.

THE OH LAW FIRM

Dedicated Professionals in Immigration Law for Over 26 Years


Archive XIII

(12/01/05 - 06/14/06)

 The Oh Law Firm and its Lawyers are not responsible for reliance by the reader on this information as each individual situation may be unique and different. The readers are advised to seek legal counsel from a qualified immigration attorney. The information stated here is subject to change.


Home Page: www.immigration-law.com

Current Page[07/01/2010 - Present]/Archive XXI[03/01/2010-06/30/2010]/Archive XX[05/01/2009-02/28/2010/Archive XIX[10/01/2008-04/30/2009]/Archive XVII[03/31/2008 - 09/30/2008]Archive XVI[08/01/2007 - 03/31/2008/Archive XV [04/30/2007 - 07/31/2007]/Archive XIV[06/15/2006 - 03/31/2007]Archive XIII [12/01/05 - 06/1/06. ]

06/14/2006: DHS/ICE Proposed Rule on Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Receiving a No-Match Letter

06/14/2006: AILA Reports Anti-Immigrant Calls to Congress Outnumbers Pro-CIR at 400:1

06/14/2006: USCIS Announcement to Issue RFE for Pending Fiancee Petitions

06/14/2006: El Salvador TPS Designation Extension & EAD Extension Notice to be Published on 06/15/2006

06/13/2006: Notice to the Attorney Matthew Oh Clients

06/13/2006: Service Centers June 13, 2006 Processing Times Report

06/13/2006: July 2006 Visa Bulletin

06/13/2006: Proposed Form I-515A to Allow Students to Enter W/O Documents for 30 Days

06/11/2006: Welcome Address to Dr. William Carlson, Returning Chief of Office of Foreign Labor Certification

06/10/2006: Surge of Citizenship Applications For Fear of Potential Enactment of Negative Immigration Reform Legislation

06/08/2006: We Welcome USCIS' Timely Release of H-1B Cap Exempt and Outstanding Researcher Guidance Memorandums

06/07/2006: USCIS Released "Long-Awaited" Memorandum on 06/06/2006 for Guidance of Definition of "Permanent" Employment for Outstanding Researchers

06/07/2006: USCIS Released "Long-Awaited" Memorandum on 06/06/2006 for Guidance of H-1B Cap Exempt Petitions

06/07/2006: Advisory on FY 2007 U.S. Master or Higher Degree H-1B Cap Count

06/06/2006: DOL's New Initiative for Back-Wage Online Locator for Employees and Potential Immigration Fallout and Immigration Enforcement

06/03/2006: House Hardliners Come Up With A Weapon to Block CIR Conference Committee

06/03/2006: Return of Congress to Session on 06/05/2006 and Bush's Agenda to Support CIR

06/02/2006: Status of Service Centers' Processing of I-140/I-485

06/01/2006: USCIS Announced Today H-1B Cap Reached 05/26/2006

05/30/2006: "Imminent" FY 2007 H-1B Cap Reach

05/30/2006: Mexican Laser Visa Documentation Change Effective Today

05/30/2006: Fate of CIR - Conference Compromise or Post November Midterm National Election, That is the Question.

05/28/2006: We Will Launch Review of S. 2611 as Amended in the Form of Q&A

05/27/2006: Here We Go! Federal Raids Target Immigrants in a National Effort to Pursue Deportation Ordered Illegal Aliens

05/26/2006: H-1B Cap Count 05/25/2006: 49,034

05/26/2006: Immigrants Rounded Up as New Legislation Passes the Senate and Likely Pumped Up

05/26/2006: Semi-Conductor Industry Association Hails Passage of S. 2611

05/26/2006: Critical Role of House-Senate Conference Committee and Importance of Selection of the Conferees

05/26/2006: USCIS to Extend TPS Designation and Automatic Extension of EAD for One Year for El Salavadorans

05/26/2006: Immigration Statistics Report Released by DHS on 05/24/2006

05/25/2006: In re Jian An Wang, Decision of BIA, May 25, 2006

05/25/2006: Statement of the President on the Occasion of Senate Passing CIR

05/25/2006: Senate Passed S. 2611 by 62:36!

05/25/2006 5:30 p.m. (EST): The Last Amendment Voted

05/25/2006 5:00 p.m. (EST): Only One More Amendment to Vote Before the Roll Call for S. 2611

05/25/2006: An Amendment Relating to EB Immigration Passed Today

05/25/2006: H-1B Cap Count of May 23, 2006

05/25/2006: DOL Foreign Labor Certification Chief Change Again on June 12, 2006

05/25/2006: Follow-Up of Substitution Elimination Rule-Making Process

05/24/2006: Senate Agreed to Motion to Cloture and Expected to Vote S. 2611, as Amended, Tomorrow, 05/25/2006

