Author: SCwpadmin

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 71 Comments

USCIS Reaches Annual Maximum Allocation of U Visas

Mere months after the start of the 2014 fiscal year, USCIS announced that is has approved the annual statutory maximum number of U visas. Until the 2015 fiscal year visa numbers become available on October 1, 2014, U visa petitions will still be reviewed and those petitioners that are eligible for a U visa will be placed on a waiting list . U visas grant non-immigrant status to individuals who have been victims of certain crimes, such as domestic violence, and  who assist law enforcement in the prosecution of the crime.  U visas were first issued in 2008 and over the last five consecutive years the statutory cap of 10,000 has been reached. USCIS reports that over 89,600 victims of crime and their families have received U visas since 2008.

 

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 26 Comments

Advocates Increase Efforts to Reach DACA Eligible Immigrants

The face of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is typically portrayed as Latin American, and more often than not, is also assumed to be Mexican. As most undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. do hail from Central and Latin America, deferred action advocacy and grassroots organizing has been focused around these populations. Yet, outreach to other immigrant communities, such as the Chinese and Filipinos, has been lacking. Groups like Atlas: DIY are trying to change this by conducting neighborhood outreach in immigrant neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Some advocates contend that there is less discussion of undocumented status within Asian communities, which may decrease the likelihood that qualified individuals will seek out deferred action. The New York City Council is investing millions in a push to help bring out these individuals. How advocates across the nation will reach their respective lesser-known immigrant communities remains to be seen.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 33 Comments

Fast for Families Continues

On Tuesday, several immigration activists, who had been fasting for the past 22 days to draw attention to the need for immigration reform, passed on their fasts to new fasters.  Democratic Representative Joe Kennedy, one of the seven new fasters, will fast for 24 hours before passing on the fast to another member of Congress. The “Fast for Families: A Call for Immigration Reform and Citizenship” has been held on the National Mall since November 12th and has garnered support from President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who both paid visits to the group of faith, immigrant rights, and labor leaders.

Although Speaker John Boehner has not responded to meeting requests from the group, he recently hired  Rebecca Tallent, former director of immigration policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a move which activists hope is an indication that immigration reform is still likely.

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 86 Comments

New E-Verify Posters

E-Verify has released new E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters that use less ink after receiving feedback on the E-Verify Listens site. Former versions of the posters are still acceptable and all E-Verify employers are required to have some version of the posters displayed.

E-Verify employers who may be interested in the development of an E-Verify mobile app can go to the E-Verify Listens site for more information or to submit ideas.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 50 Comments

E-Verify to Release Revised MOUs

E-Verify will be rolling out new E-Verify Memorandums of Understanding geared toward the various types of E-Verify access methods. While the enrollment process remains unaltered, new users must sign the new MOUs, which become available on December 8, 2013. It is important to note that existing users, who are not required to sign the new MOUs, are nonetheless bound to the rules of the new MOUs.  However, existing users will want to review the new versions as readability has been improved, making the MOUs far more accessible to users.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 98 Comments

New TPS Extension for Somali Nationals

An 18 month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended for eligible Somali nationals. The additional extension will go into effect March 18, 2014 and expires on September 17, 2015. For Somalis currently in TPS who wish to extend their status they must re-register between November 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. They may also apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for the duration of the extension.  Applicants must complete a  Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status and pay for the biometrics fee (or submit a fee waiver), though the application fee has been waived.

 

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

Revamped USCIS.gov Website Goes Live

The USCIS website has been redesigned and was launched today in both English and Spanish.  Director Alejandro Mayorkas describes the updates as part of USCIS’ “ongoing commitment to improving the quality of service we provide,” and adds that the agency gathered user feedback as part of their efforts to make the site  more accessible.  The updated site boasts a better search function and easier navigation menus as well as a more user-friendly change of address online tool.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 683 Comments

Grace Period to Correct E-Verify Issues

In light of the federal government shutdown, employers who who were unable to resolve Tentative Nonconfirmations in the E-Verify system in the two weeks leading up to the shutdown may add 12 federal business days to the original date listed on the referral letters in order to resolve their cases with the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security. For those employees that received a Final Nonconfirmation or No Show as a result of the shutdown, employers must enter a new case in E-Verify in order to allow them sufficient time to attempt to resolve the situation. Employees who were hired during the shutdown must still be entered into E-Verify. Because of the shutdown, employers have until November 5, 2013 to enter them into the system and may use the ‘other’ drop-down field and select ‘federal government shutdown’ to explain why the case is not within the 3-day rule.
by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 81 Comments

Government Reopens

The Federal Government reopened today following a 16-day shutdown that left immigration courts and USCIS offices closed. The Immigration Courts are now open regular business hours and hearings for detained cases are continuing according to schedule. Non-detained cases scheduled for October 17th are being rescheduled, but all non-detained cases scheduled for the 18th and later are proceeding on schedule. For those non-detained cases that were not heard during the shutdown, the courts will send notices for rescheduled hearing dates. E-Verify is operational and USCIS has released information for employers regarding how the shutdown impacted E-Verify and Form I-9. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has also reopened and will release a notice addressing filing that were due during the shutdown soon.

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

House Democrats Arrested During Rally For Immigration Reform

During a rally for immigration reform on Tuesday, several House Representatives were arrested for blocking traffic. The Representatives, all Democrats, included John Lewis, GA; Kieth Ellison, MN; Charles Rangel, NY; Jan Schakowsky, IL; and Luis Gutierrez, IL.  The rally was held on the National Mall, in spite of ‘closure’ due to the government shutdown, to urge Republican members of Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. While the Senate has passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that could be taken up by the House, House Democrats have released their own bill. The House bill is similar to that of the Senate and, it seems, is equally unlikely of passing in the Republican-controlled House.

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