Monthly Archives: December 2015

31
December 2015

USCIS Alerta al Público Afectado por el Clima Severo Acerca de Medidas de Alivio Migratorio

USCIS ofrece medidas de alivio migratorio que pueden ser de ayuda para las personas afectadas por circunstancias imprevistas, como por ejemplo el clima severo y las inundaciones en las áreas del sur y el medio oeste de los Estados.


Las siguientes medidas están disponibles para las personas que soliciten:

  • Cambio o extensión del estatus de no inmigrante para personas que están presentes en los Estados Unidos en la actualidad, aún si la petición es presentada después de que el período autorizado de admisión haya expirado
  • Renovación del permiso de estadía a las personas a quienes USCIS se lo haya expedido anteriormente
  • Procesamiento expedito de peticiones de permiso de estadía
  • Adjudicación expedita de peticiones de autorización de empleo F-1 fuera del campus para estudiantes que experimentan dificultades económicas severas
  • Adjudicación expedita de solicitudes de autorización de empleo cuando sea apropiado
  • Consideración de exenciones de tarifas debido a imposibilidad de pago
  • Asistencia para aquellos que recibieron una Petición de Evidencia o una Notificación de Intención de Denegación, pero no pudieron asistir a la entrevista, presentar evidencia o responder a tiempo
  • Reemplazo de documentos de viaje de inmigrante perdidos o dañados expedidos por USCIS, tales como una Tarjeta de Residente Permanente (Tarjeta Verde)
  • Reprogramación de citas programadas para la toma de datos biométricos

Nota: Al momento de presentar una petición, los clientes deben explicar cómo el clima severo causó la necesidad del alivio solicitado.

Para aprender más acerca de cómo solicitar estas medidas, llame al Centro Nacional de Servicio al Cliente de USCIS al 800-375-5283 (TDD para sordos o personas con capacidad auditiva limitada: 800-767-1833). Para más información, veauscis.gov/es/programas humanitarios/situaciones especiales.

Contáctanos

29
December 2015

USCIS Aprueba 10,000 Visas U por Séptimo Año Fiscal Consecutivo

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha aprobado la cantidad máxima reglamentaria estatutaria de 10 mil peticiones de estatus de No Inmigrante U (Visas U) para el año fiscal 2016. Esto marca el séptimo año consecutivo en que USCIS ha alcanzado la cantidad máxima estatutaria desde que comenzó a expedir visas U en el año 2009.

Cada año, 10 mil Visas U están disponibles para víctimas de ciertos crímenes clasificados que han sufrido abuso mental o físico sustancial y están dispuestas a ayudar a las autoridades del orden público a investigar o procesar dichos crímenes. Una petición de Visa U requiere que se certifique que la víctima ha ayudado a las agencias del orden público.

Aunque USCIS ha alcanzado el límite máximo reglamentario de 10 mil visas U, continuará revisando las peticiones que están pendientes de elegibilidad. Los peticionarios elegibles a quienes no se les pueda otorgar una Visa U-1 únicamente debido al tope máximo, recibirán de parte de USCIS una carta notificándoles que han sido colocados en una lista de espera para recibir una Visa U cuando éstas estén disponibles nuevamente. La carta también informará a los peticionarios acerca de las opciones que tienen disponibles mientras están en la lista de espera. Los peticionarios y los familiares que cualifiquen deben continuar en cumplimiento con los requisitos de elegibilidad al momento en que la Visa U sea expedida.

USCIS continuará expidiendo Visas U el 1 de octubre de 2016, primer día del año fiscal 2017, cuando las visas estén disponibles nuevamente.

El Congreso creó el programa de Visa U para fortalecer la capacidad de las agencias del orden público para investigar y procesar casos de violencia doméstica, abuso sexual, trata de personas y otros crímenes, mientras ofrece protección a las víctimas. Más de 117,579 víctimas y sus familiares han recibido Visas U desde que se creó el programa en el año 2009.

Visite www.uscis.gov/es para más información sobre el programa de Visas U o lea nuestra página web sobre Víctimas de Actos Criminales.

23
December 2015

Employment-Based Immigration Modernization

Remember Executive Action in Immigration Reform and the promise of work authorization and EAD cards for all the H-1B Visa Holders on the EB-2 and EB-3 Backlog from India and China, is this finally the answer?

