and submit your questions!
S. 3245 – 3-year Extension of EB-5, E-Verify, Religious Worker, and Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver (Updated 9/28/12)
S. 3245, introduced by Sen. Leahy (D-VT) on May 24, 2012, provides an extension of:
1. EB-5 Regional Center program – The Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (“Pilot Program”) was created by Section 610 of Public Law 102-395 (Oct. 6, 1992), and has been extended through Sept. 30, 2012. EB-5 requirements for an investor under the Pilot Program are essentially the same as in the standard EB-5 investor program, except the Pilot Program provides for investments that are affiliated with an economic unit known as a “Regional Center.” Investments made through regional centers can take advantage of a more expansive concept of job creation including both “indirect” and “direct” jobs.
2. E-Verify – an internet-based program used by an employer to verify an employee’s identity and to establish that the worker is eligible to accept employment in the United States.
APPLY TODAY for the 2014 Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2014) – ONLY ONLINE ENTRIES ACCEPTED
Annually, the United States government issues a maximum of 50,000 green cards through a computer-generated random lottery drawing. Applications for the DV-2014 random lottery will be accepted Tuesday, October 2, 2012 through Saturday, November 3, 2012. 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 2014 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2014)” for the complete list of countries/areas whose natives are eligible for DV-2014.
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, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.
MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, September 28, 2012
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 – General
I was able to file I-485 applications for myself and my wife in February and since then we have received the combined EAD/AP card. Can my wife apply for a SSN now? My health insurance coverage is requesting that she obtain a SSN.
Diversity Visa Program Scam Alert
The Department of State is warning the public that there has been an increase in fraudulent emails and letters being sent to Diversity Visa applicants. Some of these scammers are posing as the U.S. government and attempting to have payments sent directly to them. Diversity applicants should review the, “INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2014 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2014)” to know what to expect when applying for the program.
Note: Fees for the DV application process are paid to the U.S. Embassy or consulate cashier at the time of your scheduled appointment. The U.S. government will never ask you to send payment in advance by check, money order, or wire transfer.
For further details read the two Alerts:
Diversity Visa (DV-2014) Lottery – APPLY BEGINNING October 2, 2012 – ONLY ONLINE ENTRIES ACCEPTED
Annually, the United States government issues a maximum of 50,000 green cards through a computer-generated random lottery drawing. Applications for the DV-2014 random lottery will be accepted Tuesday, October 2, 2012 through Saturday, November 3, 2012. 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 2014 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2014)” for the complete list of countries/areas whose natives are eligible for DV-2014.
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, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.
MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, September 28, 2012
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 28, 2012. Act now and submit your questions!
Celebrate Citizenship Day! (September 17, 2012)
September 17 was designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. This year marks the U.S. Constitution’s 225th anniversary!
Many special Naturalization Ceremonies are being held at different locations across the country to honor this special day and anniversary! Before naturalizing, potential U.S. citizens must pass a naturalization test, which includes 10 civics questions, chosen from a pool of 100 possible questions. How well would you do on these sample questions?
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times
Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of September 1, 2012.
If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.