05/24/2006: e-Filing of H-1B Temporarily Suspended and Unavailable

05/23/2006: Service Centers May 22, 2006 Processing Times

05/23/2006: Rising Hope of S. 2611 Passage in the Senate Thursday 05/25/2006

05/23/2006: H-1B Cap Count 05/19/2006= 15,324 Remaining

05/23/2006: New Premium Processing Procedures: Designation vs. Availability of the Services at a Given Time

05/23/2006: USCIS Designates I-140, EB-Based I-539, EB-Based I-765 for Premium Processing Services

05/22/2006: Senate to Call House-Senate Conference Committee after S. 2611 Passes in the Senate

05/22/2006: USCIS Local District Offices Processing Times as of May 22, 2006

05/22/2006: USCIS Recalls Fiancee Petitions With the Receipt Date on or after 03/06/2006

05/21/2006 9:30 EST: DOL/ETA Website Works Again

05/21/2006: Monday Senate S.2611 Amendments Voting Schedules

05/19/2006: Senate Adjourned After 1:15 p.m. Today and No Record Votes on CIR

05/19/2006: Opponent of Immigration Legislation Predicts its Passage by Next Week

05/18/2006: Senate Agreed to Motion to Table Sen. Kyl's Controvertial Amendment 3969

05/18/2006: H-1B Cap Count of 05/16/2006 Moved from 34,808 on 05/12/2006 to 39,445 in Four Days

05/18/2006: GAO Report of 05/18/2006 on the Status of J-1 Waivers by Foreign Physicians under the Conrad 30 Program

05/17/2006: Labor Department Website Down Announcement

05/16/2006: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, S. 2611, Voting Activities and Results Today

05/16/2006: State Department 05/06/2006 Cable on Student Visa Processing

05/16/2006: Quickly Running Out FY 2007 H-1B Cap Numbers - Balance of 23,192 as of May 12, 2006!

05/15/2006: Labor Certification System Reengineering and Potential Impact on China EB-2 Visa Numbers in the Future

05/13/2006: Electronic Filing/Processing/Adjudication of USCIS as Reflected in the April 2006 Semi-Annual Rule-Making Agenda

05/12/2006: June 2006 Visa Bulletin

05/12/2006: More on Scheduled Senate Debate of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Next Week

05/11/2006: Senate to Resume CIR Debate Next Week

05/10/2006: Senate Leaders Are Pushed to Pick Up Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Starting This Week and Vote before Memorial Day

05/09/2006: FY 2007 H-1B Cap Number Moves Somewhat Faster Than Expected

05/09/2006: BS or MS Degree and Equivalence and NSC Position

05/09/2006: Traditional Practice of Filing Two I-140 Petitions Based on Same Labor Certification Under Review by USCIS HQ

05/09/2006: Imporant Procedural Changes Forthcoming for I-140/I-485 Concurrent Filing and NIW

05/09/2006: USCIS Today (May 2006 Edition)

05/08/2006: May 8, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

05/07/2006: Ongoing Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation and Lessons from 1986 Immigration Reform

05/05/2006: Key Political Players That Will Determine Fate of Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) Legislation

05/05/2006: DHS Immigration Statistics Reflect Continuing Reduction of Pending Immigration Benefits Cases

05/05/2006: Cornyn "SKIL Bill" and Proposed Visa Revalidation Reinstatement

05/04/2006: Section-by-Section Summary and Senate Floor Speech of Sen. Cornyn SKIL Bill, S. 2691

05/04/2006: Losers and Winners in Three Pending Employment-Based Immigration Reform Bills

05/04/2006: Reported Backlash of "Day Without Immigrants"

05/04/2006: American Consulate in Delhi's Misleading Immigrant Visa Priority Date Report

05/04/2006: Executive Business Meeting of Senate Judiciary Committee

05/02/2006: Senator John Cornyn Introduced S.2691 for "Legal" Employment-Based Immigration Legislation

05/02/2006: Impact of Yesterday's "Day Without Immigrants" and Rallies Yet To Be Seen

05/02/2006: Ongoing Immigration Files and Filing Automation Process and GAO Critiques

05/02/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Schedules a Full Executive Business Meeting on May 4, 2006

04/30/2006: PERM Online Labor Certification Filing Site Down

04/30/2006: Advisory for Substitution I-140 Filers Either Waiting Decision or On Appeal to AAO or Motion to Reopen/Reconsider

04/30/2006: FY 2007 H-1B Cap Number Prediction

04/28/2006: Bi-Specialization (140 & 129) and Frontlog for Two Weeks

04/28/2006: FY 2007 H-1B Cap Count As Of 04/24/2006

04/27/2006: USCIS Explains Immigration Security Checks

04/26/2006: Immigration Reform Overshadowed by Gas Prices?

