Green Card DV 2014 Lottery registration period to open on October 2, 2012.

DV 2014 Program: Online registration for the DV-2014 Program will begin on
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12:00 noon (EDT) (GMT-4), and conclude on Saturday,
November 3, 2012 at 12:00 noon (EDT) (GMT-4).

See the Diversity Visa Program Instructions webpage for the DV 2014 Instructions
at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html

and

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DV_2014_Instructions.pdf

For DV-2014, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply
because the countries sent a total of more than
50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years:

BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN,
PERU, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its
dependent territories, and VIETNAM.

Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

** Changes in eligibility this year:
FOR DV-2014, NATIVES OF GUATEMALA ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION.

If you require assistance with registering for DV Lottery, please email us at
Attorney@law-visa-usa.com .

Affidavit of Support, I-864, held enforceable even if an ex-wife is not looking for a job - a sponsored immigrant has no duty to mitigate.

An interesting case from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. It was held that an immigrant, who was sponsored under the federal poverty guidelines and the I-864 Affidavit of Support was submitted to the DHS/USCIS, does not have a duty to mitigate (seek employment, apply for jobs), and her american ex-husband has a duty to support her after divorce at 125% federal poverty guidelines.

Timothy Mund, an American, married Wenfang Liu, a Chinese woman 19 years his junior, in China. Two years later the couple decided
to move to the United States. For Liu to be admitted as
a permanent  resident on the basis of her marriage to
an American, her husband had to sign an “I-864 affidavit,”
agreeing to support  his  wife  at 125 percent of the
poverty level (approximately $13,500 a year).

After divorce, ex-husband refused to provide the  support  specified in the federal  affidavit,  on the ground that his ex-wife wasn’t looking for work.  So she filed the present suit, in federal district court  in Wisconsin, seeking that  support  and contending that failure to mitigate damages is not a defense to the support obligation created by the affidavit. ... The district judge held that Liu was not  entitled to support pursuant to the I-864 affidavit during the 160-day period after she had filed her motion for summary judgment, because she hadn’t actively sought work during that period. The finding that she hadn’t sought work is well supported; the only substantial issue presented by  her appeal, and the only one we discuss, is whether in a suit to enforce the obligation of support created by the federal affidavit the plaintiff has a legal duty to mitigate damages. ... In sum, we can’t see much benefit to imposing a duty to mitigate on a sponsored immigrant. ... The judgment of the district court is reversed so far as concerns the court’s imposition of a duty of mitigation, and otherwise is affirmed.

Read case decision at http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/tmp/K315C23H.pdf

O-1 Extraordinary Abilities Visa as an option when H-1B visas are no longer available.

Interesting discussion about O-1 visa. You might be eligible for O-1 extraordinary abilities visa when you don't expect it and when H-1B quota has been filled. You don't necessarily need to be a Nobel Prize winner to obtain an O-1 visa.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-genius-visa-attracts-entrepreneurs-playmates-051239990--sector.html

To schedule a consultation with an attorney to see if you can qualify, please EMAIL us at Attorney@law-visa-usa.com and we will forward you a confidential immigration questionnaire.

Waiver I-601 Centralized Filing for Applicants Abroad Effective Date: June 4, 2012.

Form I-601 Centralized Filing.

Beginning June 4, 2012, individuals abroad who have applied for certain visas and have been found ineligible by a U.S. Consular Officer, will be able to mail requests to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility directly to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Lockbox facility.

This change affects those individuals who are abroad, and have been found inadmissible for an immigrant visa or a nonimmigrant K or V visa, must send their waiver applications.

The change affects filings for:

(1) Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
(2) Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission (3) into the United States After Deportation or Removal
Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, (if filed after a denial of a Form I-601 or Form I-212).

Applicants who mail their waiver request forms should use the address provided in the revised form instructions on the USCIS website. Applicants who wish to receive an email or text message when USCIS has received their waiver request may attach Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, to their application.

During a limited six-month transition period, immigrant visa waiver applicants in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, will have the option to either mail their waiver applications to the USCIS Lockbox in the United States or file in-person at the USCIS office in Ciudad Juarez.

** This change is separate and distinct from the provisional waiver proposal published in the Federal Register on March 30, 2012.**

Read the News Update at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8e5b8976a0a77310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD .

