Posts Categorized: Mexico

29
August 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive strategy to further improve the detection and prevention of fraud and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system.

Effective Oct. 1, USCIS will begin to phase-in interviews for the following:

  • Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
  • Refugee/asylee relative petitions (Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition) for beneficiaries who are in the United States and are petitioning to join a principal asylee/refugee applicant.

Previously, applicants in these categories did not require an in-person interview with USCIS officers in order for their application for permanent residency to be adjudicated. Beyond these categories, USCIS is planning an incremental expansion of interviews to other benefit types.

“This change reflects the Administration’s commitment to upholding and strengthening the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” said Acting USCIS Director James W. McCament. “USCIS and our federal partners are working collaboratively to develop more robust screening and vetting procedures for individuals seeking immigration benefits to reside in the United States.”

Conducting in-person interviews will provide USCIS officers with the opportunity to verify the information provided in an individual’s application, to discover new information that may be relevant to the adjudication process, and to determine the credibility of the individual seeking permanent residence in the United States. USCIS will meet the additional interview requirement through enhancements in training and technology as well as transitions in some aspects of case management.

Additionally, individuals can report allegations of immigration fraud or abuse by completing ICE’s HSI Tip Form.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov.

 

We serve the following localities: San Diego County including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Escondido; Los Angeles County including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach; Santa Clara County including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; Alameda County including Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley; Sacramento County including Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Folsom; and Orange County including Santa Ana and Anaheim.

 

17
August 2016

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a final rule expanding the existing provisional waiver process to allow certain individuals who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and who are statutorily eligible for immigrant visas, to more easily navigate the immigration process. The provisional waiver process promotes family unity by reducing the time that eligible individuals are separated from their family members while they complete immigration processing abroad, while also improving administrative efficiency.

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This final rule builds on a process established in 2013 to support family unity. Under that process, certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can apply for provisional waivers of the unlawful presence ground of inadmissibility, based on the extreme hardship their U.S. citizen spouses or parents would suffer if the waiver were not granted.

The rule announced today, which goes into effect on Aug. 29, 2016, expands eligibility for the provisional waiver process to all individuals who are statutorily eligible for the waiver of the unlawful presence ground of inadmissibility. USCIS expects to update its Policy Manual to provide guidance on how USCIS makes “extreme hardship” determinations in the coming weeks. Until now, only immediate relatives of U.S. citizens were eligible to seek such provisional waivers before departing the United States for the processing of their immigrant visas. Those eligible for the provisional waiver process under the 2013 rule are only a subset of those eligible for the waiver under the statute. This regulation expands eligibility for the process to all individuals who are statutorily eligible for the waiver.

To qualify for a provisional waiver, applicants must establish that their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses or parents would experience “extreme hardship” if the applicants are not allowed to return to the United States. The final rule also makes changes to Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver.

These changes will go into effect along with the final rule. The updated form will be posted on USCIS’ website at uscis.gov/i-601a on August 29, 2016. Applicants should not submit a request for a provisional waiver under the expanded guidelines until the final rule takes effect on Aug. 29, 2016. If you do so before that date, USCIS may deny the application.

 

 

 

 

05
June 2016

Mexico and Uruguay are set to face off in a Group C match at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday night.

Both sides come in with high aspirations for the tournament, Mexico led by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez up front, and Uruguay hoping to get by without star forward Luis Suarez, who has a hamstring injury but is not ready to return.

How to watch (the easy part)

Match time: 8 p.m. ET

TV channel: DirecTV and Dish Network on Fox Sports 1, and KBNT Univision Channel 17 in San Diego

Live stream: You can see Mexico-Uruguay and every match of the Copa America Centenario live in Spanish on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a 24–hour free trial. The match can be live streamed here in English.

Find the full schedule for the tournament here.

How to get a visa in Mexico to come to the U.S. (the hard part)

 

Regardless of visa class, according to U.S. immigration law, all applicants must qualify as an individual and overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. (H-1B and L visa applicants are exempt from overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent.) In addition, other specialty visa classes exist for agricultural workers, nurses, athletes, entertainers, major investors, and artists.

