On March 25, 2014 USCIS announced that it would start processing premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than April 28, 2014. Normally “premium processing” begins when an application or petition is received by the US government. This year, however, the USCIS anticipates receiving a high level of premium processing H-1B cases within the first week
On March 23, 2014 the US Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela announced that it would not be able to continue scheduling appointments for first-time tourist (B-1/B-2) visa applicants. Visa appointments for these types of visas will only be available in emergency situations. Appointments are still available for renewals of B-1/B-2 visas so long as the visa has not been
The White House announced last week that President Obama has directed the Chief of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, to find more humane ways of enforcing U.S. deportation laws, while operating within the confines of the laws as they currently stand. This announcement came after the President met with three members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
A report by the Immigration Policy Center reveals that immigrants are essential to the economy of California, our nation’s most populous state. Immigrant entrepreneurs invest money, create jobs, and bring innovation to the state. Some of California’s most famous and important companies – including Yahoo!, eBay, Google, and Qualcomm – were founded by immigrants. The 2013 report
Congress mandates that an average of 34,000 beds be filled in mostly private detention facilities each day by immigrant detainees. The so called “bed quota” was passed as part of a Congressional appropriations legislation that approved funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). the Congressional budget specifies, “funding made available under this heading shall maintain
In 2010, Janet Napolitano, Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), informed Congress of certain immigration benefits provided to military families to allow their family members to become green card holders without departing the country and waiting abroad while their immigrant visas were processed. On November 15, 2013, the Director of U.S. Citizenship and
Jeh Johnson, the Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), announced on February 28, 2014 that DHS had designated Chile into the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”). Chile will soon be part of a group of 38 total countries that participate in the VWP. The VWP allows citizens of designated countries to travel to