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Hotline Web 866uswomen.org

In 2001, Paula Lucas started Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
with help from a few small contributions from donors. In 2010, the Department of
Justice stepped up with substantial funding. With a toll-free hotline in 175
countries, now supports hundreds of American families in more than 67 countries
with counseling, travel assistance, legal services, and relocation costs. Today,
at least one family returns safely to the United States each month with Lucas's
help.

"We need to make women aware of the obstacles if they find themselves in an
abusive situation," says Lucas, now remarried. "I was one of the lucky ones."
http://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/paula-lucas-international-angel/

To read more about AODVCC, visit www.866uswomen.org


Web: www.866uswomen.org
Email: crisis @ 866uswomen.org
To contact the toll-free crisis line from overseas, first dial your AT&T
USADirect access number and at the prompt, enter our phone number: 866-USWOMEN
(879-6636).
[To find your AT&T USADirect access number, please click here -
http://www.att.com/esupport/traveler.jsp?group=features ]

ICE Detainee Locator System Online: How to find out if a family member or a friend is in ICE custody,

ICE Online Detainee Locator System.

If your family member or a fried is in ICE custody or you are not sure if they
are in ICE custody, you can do search online to find out.

Use this page https://locator.ice.gov/odls/searchByName.do to locate a detainee
who is currently in ICE custody, or who was released from ICE custody for any
reason within the last 60 days.
Note: Online Detainee Locator System cannot search for records of persons under
the age of 18.

(1) Search by A-Number
If you know the detainee's A-Number, ICE recommends you use the A-Number search.
The A-Number must be exactly nine digits long. If the A-Number has fewer than
nine digits, please add zeros at the beginning. You are also required to select
the detainee's correct Country of Birth.

(2) Search by Biographical Information
When searching by name, a detainee's first and last names are required and must
be an exact match (e.g., John Doe will NOT find Jon Doe or John Doe-Smith).
You are also required to select the detainee's Country of Birth. It is optional
to enter the detainee's Date of Birth to further narrow the search. Note that
all value input below are evaluated for exact matches.
Country of birth is required.
First name is required.
Last name is required.


Se puede usar el sistema por "internet" que el ICE tiene para localizar a los
detenidos a nivel nacional.Se puede usar la sistema por "internet" que ICE tiene
-- https://locator.ice.gov/odls/searchByName.do

Es mas facil si se sabe el numero del archivo de Inmigracion para la persona
detenida, el numero que empieza con la letra "A" . Este numero es tambien
conocido como el numero de extranjero. Si no tiene el numero "A", tiene que dar
la informacion biografica del detenido: nombre (s) y apellido (s) de varias
maneras porque es posible que la Inmigracion haya registrado al detenido/a por
sus dos apellidos, o solo con uno, o con "-" entre los apellidos, o con los dos
nombres o un solo nombre.

Provisional Waivers, I-601, Warning from USCIS: how to avoid scam.

On March 30, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouses, children, parents) while those family members are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa to become lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Since the announcement, USCIS has become aware of public misperceptions about the rule-making process and when the provisional unlawful presence waiver process will take effect. To address these issues, USCIS advises:
                       
(1) The Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver is NOT in effect. The provisional unlawful presence waiver will not be available to potential applicants until an effective date is specified in the final rule USCIS will publish later this year in the Federal Register. USCIS has published a notice of proposed rulemaking and will consider all comments received as part of that process before publishing a final rule.

                       
(2) Do not send an application requesting a provisional waiver at this time. USCIS will reject any application requesting a provisional waiver and return the application and any related fees to the applicant. USCIS cannot accept requests for a provisional waiver until the process change takes effect.

                       
(3) Beware of notarios, or other individuals who are not authorized to practice immigration law, who claim they can help you get a provisional waiver. These individuals also may ask you to pay them money upfront to file an application for a provisional waiver. Avoid such scams. Learn to protect yourself and your family against unauthorized practitioners and immigration scams by visiting www.uscis.gov/avoidscams.

                       
(4) If you have been scheduled for your immigrant visa interview with the U.S. Department of State, attend the interview. The Department of State may cancel your immigrant visa registration if you fail to appear for your interview.

A detailed Web page addressing the proposed rule is currently posted to www.uscis.gov/provisionalwaiver.

Prosecutorial discretion stats as of end of March 2012: less than 1 percent of pending cases closed.