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05
June 2016

Mexico take on Uruguay at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (FS1, 8 p.m. ET). After a long wait, Mexico’s Copa America quest begins in earnest Sunday with a tough game against Uruguay. Sunday’s clash between Mexico and Uruguay will very much decide Group C. Keep your eyes on Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, this summer is his time to shine and El Tri are a different team with him on the pitch. Need further proof? Look at their 1-0 warm-up win vs. Chile last week. He came on as a 78th minute substitute, the score tied at 0-0, and promptly scored the winning goal with four minutes remaining. Chicharito (43 international goals) is just three shy of tying Jared Borgetti as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer.Juan Carlos Osorio, meanwhile, has set his team’s sights on nothing less than a trip to the final.

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Getting to the U.S. from Mexico, Legally!

If you are traveling to the U.S. from Mexico, here is some information about border wait times.

If you are seeking a visa to the U.S. from Mexico, here is some information about available visas.

Nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) are intended for those who plan to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure; students or exchange visitors embarking on study or cultural work programs in the U.S.; people who are transiting through the U.S. to other onward destinations; seasonal temporary workers or workers who have been hired by U.S. companies for longer periods of time; visitors on diplomatic, official or U.N. business; journalists who are providing media coverage of time-specific events; and others who are traveling to the U.S. for limited time periods.

 

To better understand the different visa classes for business travelers, please find below a brief description of the most frequently used visas for business work and training travel.

B1/B2 Business and Pleasure Visa:

  • Permits the traveler to consult with a business associate or negotiate a contract.
  • May buy goods or materials, or repair equipment.
  • Allows participation in conventions, conferences, or seminars.
  • May seek investment opportunities.
  • Short-term job training that takes place in a classroom or lecture hall setting, but not on-the-job training.
  • Travelers cannot be compensated from a U.S. source.

 

 

 

H-3 Trainee Visa:

  • A petition-based visa that allows the traveler to participate in on-the-job training.
  • The traveler’s pay can be based in U.S.
  • The traveler may not train in a position that would replace normal operations or take the job of a U.S. worker.

H-1B Work Visa:

  • A petition-based visa that allows work for a period of up to six years in a specialty occupation.
  • Specialty occupations are professions that require a college degree or equivalent to enter.

L Work Visa:

  • Intra-company transfers.
  • L visa classification designed for multinational businesses with offices in many countries and a corps of specialized employees.
  • A petition-based visa. The applicant must have been employed overseas by the transferring organization for at least one year within the past three years and will be performing duties in the United States for the same employer or a subsidiary or affiliate.
  • Their intended position in the U.S. is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge

Regardless of visa class, according to U.S. immigration law, all applicants must qualify as an individual and overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. (H-1B and L visa applicants are exempt from overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent.) In addition, other specialty visa classes exist for agricultural workers, nurses, athletes, entertainers, major investors, and artists.

 

 

01
June 2016

El “pequeño Marco” y sus menudos principios
Maribel Hastings

La Opinión/Impremedia

El Diario NY

Radio Bilingüe

Hoy Dallas

Contáctanos


POLÍTICA 2016

Marco Rubio se dice “honrado” de hablar por Trump en la convención, asegura que votará “y no por Hillary”
La Opinión/Impremedia

Análisis de las posibilidades presidenciales de Trump (Video)
Enfoque/Telemundo

Rocky de la Fuente, el “otro” demócrata en la boleta de California
La Opinión/Impremedia

Clinton y Sanders virtualmente empatados en California antes de la primaria del 7 de junio
La Opinión/Impremedia

Trump rechaza celebrar un debate con Sanders
EFE/La Opinión

Trump dice que EEUU trata mejor a indocumentados que a veteranos
EFE/La Opinión

Gary Johnson representará a libertarios en elecciones presidenciales
EFE/La Opinión

El Partido Libertario apuesta por Gary Johnson para seducir a los descontentos con Trump y Clinton
Univision.com

Inmigrantes salen a promover el voto en Los Ángeles
La Opinión/Impremedia

Las ideas de Donald Trump enfrentan a los estadounidenses cuerpo a cuerpo (Fotos)
Univision.com

Rosario Marín: “Trump ha destruido los esfuerzos republicanos para atraer a los latinos”
Latinocalifornia

EDITORIALES Y OPINIÓN

Trump y el juez “mexicano”
La Opinión/Editorial

De Rosa Parks a Donald Trump
Jorge Ramos/Univision.com

Trump pone en peligro todo lo que somos
Al Moncada/La Opinión

Bernie Sanders acabará con deportaciones que desgarran a nuestras familias
Sergio García/La Opinión