04/25/2006: Today Bush Invited and Discussed with Bi-Partisan Senate Leaders for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

04/25/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Today on Immigration and Economics for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

04/25/2006: "Massive Deportation Unrealistic," Bush Declared in California

04/24/2006: Notice to The Oh Law Firm Clients

04/24/2006: Reignition of Immigration Reform Debate and Current Agenda

04/24/2006: Labor Sustitution Elimination Rule-Making Agenda of DOL and USCIS

04/24/2006: Glimpse of USCIS Agenda for Complete Electronic Filing/Processing/Adjudication of Business Related Petitions/Applications

04/24/2006: Semi-Annual Rule-Making Agenda of Immigration/Visa Agencies

04/22/2006: April 21, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

04/21/2006: Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement Program and Potential Impact/Fallout on Immigration Benefits Adjudications

04/21/2006: Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement or Comprehensive Immigration Reform?

04/20/2006: I-140 Denials on Employer's Financial Ability to Pay and Need for Strategic Planning or Review of Pending Labor Certification Application

4/19/2006: Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Schedule - Thursday, April 27, 2006?

04/18/2006: Bi-Specialization and Reshaping Service Centers Processing Times Report

04/17/2006: CIS Ombudsman Recommends USCIS Director to Issue Multiple-Year EAD

04/16/2006: House Version of Senate DREAM Act Introduced in the House

04/15/2006: Q&A and Request for Readers' Cooperation

 

04/14/2006: State of Nebraska Joined 9 Other States to Grant State Resident Tuition Benefits to Qualified Children of Undocumented Aliens

04/14/2006: PERM "Refiling" and Processing Delays

04/13/2006: USCIS Local District Offices Processing Times of April 13, 2006

04/13/2006: Bi-Specialization Related e-Forms Temporarily Suspended

04/12/2006: Two Days Left for Submission of Comments to DOl on Substitution Elimination Proposed Rule

04/11/2006: April 10, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

04/11/2006: Upcoming Notification of Winners of DV-2007 Immigration Lottery

04/11/2006: USCIS Established New Directorate of National Security & Records Verification

04/11/2006: Clarification of Preadjudication of I-485 Applications During the Period of Retrogression

04/10/2006: USCIS Initiates Preadjudication of I-485 Applications During the Period of Retrogression

04/09/2006: FY 2007 H-1B Cap Count as of 04/03/2006

04/08/2006: Number One Enemy After Shockwave: Anti-Immigrationist vs. Pessimism

04/08/2006: What If Congress Fails to Act on Immigration?

04/07/2006: Aftermath of Senate Defeat

04/07/2006, 11:30 EST: Very Sad Day for All the Immigrants: Senate Failed to Pass Both Frist and Compromise Bills Today!

04/07/2006: May 2006 Visa Bulletin

04/06/2006: Immigration Frauds Growingly Center of political and Agency Concern and Attention

04/06/2006, 3:00 EST: Senate Republicans Agreement Turned Into Bi-Partisan Agreement

04/06/2006: USCIS Has Announced H-2B Cap Reached

04/06/2006: DOL Report of Status of PERM and Backlog Applications Processing as of 03/17/2006

04/06/2006: FY 2007 H-1B Cap Update

04/06/2006 1:00 a.m. EST: Republicans Reportedly Reached Agreement Last Night and Seek Vote Friday

04/05/2006, 8:44 p.m. EST: Republicans and Democrats to Have a Final Showdown over Predural Matter Tomorrow Morning

04/05/2006: Task Forces to Target Immigration Frauds

04/05/2006: Today's Senate Immigration Reform Schedule

04/04/2006: GAO Find Visa Delay's Faults with State Department's Failure to Assess Staff Needs in Different Visa Posts

04/04/2006: No Progress Made on Immigration Reform Bill Votes Today

04/04/2006: Senate Republicans to Consider Three Options Today for Earned Adjustment of Status for Illegal Aliens

04/03/2006: Senate Started Votes Today

04/03/2006: Visa Posts Implement New I-864 (Affidavit of Support) Requirements and Procedures

04/03/2006: USCIS Warns Spoof H-1B Release

04/03/2006: Here I come, San Antonio, Texas

04/03/2006: Who in the EB Group Are Exempt from Numerical Limitation under Specter Bill?

04/02/2006: Frist Wants Immigration Vote This Week

04/02/2006: Pluses and Minuses from Bi-Specialization Program

04/02/2006: Centralized H-1B Filing Procedure and USCIS Advisory on Evidentiary Requirement

04/01/2006: Immigration Monthly Statistical Report of 02/28/2006 for the Statistics at the End of 01/31/2006

03/31/2006: Bush Press Statement After Meeting With President Fox on 03/30/2006

03/31/2006: Full Text of Specter Amendments to Frist Bill

03/31/2006: New I-129 and I-140 Filing Procedure Effective 04/01/2006 and Answers to Some Questions

03/31/2006: Reminder: Do Not Send Out I-129 and I-140 Filing to CSC or TSC From Today

