Your Source for Updates on U.S. Immigration Laws and News
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on intercountry adoptions. This FAQ is related to questions regarding the new Hague intercountry adoption process and the orphan adoption process since the implementation of the Hague Adoption Convention on April 1, 2008. To read the new USCIS FAQ on intercountry adoptions, please visit THIS LINK.
Online registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program (DV 2010) has begun. Applicants can register for the program on the State Department web site from October 2, 2008 until December 1, 2008. To register for the DV Lottery, please go to THIS LINK.
The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
You can get additional information on the Diversity Visa program at THIS LINK.
The U.S. House and Senate passed a bill to extend the religious worker program until March 6, 2009. The program was set to expire at the end of this month. The bill now awaits the President’s signature.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras The extension will make those who have already been granted TPS eligible to reregister and maintain their status for an additional 18 months. To get more information on how to apply, when to apply and what immigration forms to use, please read the USCIS press release at THIS LINK.
The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article on how the U.S. economic downturn, along with increased raids against illegal immigrants, has slowed down immigration to the U.S. To read the article, please go to THIS LINK.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) announced publication of a Federal Register Notice that expands the Direct Mail program to include Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The notice advises the public to file non-military N-400 applications with the appropriate Lockbox and provides a 30-day transition period whereby the Service Centers will forward any N-400 applications received at their facilities to the appropriate Lockbox. Applicants should continue to file Military N-400 cases at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC).
Beginning on October 14, 2008, applicants must submit Form N-400 and related supplements to one of two new USCIS Lockbox facilities for initial processing, using the following addresses.
If You Reside In:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Territory of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
File N-400 with:
USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
P.O. Box 21251
Phoenix, AZ 85036
Private Courier (non-USPS)
USCIS, Attn: N400
1820 E Skyharbor Circle
S. Floor 1, Phoenix, AZ 85036
If You Reside In:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands.
File N-400 with:
USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
P.O. Box 299026
Lewisville, TX 75029.
Private Courier (non-USPS)
USCIS, Attn: N400
2501 S. State Hwy 121, Bldg. 4
Lewisville, TX 75067.
USCIS notes that the N-400 form instructions have been updated to reflect the new filing procedures.
If you want to know:
And many other interesting immigration statistics, go read the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)release at THIS LINK.
Immigration is an important national issue. The health of our economy depends on the ability of companies to transfer workers to the U.S. and abroad.
Both Barack Obama and John McCain have said that they support comprehensive immigration reform. As the election nears, it will be important for readers to know where the two men stand on immigration.
To read Senator Obama’s immigration policy, go to THIS LINK.
To read Senator McCain’s, go to THIS LINK.
Senator Obama also recently answered a candidate’s questionnaire on immigration. It is posted on the American Immigration Lawyers Web Site at THIS LINK.
Stay informed. The choice of President could impact the future of immigration in this country.
A U.S. Federal Appeals Court upheld an Arizona law that revokes an employers license to do business in that state if they hire illegal workers. To read the entire article on this topic, go to THIS LINK.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed federal criminal search warrants at two Chinese restaurants n Sacramento, California and two homes linked to the businesses’ owners as part of an ongoing ICE investigation into possible hiring and alien harboring violations. Twenty one undocumented workers were arrested. To read the entire ICE press release, go to THIS LINK.