A special Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program announced last August to reduce the massive backlog of pending cases in Immigration Courts by identifying those that could be dismissed, closed or put on hold has resulted in the closure of only 2,609 cases, according to government data covering the period up to the end of March 2012.

The backlog reduction is less than one percent (<1%) of the 298,173 cases pending before the Immigration Courts as of the end of last September.

See detailed stats at http://trac.syr.edu/immigration/prosdiscretion/activecourts.html

Q&A: Provisional Waiver, ULP I-601. Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, March 30, 2012.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register outlining its proposal to create an alternative process for filing certain waivers of inadmissibility relating to unlawful presence (I-601 waiver). 

Please note: The alternative process is NOT in effect yet, and will not be available to potential applicants until USCIS publishes a final rule with an effective date in the Federal Register (expected by end of 2012). 

The public is welcome to submit comments to this proposed rule during a 60-day comment period on www.regulations.gov through June 1, 2012. For more information about the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, please visit www.uscis.gov/provisionalwaiver. 

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/04/02/2012-07698/inadmissibility-for-certain-immediate-relatives-provisional-unlawful-presence-waivers 

What the Proposed Process Would Do:

Under the proposed process, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who would need a waiver of unlawful presence in order to obtain an immigrant visa could file a new Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, before leaving the United States to obtain an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. All individuals eligible for this streamlined process are still required to depart the United States and must meet all legal requirements for issuance of an immigrant visa and admission to the United States.

An individual may seek a provisional unlawful presence waiver if he or she:

• Is physically present in the United States;
• Is at least 17 years of age;
• Is the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa petition (I-130) classifying him or her as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen;
• Is actively pursuing the immigrant visa process and has already paid the Department of State immigrant visa processing fee;
• Is not subject to any other grounds of inadmissibility other than unlawful presence; and
• Can demonstrate that the refusal of admission would result in extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent.

An immediate relative would not be eligible for the proposed process if he or she:

• Has an application already pending with USCIS for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident;
• Is subject to a final order of removal or reinstatement of a prior removal order;
• May be found inadmissible at the time of the consular interview for reasons other than unlawful presence; or
• Has already been scheduled for an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Allowing immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to receive provisional waivers in the United States before departure for their immigrant visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate means that:

• Immigrant visa processing times will improve because of greater capacity in the United States and fewer case transfers between USCIS and the Department of State;
• Immigrant visas will be issued without unnecessary delay (if the individual is otherwise eligible); and
• The period of separation and hardship many U.S. citizens would face due to prolonged separation from their family members will be minimized.

Office of Communications 
Questions and Answers 

March 30, 2012 

Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers: Questions & Answers 
Introduction 
The following Q and As explain the proposed provisional unlawful presence waiver process. 

