Articles Posted in Immigration News

Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson announced (June 24, 2014) that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Leon Rodriguez as the new Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Leon Rodriguez was the Director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prior to his appointment. Director Rodriguez will be replacing Alejandro Mayorkas who served as the Director of USCIS from August 12, 2009 – December 23, 2013.

Lori Scialabba, who was appointed by President Obama as Acting Director of USCIS on Dec. 23, 2013, has filled the position until now. She served as Deputy Director of USCIS before that.

We here at MVP Law Group would like to congratulate Director Leon Rodriguez and wish him great success at USCIS.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2014 statistics (third quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2014 statistics (third quarter) cover April 2014 through June 2014.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2014 (third quarter)

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2014 statistics (second quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2014 statistics (Second quarter) cover January 2014 through March 2014.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2014 (second quarter)

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 6/3/14 with processing dates as of 4/30/14.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center (CSC)

President Obama has reportedly told the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jeh Johnson to continue the review of his department’s deportation policies! The President has instructed him to delay the release of the report until after Congress takes its August recess. The White House is concerned that the Republican controlled House would not act on any Immigration Reform legislation if the President tries to act on his own, using his Executive Authority. At least it looks like Immigration Reform still has a chance in this Congress or at least a compromised version.

For more detailed information, review the news articles linked below.

Source of Information:

Each year, people from all over the world come to the United States in search of protection because they have experienced oppression or fear that they will suffer oppression due to religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.

There is no limit placed on the number of immigrants who can receive asylum in the US. Anyone can apply for asylum regardless of their immigration status. However, he/she must ask for asylum at their port of entry or apply within one year of coming to the United States.

In order to apply, one must file an I-589 form with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). A case is conducted, including taking biometrics, as well as an interview with an Asylum Officer. In some cases, the officer will refer this case to a hearing with an Immigration Judge. During the hearing, applicants must present physical evidence, provide witnesses and document conditions in their home country to prove they were persecuted at home or would be if they went back. The Immigration Judge will make the decision whether or not to grant asylum. Once asylum is granted, the person(s) can live and work in the United States for the remainder of their lives. After one year of being in “Asylee Status,” he/she can submit an application for a Green Card and ultimately United States citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement proposing two new rules aimed at attracting and retaining highly skilled workers. Comments on the proposed rules are due by July 11, 2014.

Rule #1 (Extend employment authorization to spouses of certain H-1B workers)

The first rule would grant employment authorization to the spouses of certain H-1B holders.

One of the best ways of keeping current with the latest news and announcements from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is to follow them using a tablet or a smartphone. You can now follow USCIS on Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook follow them at http://www.facebook.com/uscis and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@uscis. Their social media sites include official USCIS information and articles that they feel are relevant to U.S. immigration.

They often include more photos then on their official web site. I especially like their monthly posts showing photos of immigrants becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, called #newUScitizen.

Source of Information & related links:

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 5/1/14 with processing dates as of 3/31/14.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center (CSC)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has released the Statistical Chart, “Asylum Statistics” for FY2009-2013 as part of “Frequently Requested FOIA* Records”. This statistical chart is made up of six tables. The first table is a summary by fiscal year and the other five tables are for each fiscal year listed individually by nationality. Each of these tables’ lists six statistical headings for each table; Received, Granted, Denied, Abandoned, Withdrawn and Other. Please review the link to the Chart, “Asylum Statistics” listed below for the details.

Every year people come to the United States seeking Asylum protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution on account of: Race, Religion, Nationality, Membership and/ or Political View. Asylum is the protection provided under our existing immigration laws. For more details please review the USCIS’s web page on Asylum.

The mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to judge immigration cases. EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.