Immigration News

• More Information from USCIS Regarding Security Check Changes (12/07)
  In a December 2007 meeting with AILA and other organizations, DHS Secretary Chertoff indicated that USCIS and the FBI are changing parts of the name check process, with the expected result that a large proportion of the backlog should be cleared by June 2008.


• The Department of State Announces Diversity Visa Lottery Results for FY 2008 (12/07)
  The Department of State announced that the winners of DV-2008 diversity lottery have been registered and notified. The announcement provides a statistical breakdown of the lottery winners by foreign state chargeability. Please go to the Department of State website at www.dos.gov for further information.


• DHS Issues Reminder of New Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Requirements in 2008 (12/07)
  On December 3, 2007, DHS issued a reminder that beginning on January 31, 2008, adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship and proof of identity when entering the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry.


• Change in Communication with Immigrant Visa Section of Ciudad Juarez Consulate (12/07)
  In November 2007 the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez has advised persons that it is temporarily deactivating the e-mail query option for the IV section while it is working on its backlog. Instead, they are using the 1-900 number call center as a triage.


• 13 US Governors urge Congress to increase H-1B visas (9/07)
  A letter from thirteen U.S. governors to leaders of the House and Senate urging Congressional action this year to increase the availability of H1-B visas, and permanent resident visas in order to meet their states’ immediate need to recruit and retain a skilled workforce in key sectors.


• Court stops implementation of DHS rules on SSA “No-Match” letters.
  In a suit brought by AFL-CIO, ACLU and NILC, a U.S. District Court in California temporarily restrained DHS from implementing its regulation regarding Social Security no-match letters. AFL-CIO v. Chertoff, No. 07-4472 (N.D.Cal. 8/31/07).


• SSA and Law Enforcement Agencies Co-operate (March 2007)
  SSA published a notice of a renewal computer matching program that SSA will conduct with Law Enforcement Agencies (LA), expected to begin 4/9/07. The purpose of the program is to establish conditions under which Law Enforcement Agencies will disclose fugitive felon and parole or probation violator information to the SSA. (72 FR 9374, 3/1/07).