03/31/2006: Federal Register Release: TPS Extensions

03/31/2006: Senators See Immigration Reform Momentum as Debate Moves On

03/30/2006: Senator Durbin's Statement on the Senate Floor in Support of His DREAM Act Sponsorship

03/30/2006: H-2B 2nd Half Target Cap to Reach - 4,936 Workers as of 03/27/2006

03/30/2006: Honduras/Nicaragua TPS Extension Federal Register Notice Scheduled to be Published on 03/31/2006

03/30/2006: Frist Bill First in Senate Debate

03/30/2006: Momentum is Building for Immigration Reform

03/29/2006: Senate Action May Take Two Weeks or More

03/29/2006: Advanced Degree vs Doctoral Degree, and EB Cap Exemption vs Special Immigration Benefits

03/29/2006: Frist Decided to Allow Both Bills to Be Voted

03/29/2006: Senate Judiciary Final Proposal and Employment-Based Immigration

03/29/2006: Outline of Bush Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Cancun Summit Meeting with Canadian & Mexican Leaders

03/29/2006: Senate Floor Schedule Update for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

03/28/2006: Selective Summary of Amendments Adopted as Part of Committee's Passed Bill

03/27/2006: Comments of Members of Judiciary Committee on Passage of Bill in the Committee

03/27/2006: Full Senate Schedule for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

03/27/2006: Judiciary Passed Bill Includes Cap Exempt for Nurses for Seven Years

03/27/2006: Important Advisory for I-140 and I-129 Filing This Week

03/27/2006(5:00 p.m.): Senate Judiciary Committee Passed Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

03/27/2006: Fate of Relief for Illegal Aliens on the Balance of Today's Senate Judiciary Committee Action

03/27/2006: Anticipated Massive H-1B Cap Filing Beginning from April 1 and Potential Waste of Cap Numbers

03/26/2006: Iraq War and Immigration Reform - Two Wild Cards in November 2006 Election Politics

03/25/2006: Selective AAO Appeal Processing Times 03/23/2006

 Form Case Type Processing Times
 I-140 (EB-1A) Extraordinary Worker 6 Mos
I-140 (EB-1B) Outstanding Researcher c
I-140 (EB-1C) Multi-nat'l Exec/Mgr c
 I-140 (EB-2) (D) NIW c
 I-140 (EB-3 & EW) Skilled/Unskilled Worker 15 Mos
 I-129 (H-1B) Professional Worker 13 Mos
 I-129 (L) Intra-company Transfer 15 Mos
 I-129 (H-2)(H-3) Temporary Worker/Trainee c
 I-129 (O) Extraordinary Worker c
 I-129 (P) Artist/Athlete/Entertain c
 I-360 (R) Religious Worker Imm c
 I-360 (VAWA) Violence Against Woman c

03/24/2006: Bush Meets Fox in Mexico March 30 and 31, 2006

03/24/2006: I-129 and I-140 Mailing Address vs. Processing Agency

03/24/2006: Wow, USCIS Released Bi-Specialization and I-129/I-140 Filing Changes for Employers!

03/24/2006: USCIS Issues FY 2007 H-1B Filing Guideline Effective April 1, 2006

03/24/2006: USCIS Requested OMB Approval on 03/24/2006 for Extension of TPS Designation for Nicaragua & Automatic Extension of EAD

03/24/2006: USCIS Requested OMB Approval on 03/23/2006 for Extension of TPS Designation for Honduras & Automatic Extension of EAD

03/24/2006: 15,000 I-140/I-485 Cases Under Transfer From CSC to TSC

03/24/2006: Controversy Surrounding Per Country Limit Provision in the Senate Immigration Reform Bills

03/23/2006: One Child Policy & Forced Sterilization in China and New Political Asylum Ruling, Interim Decision #3530 (BIA March 23, 2006)

03/23/2006: Bush Steps Forward to Influence Anticipated Vicious Duel in the Senate Monday

03/23/2006: When Will the USCIS Disclose the Details of Its Transformation Program?

03/22/2006: How to Read Codes in Biometric Appointment Notices from USCIS

03/21/2006: DOL Procedures to Request Duplicate Labor Certification (ETA 750 and ETA 9089): FAQ Round 8

03/21/2006: Service Centers March 20, 2006 Processing Times

03/20/2006: Fierce Battle Brews Over Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Difficult Road Ahead

03/19/2006: Frist Statement in Introducing Title IV, Backlog Reduction Part of His Bill

 

03/18/2006: FY 2006 H-2B Cap Count Balance as of 03/13/2006: 11,399

03/18/2006: Visas Mantis Visa Securance Clearance Validity Period

03/17/2006: USCIS Issued Sample H-2B Attestation Form for Cap-Exempt Returning H-2B Hiring Employer

03/17/2006: Frist Bill, Judiciary Committee Bill, and Temporary Guest Worker Program/Earned Adjustment Program

03/17/2006: Section-by-Section Summary by Bill Frist Himself

03/17/2006: Summary of Frist Bill Title IV: Backlog Reduction & Visas for Students, Medical Providers, and Aliens with Advanced Degrees:

Family-Sponsored Immigrants:

*Worldwide Level of Family-Sponsored Immigrants, equal to the sum of--
(1) 480,000;
(2) the difference between the maximum number of visas authorized to be issued under this subsection during the previous fiscal year and the number of visas issued during the previous fiscal year;
(3) the difference between--
`(A) the maximum number of visas authorized to be issued under this subsection during fiscal years 2001 through 2005 minus the number of visas issued under this subsection during those fiscal years; and
`(B) the number of visas calculated under subparagraph (A) that were issued after fiscal year 2005.'.