Trayectoria de Hillary Clinton con la comunidad latina amerita nuestro apoyo
John Trasviña/La Opinión

Los problemas del ‘unificador’ Trump
Jorge Delgado/La Opinión


COMUNIDAD HISPANA TEME MÁS REDADAS

Miedo se apodera de indocumentados en Carolina del Norte (Video)
Noticiero Univision

OTRAS NOTICIAS

Hispanos siempre presentes en las guerras en las que ha participado Estados Unidos (Video)
Noticiero Univision

Son veteranos de guerra, pero no pueden pisar suelo estadounidense
La Opinión/Impremedia

La ruta del migrante, cada vez más complicada (Video)
Noticiero Univision

Polémica política discriminatoria en Wisconsin (Video)
Noticiero Univision

La muerte de otro niño en el Mediterráneo recuerda al mundo el drama de la migración
Univision.com

‘Terminó la pesadilla’, dice inmigrante que pasó 16 años encarcelado erróneamente
La Opinión

El Papa a los niños: los inmigrantes no son peligrosos, están en peligro
EFE/La Opinión

Inician caminata por muerte de inmigrantes en el desierto de Arizona
EFE/Yahoo Noticias

Rhode Island: inmigrantes planean marchas por licencias
AP/Yahoo Noticias

Refugiados sí, turistas no: un graffiti en Mallorca destapa el hartazgo con los extranjeros adinerados
Yahoo Noticias

 

25
May 2016

 

A partir del 21 de abril, 2016, los peticionarios que presentaron un Formulario I-129, Petición de Trabajador No Inmigrante, y que solicitaron una extensión de estatus o cambio de empleador, pueden presentar una consulta despues de que la petición ha estado pendiente por 210 días o más. Ahora los solicitantes pueden presentar esta consulta en línea seleccionando “caso está fuera del tiempo normal de procesamiento”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Se les recuerda a todos los clientes de USCIS que si se mudan mientras su caso está pendiente, debe informarnos acerca de su cambio de dirección. Puede hacerlo electrónicamente en uscis.gov/es/cambiodireccion. También puede llamar al Centro Nacional de Servicio al Cliente al 1-800-375-5283 (TDD para sordos y personas con impedimentos auditivos: 1-800-767-1833) o enviarnos por correo su Formulario AR-11.

As of April 21, 2016, petitioners who filed Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting an extension of stay or change of employer, can submit an inquiry after their petition has been pending for 210 days or more. Petitioners may now submit this inquiry online by selecting “case outside normal processing time.”

Reminder: If you move while your case is pending, you must inform us of your address change so that you continue to receive our notifications. You may do so online at uscis.gov/addresschange, by calling the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for deaf and hard of hearing 800-767-1833) or by mailing Form AR-11, Change of Address.

 

 

23
May 2016

 

USCIS used to automatically stop the accrual of days on an asylum applicant’s Employment Authorization Document (EAD) clock when the applicant filed a Form AR-11, Change of Address. Given the increasing backlogs and lengthy delays in interview scheduling, this policy became overly burdensome for asylum applicants, limiting their ability to travel, reside in, and/or work in any location other than the original jurisdiction in which the asylum application was filed. AILA raised these concerns during the December 11, 2015, USCIS Asylum Division Stakeholders meeting, and in response, USCIS agreed to allow the asylum EAD clock to continue running after Form AR-11 is filed

 

USCIS confirmed during the May 5, 2016, USCIS Asylum Division Stakeholder meeting that it successfully implemented this change in its system by the end of February 2016. If practitioners find that an applicant’s EAD clock has been inadvertently stopped due to the filing of an AR-11, practitioners should contact the Asylum Office with jurisdiction over the case and request that it manually start the clock again.

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23
May 2016

 

Over the past few days, many of you probably heard that the Obama Administration is launching a new round of immigration raids targeting Central American women and children. The CARA Pro Bono Project staff have already begun to meet with families with final orders who were transferred to Dilley, Texas, over the past few days, and we will continue to monitor and report on the types of cases we see.

