USCIS will hold a teleconference on October 11, 2017, to discuss the expanded use of in-person interviews at USCIS Field Offices. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that part of the state’s new, and highly controversial immigration enforcement law, also known as SB 4, can go into effect, even as a legal challenge to the law continues. Last month, a district judge in San Antonio blocked the part of the law that forced jail officials to honor all federal detainer requests. Under the 5th Circuit ruling, local governments can no longer prohibit police officers from asking those they lawfully stop about their immigration status. The fact that police are allowed to ask about immigration...
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Some Categories of Applicants Seeking H-1B Visas Versión en español Sept. 18, 2017 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 cap. Premium processing has also resumed for the annual 20,000 additional petitions that are set aside to hire workers with a U.S. master’s degree or higher educational degree. USCIS previously resumed premium processing H-1B petitions filed on behalf of physicians under the Conrad 30 waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers and for certain H-1B petitions that are...
Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2019 DV program electronically at dvlottery.state.gov between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Tuesday, October 3, 2017, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Eligible applicants can submit an Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501) online at dvlottery.state.gov. Starting May 1, 2018, applicants will be able to check the status of an application by returning to “dvlottery.state.gov”, clicking on “Entrant Status Check”, and entering the unique confirmation number and personal information. “Entrant Status Check” will be the sole means of informing the applicant of the selection...
The New York Times published a collection of reaction from some top business leaders and companies who expressed their disapproval of President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program. The following is a sampling: Timothy D. Cook, Apple’s chief executive, tweeted that his company would fight for the people affected by Trump’s action to be “treated as equals.” Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg said the announcement marks “a sad day for our country.” Roger A. Iger, chairman and chief executive of the Walt Disney Co., tweeted: “Rescinding DACA is cruel and misguided. Dreamers contribute to...
BREAKING NEWS: Last night, in a 94-page order, Judge Garcia in the Western District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction in El Cenizo v. Texas, enjoining defendants from enforcing certain provisions of SB 4 (the bill that would have allowed Texas to jail sheriffs and fine towns for failing to cooperate with federal immigration policies). SB 4 would have become effective on Friday, September 1, 2017.
As you no doubt have read and seen in the media, the situation across Houston is dire and is posing challenges to the entire community due to the ravages of Hurricane Harvey and the aftermath of the storm. Many of our friends across southern Texas have been impacted by this terrible storm, and we continue to keep you in our thoughts during these challenging times. One thing that has always impressed me about the Houston community is the dedication and affection for each other. The first responders and unselfish volunteers served with passion and commitment during and after the terrible...
IR-2017-138, Aug. 30, 2017 WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 401(k)s and similar employer-sponsored retirement plans can make loans and hardship distributions to victims of Hurricane Harvey and members of their families. This is similar to relief provided last year to Louisiana flood victims and victims of Hurricane Matthew.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stated that it is not conducting immigration enforcement at relief sites such as shelters or food banks. In the rare instance where local law enforcement informs ICE of a serious criminal alien at a relief site that presents a public safety threat, ICE will make a determination on a case-by-case basis about the appropriate enforcement actions. More information is available at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) joint statement. The Federal Government strongly encourages all persons to follow the guidance...
USCIS has posted George Harrison's 90-page A-file online in the Reading Room.
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