(b) Employment-Based Immigrants:

Worldwide Level of Employment-Based Immigrants,

(1) Equal to the sum of--

`(A) 290,000;
`(B) Recapture: the difference between the maximum number of visas authorized to be issued under this subsection during the previous fiscal year and the number of visas issued during the previous fiscal year; and
`(C) Recapture: the difference between--

`(i) the maximum number of visas authorized to be issued under this subsection during fiscal years 2001 through 2005 and the number of visa numbers issued under this subsection during those fiscal years; and
`(ii) the number of visas calculated under clause (i) that were issued after fiscal year 2005.

(2) Visas for Spouses and Children - Immigrant visas issued on or after October 1, 2004, to spouses and children of employment-based immigrants shall not be counted against the numerical limitation set forth in paragraph (1).

Country Limit: 10 % (in the case of a single foreign state) or 5 percent.

Allocation of Immigrant Visas:

Family-Based Preference System:

(1) FB-1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 10% of of worldwide level
(2) FB-2: Spouses and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Resident Aliens-

(A) In General- Visas in a quantity not to exceed 50 percent of such worldwide level plus any visas not required for the class specified in paragraph (1) shall be allocated to qualified immigrants who are--
(i) the spouses or children of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or
(ii) the unmarried sons or daughters of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
(B) Minimum Percentage- Visas allocated to individuals described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall constitute not less than 77 percent of the visas allocated under this paragraph.

(3) FB-3: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens-

(A) 10 percent of such worldwide level; and
(B) any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2).

(4) Brothers and Sisters of Citizensh- Not to exceed 30 percent of the worldwide level.

Employment-Based Immigrants-

(1) EB-1: 15%

(2) EB-2: 15%

(3) EB-3 (Skilled Worker & Professional): 35%

(4) Other Workers (Unskilled Worker): not to exceed 30 % of such worldwide level, plus any visa numbers not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) through (4), to qualified immigrants who are capable, at the time of petitioning for classification under this paragraph, of performing unskilled labor that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are determined to be unavailable in the United States

(5) EB-4 (formerly EB-5): 5%

Repeal of NACARA

Visas for Advanced Degree Holders:

(a) Aliens With Certain Advanced Degrees Not Subject to Numerical Limitations on Employment Based Immigrants-

Aliens who have earned an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, or math and have been working in a related field in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa during the 3-year period preceding their application for an immigrant visa under section 203(b).
Aliens of EB-11 (Extraordinary Worker) and EB-12 (Outstanding Researcher)
Aliens who have received a national interest waiver under section 203(b)(2)(B).

(b) Spouse and minor children of an alien who is admitted as an employment-based immigrant under section 203(b) are not subject to numerical limitation.

(c) Effective date: The foregoing numerical limitation exemption provision will apply to any visa application--(1)pending on the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) filed on or after such date of enactment.

 

H-1B Numbers: 115,000 in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this clause; and if the cap is reached during a given fiscal year, the numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(A)(ix) for the subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to 120 percent of the numerical limitation of the given fiscal year; and the cap is not reached during a given fiscal year, the numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(A)(ix) for the subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to the numerical limitation of the given fiscal year.'.

Effective date of H-1B annual cap change: Apply to any visa application--(1) pending on the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) filed on or after such date of enactment.

International Medical Graduates' J-1 Waiver Program: Available permanently.

PACE Act Immigration Provisions Incorporated.

03/17/2006: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Introduced to the Senate His Bill Yesterday, 03/16/2006

03/16/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote on March 27, 2006

03/16/2006: More Scientific Backup of IPC Report

03/16/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Update - Promising News

03/16/2006: DOS Predicts Retrogression of Schedule A Visa (EX) Numbers in First Quarter of FY 2007 (10/01/06-12/31/06)

03/16/2006: Tension and Friction Building Between Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist

03/16/2006: Immigration Policy Center Reports Foreign Workers Increased and Not Lowered Native-Born Workers Wages

03/15/2006: Possible Full Senate Debate Mark-Up Beginning From March 20, 2006 (Retracted)

03/15/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Update: Additional Mark-Up Friday, 03/17/2006

 

03/14/2006: E-Mail Problem For Ohlaw@Immigration-Law.Com

03/13/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Update

03/12/2006: FY 2007 Cap H-1B Filing Beginning From 04/01/2006 and Plea to the U.S. Earned Applicants

03/12/2006: Comprehensive Immigration Reform: EB-2 vs. EB-3: Time to Consider Filing of Concurrent EB-2 and EB-3 I-140 Petitions?