On December 22, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concluded its review of a rule proposed (8 CFR 103, 8 CFR 204 to 205, 8 CFR 245, 8 CFR 274a) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would “allow certain approved immigrant petition for alien worker (form I-140) beneficiaries to obtain work authorization…” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to modernize the immigrant visa system by amending its regulations governing the adjustment of status process and employment-based immigration. This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.

Through this rule, DHS proposes to allow certain approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) beneficiaries to obtain work authorization, clarify the meaning of portable work authorization, and remove unnecessary restrictions on the ability to change jobs or progress in careers, as well as provide relief to workers facing lengthy adjustment delays. (under Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 8 U.S.C. 1154 and 1155, 8 U.S.C. 1255, 8 U.S.C. 1324a)

 

There is no legal deadline or timetable set. It is not expected that the proposed rule will be implemented soon. When the rule is implemented, Guerra & Johnson, P.C. will be able to help eligible individuals apply for work authorization and provide any updates as soon as this information is released.

Contact Us

Are you interested in learning more and supporting this rule?

Ask your Legislator to Support Business Reform:

Our nation needs highly skilled individuals to bring innovation and job growth to our economy and sometimes those workers come from outside of the U.S. Positive immigration reforms that can ameliorate the damage caused by our out dated business immigration system.

Schedule In-Person Meetings

Face-to-face meetings are the most effective way to influence your legislators and build or maintain relationships with them. In the district offices, staff typically handle constituent services and immigration casework and are the legislator’s constant connection to their constituents. In the D.C. offices, staff work on legislation, regulatory, and policy issues every day and greatly influence their bosses’ positions and votes.

Establish a Relationship With a Congressional Office as an Immigration Caseworker

Get to know your lawmakers immigration caseworker by presenting yourself as a resource on legal immigration matters. Help the caseworker understand the direct correlation between the treatment of immigrants under our outdated immigration laws. This is helpful in achieving advocacy goals!

Host a Congressional Breakfast

Invite Congress member and staff to breakfast, to discuss immigration issues facing their constituencies and hear from them their positions on immigration policy. Breakfasts can be issued all year long to educate and maintain contact with local staff from your local Congressional offices.

 

21
December 2015

Understanding the Legal Challenges to Executive Action from the American Immigration Council

On November 20 and 21, 2014, President Barack Obama announced a series of administrative reforms of immigration policy, collectively called the Immigration Accountability Executive Action. The centerpiece of these reforms is an expansion of the current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) initiative for the parents of U.S citizens and lawful permanent residents who meet certain criteria.

Together, these initiatives could provide as many as 5 million immigrants with temporary relief from deportation. Moreover, DAPA and expanded DACA is expected not only to keep families united, but also to increase U.S. gross domestic product, increase tax revenue, and raise wages.

Read more »

17
December 2015

Resources on October 2015 Visa Bulletin

December 14, 2015

 

DOS and DHS filed in the Western District of Washington a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ class action lawsuit, contending that the court lacks jurisdiction under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to review the revisions to the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” chart, and that the plaintiffs have failed to state a viable claim for relief.

 

17
December 2015

Visa Reciprocity Changes

The following chart shows the changes that have been made to the Country Reciprocity Tables since our last publication.

Also, additional items may have been added to our homepage reflecting the various clearances that are required for some

nationality groups, certain Presidential Proclamations affecting visa issuance, and the “Temporary Reciprocity Schedule” that is

used for newly independent countries, or when deemed necessary.

Date Area/Country of Change Change

12/15/15 Spain Updated police record information.

12/9/15 Malaysia Updated police record information.

12/7/15 Algeria Updated document information and post contact information.

11/30/15 Slovakia Removed petition based visa fees.

11/23/15 Venezuela Updated police record information.

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11
December 2015

Centros Regionales EB-5 Deberán Presentar su Formulario I-924A antes del 29 de Diciembre

USCIS les recuerda a los Centros Regionales EB-5 aprobados con carta de designación fechada antes del 30 de septiembre de 2015, que deben presentar el Formulario I-924A, Suplemento del Formulario I-924 correspondiente al año fiscal 2015 no más tarde del 29 de diciembre de 2015.

Se requiere que los Centros Regionales presenten un Formulario I-924A cada año para demostrar elegibilidad continua a la designación como centro regional. Vea 8 CFR 204.6(m)(6).

La designación como centro regional puede ser cancelada por lo siguiente:

  • No proveer información requerida (lo que incluye no presentar anualmente el Formulario I-924A)
  • No promover el crecimiento económico.

