As we all know, a lot can happen between the time the petitioner files an alien relative petition (Form I-130) and the beneficiary adjusts status or immigrates. For example, the beneficiary might marry, divorce, turn 21, or die. Read the entire article here .

On 6/23/08 Jonathan Scharfen, Acting Director, USCIS contributed a piece to the DHS Leadership Journal in which he addressed, processing times for naturalization applications and visa wait times.

National Immigration Law Center (NILC) comprehensive table of state and local laws, resolutions and policies aimed at limiting the enforcement of immigration law by state and local authorities.

A 5/30/08 Memo from Donald Neufeld, Acting Associate Director, Domestic Operations, USCIS, provides supplemental guidance on the processing of I-140s and H-1Bs under AC21.

On 6/9/08 Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Gutierrez gave an address on the "State of Immigration", covering border enforcement, employment verification, workplace enforcement, H-1Bs, H-2Bs and more.

On 06/09/08, the House of Representatives passed, by a voice vote through a fast-track procedure known as the "suspension calendar", a bill to extend for 5 years the EB-5 regional center pilot program (H.R. 5569). The measure, introduced by Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), would reauthorize the regional center pilot program through fiscal 2013. This measure must now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.

President Bush issued executive order 13465, amending executive order 12989, so that federal contracting agencies cannot enter into contracts with employers that do not "use the best available means to confirm the work authorization of their workforce," i.e. E-Verify.

A 6/11/08 USCIS Update announces that USCIS will resume premium processing for I-140s starting in mid-June.

USCIS will issue two year EAD starting at the end of June 2008 for those whose AOS application is pending for more than one year. Below is the quote: "I'm also pleased to announce that we will be extending the validity period of the employment authorization documents that we issue to individuals who are waiting adjustment of status to lawful permit residenture or in colloquial phrase, the green card. Currently, adjustment applications are granted employment authorization documents with only a one year maximum validity. Beginning later this month, we'll start issuing these documents with a two-year validity period for aliens who are waiting adjustment of status if their application is expected to be pending for more than a year."

Please see the public statement from USCIS on the transition of N-400's to the NBC and a sample N-400 receipt .

USCIS to Offer Premium Processing for Certain Form I-140 Petitions Service Begins June 16, 2008. See SCOPS Liaison Update on Premium Processing for I-140s .

SSA issued a Fact Sheet on Decentralized Correspondence (DECOR) letters for tax year 2007. On 4/3/08 SSA began mailing these letters to employees in cases where the name and social security provided could not be matched to an earnings record.

On 4/22/08 USCIS released an Update listing projected processing times at local offices for naturalization applications.

On 4/22/08 USCIS issued a Fact Sheet related to the Aytes memo issuing guidance on adjustment of status applications filed by VAWA self-petitioners who are present in the U.S. without having been inspected or paroled.

AAO processing times as of 4/23/08

USCIS added NBC filing tips to its web-site. The tips provide information on filing petitions and applications with the National Benefits Center.

On 4/16/08 ICE raided seven Mexican restaurants in four states: NY, PA, OH, and WV. ICE carried out criminal arrests of the owner and managers, and detained 45 foreign nationals at 10 sites

On 4/16/08 ICE raided Pilgrim's Pride plants in five states. More than 280 foreign nationals were arrested at the poultry processing plants in TX, FL, TN, AR, and WV.

On 4/18/08 DHS announced that Secretary Chertoff signed a Visa Waiver Program Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan.

The ruling to extend OPT from 12 months to 29 months has come out. To qualify the student must have a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and the employer must be registered with E-verify.
- This rule extends the authorized period of stay as well as work authorization of any F-1 student who is the beneficiary of a timely filed H1B petition that has been granted by or remains pending with USCIS. The extension of status and work authorization terminates on October 1 of the fiscal year for which the H1B visa has been requested.
- A student meeting the eligibility requirements may file for a 17 month extension of employment authorization by filing form I-765 prior to the expiration date of the students current OPT employment authorization. If a student timely and property files the application for extension but the current employment expires prior to a decision on the extension application the students form I-766 is extended automatically.
- A new graduating student can apply for 29 months of OPT

USCIS announced the preliminary number H-1B petitions received during the filing period ending on 4/7/08.

DOS released the Visa Bulletin for May 2008. Section D addresses possible retrogression in the F-2A category. Section E notes that employment-based visa cut-off dates may be adjusted in the final quarter of FY 2008.

The SAVE Act relies on DHS' electronic employment verification system called "E-Verify." The system is fraught with errors and mandatory participation in the program will overload the SSA and adversely affect millions of U.S. citizens.

USCIS Update April 8, 2008, reports on FY2009 H-1B cap filings.

A 3/14/08 Memo from Gregory Jacob, Solicitor of Labor, describing the legislative and regulatory authority for the DOL to require SWAs to verify employment eligibility of H-2A applicants.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration and State Employment Agencies, regarding a State Employment Agency's participation in E-Verify.

On 3/27/08 DHS and DOS announced the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires travelers to present a secure citizenship and identity document for land and sea travel into the U.S. The rule is being published a year in advance of its 6/1/09 effective date.

On 3/27/08, DHS released FAQs on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's final rule on travel document.

On 2/28/08 USCIS released updated background check Q & As. The policy update is followed by the first draft of the Q & As released on 2/20/08.

In late 2007 CDC released updated technical instructions on vaccination requirements for immigrant visa applicants.

The Public Policy Institute of California released a report entitled " Crime, Corrections and California: What Does Immigration Have to Do with It?" that finds that immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes in California than those born in the U.S.

DOJ Announces Higher Fines for Employers Who Violate Immigration Laws. Attorney General Michael Mukasey announced on Feb 22, 2008, higher civil fines against employers who violate federal immigration laws. For the complete DOJ Press Release, click here.

The US has finally implemented rules for inter-country adoptions under the Hague Convention. Although signing on to the Convention more than 5 years ago, regulations just became available this month. Here are links to Dept. of State rules and US Immigration rules on this matter.