03/11/2006: Will Nurses and Physical Therapists be Exempted from Employment-Based/Per Country Immigrant Visa Limit?

03/11/2006: Sen. Sam Brownback (KS) Upbeat About Passage of IMG J-1 Waiver Program Permanent

03/11/2006: USCIS Local District Offices Processing Times March 10, 2006

03/10/2006: GAO Study and Recommendation on Immigration Benefits Frauds

03/10/2006: State Department Changes Rules on Earliest Issuance/Admission Dates for F,M, and J Visas

03/10/2006: April 2006 Visa Bulletin

03/10/2006: AILA Reports of Some Headway of Senate Judiciary Commttee Immigration Reform Legislation

03/10/2006: Senate Judiciary Committee Adopted Removal of Sunset for J-1 Waiver Profram for Foreign Medical Doctors

03/10/2006: DHS Inspector General Reports Vulnerabilities and Potential Abuses of L-1Visa Program

03/10/2006: Top 5 Approved L-1B and L-1A Source Countries in FY 2005

03/10/2006: EOIR Initiates Automated Telephone Case Status Check System

03/10/2006: Latest Immigration Statistics as Published on January 27, 2006

03/10/2006: USCIS March 2006 Newsletter "Today"

03/09/2006: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Update

03/09/2006: Serious Flaw of 45-day Validity of Labor Certification under Proposed Substitution Elimination Rule

03/08/2006: Full Senate Judiciary Committee at 09:30 a.m. Today Scheduled to Consider Pending Immigration Reform Legislation.

03/08/2006: USCIS Implements 2006 New Poverty Guideline of HHS Effective March 1, 2006

03/07/2006: March 7, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

03/04/2006: Interesting Consular Visa Denial Statistics by Type of Grounds in FY 2005

03/04/2006: Approaching Deadline of Comment Period for Labor Substitution Elimination Proposed Rule

03/03/2006: Deeply Divided Senate Judiciary Committee on Illegal Immigrant Relief

03/02/2006: New Dawn and Opening of New Chapter for Immigration Reform in the Country Today

03/01/2006: Western State Governors Adopted 2006 Policy Strongly Supporting Employment-Based Immigration Reform

02/28/2006: Unavailable "Certified" Labor Certification, USCIS Duplicate Request, and Concurrent I-140/I-485 Filing

02/28/2006: Western State Governors to Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform

02/24/2006: Sen. Arlen Specter's "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" Draft

02/23/2006: DOL Released FAQ Round 7

02/23/2006: DOL Released FAQ Round 6

02/23/2006: February 22, 2006 Service Centers Processing Time

02/23/2006: USCIS Announces TPS Extension for El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua

02/22/2006: HHS 2006 Poverty Guidelines

02/20/2006: PERM System Still Down Making People Nervous and Concerned

02/17/2006: Senate Judiciary to Table Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

02/17/2006: Curious George Wonders What Menu DOL Is Scheduled to Cook This Weekend!

02/16/2006: USCIS Local District Offices Processing Times of February 15, 2006

02/16/2006: GAO Recommends Sharing of Alien Social Security Data Among SSA-IRS-DHS to Prevent and Detect Illegal Employment

02/16/2006: DOL Website to Go Down from 7:00 p.m. Tomorrow to 8:00 p.m. Saturday

02/15/2006: DOL Target Date of Backlog Elimination - September 30, 2007

02/15/2006: USCIS Revised Adjudicators' Field Manual on Schedule A Labor Certification Cases Effective 02/14/2006

02/14/2006: Last Minute Substitution of Labor Certification and Two Caveats on USCIS Policy Changes

02/13/2006: DOL Released Proposed Substitution Elimination Rule

02/12/2006: Prohibition of Employer From Receiving Any Payment of Any Kind From Any Source Under Proposed Regulation

02/12/2006: Questions of Substitutions Not Affected by the Forthcoming Substitution Elimination Regulation

02/11/2006: February 2006 USCIS Today Newsletter

02/10/2006: DOL to Publish Substitution Elimination Proposed Rule on February 13, 2006, Monday

02/10/2006: S. 2198 Legislative Bill to Ensure the Best and Brightest Remain the U.S.

02/09/2006: March 2006 Visa Bulletin

02/09/2006: Dallas Backlog Elimination Center Very Helpful

02/09/2006: EAD/AP For Transferred 485: Confusion, Confusion, Confusion!!