Un Centro Regional cuya designación en el Programa EB-5 ha sido cancelada no puede pedir, generar o promover inversores o inversiones, ni de ninguna manera participar como Centro Regional afiliado al Programa de Inversionistas Inmigrantes.

No hay tarifa de presentación del Formulario I-924A. Hemos publicado consejos de presentación

Contáctanos

10
December 2015

K-1 Visa Updates in wake of Tashfeen Malik Visa Issuance

In his address to the nation Sunday, President Obama said he had ordered the Departments of State and Homeland Security to review “the visa waiver program under which the female terrorist in San Bernardino originally came to this country.”

He misspoke.

The White House corrected Obama in its official transcript sent less than an hour after he concluded his remarks. The correction was noted with an asterisk and a strikethrough of the word “waiver.” That’s because Tashfeen Malik, the woman who would later join her husband in slaughtering 14 people in San Bernardino, entered the United States on a K1 visa, also known as a fiancé visa.

The K1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé of a U.S. citizen to travel to the U.S. and marry his or her sponsor within 90 days of arrival. It is one of dozens of visas that allow foreigners to enter the U.S.

“Since 9/11, all of these (visas) involve multiple layers of vetting with multiple agencies putting folks through various systems, where we watch individuals, what their affiliations are, whether they’re on any kind of watch lists,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a news briefing Thursday. “All of this is done for any visa applicant.”

The head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services told lawmakers Wednesday that the agency is reviewing the fiance visa program used by one of the attackers in San Bernardino, and that USCIS has been ordered to retroactively review such cases approved in recent years.

During a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez confirmed the agency is reviewing the K-1 visa program said to have been used by Tashfeen Malik, one of the two shooters in the San Bernardino attack that left 14 people dead.

(information provided by Los Angeles Times, State Department and USCIS)

10
December 2015

Cross-Border Express (CBX) is Open and Free until December 18th

The CBX allows travelers to avoid the long traffic wait times at the regular border crossings.

The purple pedestrian bridge is free from today through Dec. 18.

The skywalk is only accessible to ticketed Tijuana Airport passengers who have boarding passes for flights departing within 24 hours or having arrived within 4 hours. You’ll be required to go through U.S. Customs & Border Protection if you are traveling north, and Mexican Customs & Border Protection if you are traveling south.

CBX is an international border crossing, and all standard international requirements apply. The CBX straddles the world’s only border with an airport straddling two countries.The only other cross-border airport known to industry experts is in the European Union — between Basel, Switzerland, and France’s Upper Rhine region. On the U.S. side, the city of San Diego has approved a 340-room hotel, shopping center and gas station.

 

Tijuana International Airport is a springboard to about 30 Mexican destinations including direct flights to destinations you can’t get through San Diego’s Lindbergh Field, with some of those flights being less expensive. Airport officials on both sides of the border, don’t consider Tijuana a threat to San Diego’s airport because they share few routes. Both are primarily domestic airports, and Tijuana has shown no sign of expanding international destinations beyond Shanghai and Oakland, California. The airlines providing service are Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect, Interjet, VivaAerobus, Volaris and Aero Calafia.

 

The CBX facility is ADA compliant, in partnership with airlines flying in and out of TIJ, CBX also provides wheelchair assistance.U.S. Customs and Border Protection protects the border in the same ways they protect in Otay Mesa and in San Ysidro, though this port of entry is one of the few that are privately funded. The San Diego terminal is between those two crossing sites. Customs and Border Protection in CBX provides full immigration services, as in any other land or airport port of entry including I-94 permits. Trusted Traveler Programs such as the Global Entry, and Sentri programs can be used at CBX also.

 

All US and Mexican Customs and Immigration regulations will be enforced.

Please review the following links for more information:
https://www.cbp.gov/
https://www.sat.gob.mx/Paginas/Inicio.aspx#
https://www.inm.gob.mx/

For questions about Mexico Customs and Immigration, please visit https://www.sat.gob.mx/​
For more things to know before you go, https://www.crossborderxpress.com/travel-requirements.

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(information provided by Los Angeles Times, KGTV San Diego, and CrossBorderXpress.com)

10
December 2015

Diversity Visa Cut-Offs for February

DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN FEBRUARY

 

For February, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2016 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

Region All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA 17,200 Except:
Ethiopia: 16,100
ASIA 4,500 Except:
Nepal: 3,700
EUROPE 19,100
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) 5
OCEANIA 750
SOUTH AMERICA,
and the CARIBBEAN		 750