 

The American Immigration Council has been in the fight to defend Central American refugees through advocacy and research. The Council issued two pieces this week critical to the debate around how the United States should be responding to the Central American crisis. The first is a report on deported families, which tells the first-hand stories of women (former CARA clients) we interviewed who now are living in hiding in Central America because they fear for their lives. The second is an updated fact sheet highlighting the fact that a majority of children do attend their immigration hearings, particularly when they have legal representation. Both papers help explain how the current system is failing asylum-seeking children and families.

 

 

 

 

You may have also seen that, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law asked a judge to order the government to comply with the Flores Settlement and appoint an independent monitor to oversee the Obama Administration’s ongoing family detention policy. The Council and CARA Pro Bono Project partners assisted in the collection of declarations that are the basis for the Plaintiffs’ motion to enforce the Flores Settlement. These declarations attest to the deplorable conditions in Customs and Border Protection holding facilities, as well as the rampant violations of the rights of children and mothers detained in family detention facilities.

We will continue to update you as things develop through public statements, as well as the blog Immigration Impact.

Please reach out with any questions.

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19
April 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Texas is leading 26 states dominated by Republicans in challenging the programs that Obama announced in 2014 and that have been put on hold by lower courts.

 

The programs would apply to parents whose children are citizens or are living in the country legally. Eligibility also would be expanded for the president’s 2012 effort that applies to people who were brought here illegally as children. More than 700,000 people have taken advantage of that earlier program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The new program for parents, known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, and the expanded program for children could reach as many as 4 million people, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute.

 

 

 

The high court is expected to decide by late June whether the efforts can move forward in the waning months of Obama’s presidency, amid a presidential campaign that has been marked by harsh Republican rhetoric over immigration.

Republican governors and members of Congress have argued that Obama doesn’t have the power to effectively change immigration law. When he announced the measures 17 months ago, Obama said he was acting under his own authority because Congress had failed to overhaul the immigration system. The Senate had passed legislation on a bipartisan vote, but House Republicans refused to put the matter to a vote.

 

 

 

The administration and immigration advocates say the immigration orders are neither unprecedented nor even unusual. Rather, they say, Obama’s programs build on past efforts by Democratic and Republican administrations to use discretion in deciding whom to deport.

 

The administration and its supporters said the challenged programs do not offer blanket protection, but depend on case-by-case reviews. The protection from deportation also would be temporary, for three years.

 

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24
February 2016
Swearing in new U.S. citizens

The arena is packed with fans, the practice and hard work is done, the energy in the air is electric, and now it’s game time. A long, hard journey of blood, sweat and tears comes down to this pivotal moment. Officials take the court, the countdown…3…2…1…, the whistle blows, and game time! Fifty soon-to-be U.S. citizens take center court during the first-ever naturalization ceremony to take place during an NBA game. The new citizens hail from all corners of the globe and incredibly diverse backgrounds, but tonight they share one thing in common: they are about to take the final step in their immigration journey to become U.S. citizens.

On Feb 19, the Phoenix Suns basketball organization with us to host a unique half-time presentation for fifty very special new U.S. citizens. Because of the time constraints of an NBA halftime, we broke the ceremony into two parts. The first part took place at the Suns’ practice court, adjacent to the main arena, where the candidates and their families watched players warm up for the big game against the Houston Rockets, and waited for their ceremony to begin.

Gerda Weissmann addresses
the new citizens

The new citizens were welcomed by Phoenix Suns President Jason Rowley, who said he was honored and humbled to host the historic ceremony at their facility. Next up was Holocaust survivor, humanitarian, and Medal of Freedom recipient Gerda Weissmann Klein, who brought the audience of 200 to tears as she recounted her journey from a Nazi concentration camp to the shores of the United States. Klein spoke to new citizens wearing her Medal of Freedom for the first time since receiving it from President Obama at the White House in 2011.

“Today you join me as U.S. citizens,” Klein proudly stated. “I wear this medal today for the first time in your honor.”

After remarks from local USCIS leadership, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” it was time for the big show. The soon-to-be new citizens just needed one final play to close out the game.

As they walked through the tunnel and took center court, Suns players, staff and referees high-fived and congratulated the citizens. Like a well-oiled machine center court was set, all fifty candidates had their right hands raised in front of thousands of cheering fans, and within minutes they were officially US citizens. With smiles on their faces and flags in their hands, it was truly a day they will remember.

New U.S. citizens celebrate with the fans

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