02/09/2006: PERM Labor Certification Latest FAQ Access Problem

02/08/2006: February 8, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

02/07/2006: Visa Retrogression and Importance of Good Management of Contact Information and Communication with Counsels

02/07/2006: DOL BEC - Picking-Up Pace of Adjudication

02/07/2006: Serious H-1B Cap Problem and Mounting Political Pressure on Congress for Solutions

02/06/2006: DHS FY 2007 Proposed Budget and Immigration Priorities

02/05/2006: DOL Resummitted and Obtained OMB Clearance of Proposed Labor Substitution Elimination Regulation on 02/02/2006

02/05/2006: Results of Pilot Immigration Filings/Adjudications in California Service Center, New York District Office, and Dallas District Office

02/05/2006: Latest Immigration Monthly Statistics as Published 12/29/2005

02/04/2006: Quite Beltway for Immigration News

02/02/2006: New Delhi Website Report of Priority Dates Incites Confusion, Jubilence, and Disappointment

01/30/2006: Sign of Growing Temporary or Permanent Repatriation of Indian-Origin Permanent Residents and U.S. Citizens in the U.S.

01/29/2006: Amidst Heating-Up Pro and Con Immigration Reform, the Fate of Upcoming Extension of TPS Reportedly in Debate

01/28/2006: What Does New Prediction Mean for Visa Movement?

01/27/2006: DOL FY 2006 Temporary/Permanent Labor Certification Funding for Each State

01/26/2006: Good News for Visa Movement

01/26/2006: BEC Accepts Request for BEC Case Amendment for PERM Re-Filing

01/25/2006: Top 10 Countries That Sent EB-Immigrants to the U.S. in FY 2005 by Category

01/24/2006: January 24, 2006 Service Centers Processing Times

01/24/2006: January 24, 2006 USCIS Local District Processing Times

01/24/2006: USCIS Will Not Adjudicate Family Members "in Group" in Naturalization Processing Unless Requested

01/24/2006: DOL Guidance on Funding for FY 2006 SWAs Labor Certification Support Services

01/24/2006: AILA Reports Push-Back of Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Debate Schedules

01/24/2006: Senate May Table Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bills As Early As February 2, Thursday

01/24/2006: DOL National Foreign Labor Certification Changes its Web Site Address

01/24/2006: Bush Reiterates Support for Foreign Workers and Guest Worker Program

01/22/2006: The Origin of Foreign Students in 2005

01/21/2006: Republican National Committee Resolution: Support Legal Immigration & Guest Worker Program, Oppose Legalization

01/18/2006: U.S. Master Degree H-1B Cap Reached 01/17/2006

01/18/2006: Validity of I-485 Medical Exam Report Extension Until January 1, 2007

01/18/2006: Multiple Pending PERM Applications by Same Employer for Same Employee: Deadline for Withdrawal

01/15/2006: REAL ID Act and Identity Theft Fallouts

01/13/2006: U.S. Master Degree H-1B Cap Reach Imminent

01/13/2006: Immigration Policy Center Emphasizes Right Focus for "Comprehensive" Immigration Reform Debate and Legislation

01/12/2006: State Department Cable on Validity of F,M Student Visa After 5 Months of Break of Studies

01/12/2006: New Interim Chief of Division of Foreign Labor Certification

01/11/2006: February 2006 Visa Bulletin

01/11/2006: RIR Conversion Still Available for BEC Regular Labor Certification Application Cases

01/10/2006: USCIS Memorandum of Guidance on E-3 COS/EOS Within the U.S.

01/09/2006: USCIS Monthly Newsletter, January 2006 "TODAY"

01/07/2006: Reminder of State Department Prediction for Pace of EB-Visa Number Movement this FY

01/07/2006: Reminder of Upcoming Potential EB-2 Cutoff Dates for Worldwide Category

01/07/2006: January 6, 2006 Vermont, Texas, Nebraska, & California Service Centers Processing Times

01/07/2006: U.S. Master Degree H-1B Numbers for FY 2006 Quickly Running Out

01/06/2006: USCIS Announces Procedure for Change of Status to the New E-3 for the Australian Professionals

01/06/2006: Homeland Security Department Introduces New Leaders for USCIS and Immigration Enforcement Directorates

01/05/2006: Refiling Needed for Erroneous Rejection of PERM-Based I-140 Petitions by VSC

01/03/2006: New USCIS Director, Emilio Gonzalez, Takes Office

01/03/2006: USCIS AAO Appeal Processing Times of 12/28/2005

12/31/2005: FY 2006 U.S. Master Degree H-1B Cap

12/30/2005: USCIS Plan for Electronic Filing of Employment-Based Petitions/Applications in 2006 and Proposed New e-Forms

 

12/26/2005: Federal Courts Criticize Immigration Judges of Handling of Asylum Cases

12/25/2005: Multiple Applications for "PERM" Filers (Revised)

12/24/2005: Illegal Immigration Control and Increasing Legislative Focus on Employer Sanctions: "Illegal" Immigration Issue

12/23/2005: Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bills and Employment-Based Immigrant Quota Reform: "Legal" Immigration Issue

[09/14/2005: Legislative Solutions to Horrible EB Immigrant Visa Number Problem Demand All-Out Community Action]

"08/18/2005: EB-3 Visa Number Problem and Likely Relief by Pending Immigration Reform Bills

12/23/2005: H-1B Recapture Policies of Nebraska Service Center

12/23/2005: Emilio Gonzalez, New USCIS Director, Effective 01/03/2006

12/21/2005: Upcoming Advanced Q&A Topics

12/21/2005: GAO Reports that USCIS Needs Improvements to Address Backlogs and Ensure Quality of Adjudications

12/21/2005: DOL New Policy on Multiple Labor Certification Applications for Same Employee

12/20/2005: Service Centers Processing Times of 12-20-2005

12/20/2005: Q&A Schedules

  • Please be advised that we will not take e-mail questions during the office hours. People should send questions in the evening after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (New York). We will accomodate as many questions answered in the evening either via e-mail or our Q&A site.
  • 12/19/2005: Visa Retrogression and Q&A to Retart

    12/19/2005: Senate Agreed to Debate the Conference Report by Large Majority

    12/19/2005: Still Trembling from the S. 1932 Shock Wave

    12/19/2005: AILA Has Confirmed that Conference Report Did Not Include 8001

    12/19/2005: S. 1932 - Please Calm Down Until Officially Confirmed

    12/19/2005: House Passed S. 1932 Last Night (Retracted)

    12/19/2005: This Site is Experiencing Technical Problem. Please be Patient.

    12/18/2005: S. 1932 Voting Schedules

    12/18/2005 (4:45 p.m. EST): House and Senate Schedules Today and S. 1932

    12/18/2005: Rep. Lamar Smith Contact

    12/17/2005: S. 1932 Information is Still Unofficial and Immigrant Community May Continue their Efforts

    12/17/2005: Both Houses May Pass S. 1932 Without Immigration Packet Tomorrow

    12/17/2005: House Instructions to Conferees Which Were Adopted Last Night

    12/17/2005: House Passed "Egregious" H.R. 4437 Last Night, but Senate Action Needed Next Year

    12/17/2005: House and Senate Will Be in Session Today (Saturday)

    12/16/2005: House Appointed S. 1932 Conferees

    12/16/2005: Status of NBC & Local District Office Case Transfers to California Service Center and Important Reminder

    12/16/2005: USCIS Announced First Half FY H-2B Cap Reached

    12/16/2005: New York USCIS Offices to Remain Open During the New York Transit Strike

    12/16/2005: Senate Appointed Conference Conferees

    12/16/2005: Interesting U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Facts Released by USCIS

    12/15/2005: S. 1932 Compromise Process Expected to be Completed within This Week

    12/15/2005: Senate S. 1932 Immigration Packet Practically "Dead"

    12/14/2005: Senate S. 1932 Conferee Instructions Debate and Agreements

    12/14/2005: Uncertainty of the Fate of Immigration Packet in Senate Instructions to S. 1932 Conferees

    12/13/2005: Senate Floor to Debate Instructions to S.1932 Conferees Tomorrow

    12/13/2005: Under Secretary of Commerce Emphasizes Importance of Foreign Scientists/Engineers for U.S. Technical Leadership

    12/12/2005: Distinguished Senators and Representatives of the House

    12/12/2005: Effect of Expiration of "Paroled" I-94 on Pending I-485 Eligibility

    12/11/2005: DHS Inspector General Report Recommending Improvement in USCIS Security Check Management System for Security and Backlog Reduction

    12/11/2005: H-1B Recapture of Overseas Trip Time and 7th Year H-1B Extension Pending Labor Certification

    12/10/2005: House Speaker Comment on Pending S. 1932

    12/10/2005: Computer Glitch Issued Green Cards with Wrong Start Dates and USCIS is Recalling and Reissuing the Cards

    12/10/2005: USCIS Reportedly to Release Policy Memo on "Equivalent Education Degree" Issue Soon

    12/10/2005: USCIS Accepts Latest "One-Year" Tax Return (Not Three Years) for Affidavit of Support I-864 Supporting Documentation

    12/09/2005: January 2006 Visa Bulletin

    12/09/2005: Immigration Community Website Links in "Yellow Index" Frame of Our Home Page

    12/09/2005: USCIS Corrects the EAD Filing Jurisdictions

    12/09/2005: Quickly Exhausting FY 2006 U.S. Master Degree Cap Numbers Poses a Serious Challenge to U.S. Employers

    12/08/2005: USCIS Updated Service Centers/District Offices Processing Times of 12/08/2005

    12/08/2005: H-1B Cap Counts Are Frequently Updated by USCIS

    12/08/2005: DOL Notice of Special Procedures for Permanent Labor Certification Cases Affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma

    12/07/2005: Ongoing Negotiation on S.1932 by Legislative Leaders