Background 
On March 30, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register requesting public comment on its plan to create an improved process for certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to apply for and receive a provisional waiver of the unlawful presence ground of inadmissibility while still in the United States, if they can demonstrate that being separated from their U.S. citizen spouse or parent would cause that U.S. citizen relative extreme hardship. The goal of the proposed process is to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives while those family members go through the consular process overseas to obtain an immigrant visa. 
Visit our Proposed Provisional Unlawful Presense Waivers webpage for more details. 
Questions and Answers 
Q1. How do I apply for the provisional unlawful presence waiver? 
A1. The provisional waiver process is NOT in effect. USCIS will reject any application requesting a provisional waiver at this time and return the application and any fees filed. The provisional waiver process will only take effect after a final rule is published in the Federal Register with an effective date. 
Q2. How do I comment on this proposed provisional unlawful presence waiver process? 
A2. USCIS encourages the public to submit formal input on the proposed rule through www.regulations.gov during a comment period that runs from April 2, 2012 until June 1, 2012. 
Q3. Why is this proposed waiver process limited to the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who can demonstrate extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent? 
A3. The goal of the provisional unlawful presence waiver process is to alleviate the extreme hardship certain U.S. citizens experience when they are separated for extended periods of time from their spouses, children, and parents (“immediate relatives”). USCIS expects that this new process will streamline the waiver process and reduce the length of time immediate relatives must remain abroad to obtain an immigrant visa. For additional information, see DHS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), section IV, Part B, Rationale for Proposed Change. 
Q4. Will USCIS consider expanding this new process to relatives of lawful permanent residents who have visas that are currently available? 
A4. The agency decided as a matter of policy and operations to make this process available only to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. For additional information, see DHS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM), section IV, Part B, Rationale for Proposed Change. As part of the rulemaking process, you may submit your views and suggestions as formal comments to the NPRM atwww.regulations.gov. 
Q5. Why does USCIS refer to the waiver as “provisional?” 
A5. USCIS refers to the waiver as “provisional” because it will not take effect until after the applicant departs the United States, appears for his or her immigrant visa interview, and is determined by the DOS consular officer to be otherwise admissible to the United States. In the proposed process, USCIS would determine eligibility for the provisional waiver and, if the application is approvable, approve the provisional waiver before the applicant leaves the United States for the immigrant visa interview abroad. 
Q6. Will I have to be fingerprinted or appear for an interview as part of the provisional waiver process? 
A6. All provisional unlawful presence waiver applicants will be required to appear at a USCIS Application Support Center for biometrics collection. Generally, USCIS will not require provisional waiver applicants to appear for an interview but may schedule an interview if the facts in a particular case warrant further inquiry and review. 
Q7. Will I use the current Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Admissibility to apply for a provisional waiver? 
A7. No. USCIS is developing a new form for the proposed provisional unlawful presence waiver process – Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. The application filing fee is $585.00, the same fee required for the Form I-601. There is an additional biometric fee of $85.00 for applicants who are under 79 years of age. USCIS will post the proposed form in the Federal Register for formal comment in the near future. 
Q8. Can I file a fee waiver request for the provisional waiver application? 
A8. No. Fee waivers will not be available for the provisional waiver application fee of $585.00 or the biometrics fee of $85.00. 
Q9. What documents will I be required to file with my application for a provisional unlawful presence waiver? 
A9. USCIS will include instructions with the new Form I-601A that will describe the types of documents you will need to submit with your provisional waiver application. At a minimum, USCIS will require proof that you have an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or an approved Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, if you are a self-petitioning widow/widower, and an immigrant visa application fee receipt from the Department of State (DOS). Failure to follow the instructions on the form or submit required documentation may result in your application being rejected or denied. For more information on proposed rejection criteria, see DHS NPRM section IV, Part E – Filing, Adjudication, and Decisions. 
Q10. Will I be able to file the provisional waiver application concurrently with my Form I-130? 
A10. No. To be eligible for the provisional waiver process, applicants must already have an approved I-130 or I-360. The approved petition is what starts the immigrant visa process with DOS. For more information on eligibility and filing criteria, see DHS NPRM section IV, Parts C through E. 
Q11. Will I be able to file the provisional waiver application concurrently with my Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Removal? 
A11. No. Aliens who must request permission to reenter the United States after removal are not eligible for the provisional unlawful presence waiver. In addition, USCIS will not accept concurrent filings of the Form I-601A and Form I-212 or Form I-130. 
Q12. Will the proposed provisional waiver process affect existing standards for unlawful presence and extreme hardship? 
A12. No. The proposed provisional waiver process will not alter the criteria USCIS will use to determine if an individual qualifies for a waiver of a ground of inadmissibility or if an individual has established the requisite extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent. 
Q13. If I get a provisional waiver, can I adjust my status without leaving the United States? 
A13. No. Individuals who receive a provisional unlawful presence waiver must leave the United States to attend their immigrant visa interview with a DOS consular officer in order for the provisional waiver to take effect and for the individual to be granted an immigrant visa. However, because of the way the proposed process for adjudicating provisional waivers is designed, individuals who receive a provisional waiver will likely be separated from their U.S. citizen relatives for significantly shorter periods than is the case under the current process. 
Q14. I already have an immigrant visa interview scheduled for next month in my home country. Should I cancel it so that I can apply for the provisional unlawful presence waiver when the final rule takes effect? 
A14. No. If you already have an immigrant visa interview scheduled with DOS, we urge you to keep your appointment. This proposed waiver process is not in effect and USCIS will not be publishing a final rule until later this year. If you trigger the unlawful presence bars upon departure from the United States, you may still file a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, after you have appeared for your immigrant visa appointment and DOS has determined that you are inadmissible and need to file a waiver. If you fail to appear for your consular interview, DOS may terminate your immigrant visa registration. 
Q15. I am currently in removal proceedings. Will I be able to apply for a provisional waiver? 
A15. As part of the rulemaking process, DHS is considering how it will address provisional waiver requests from individuals who currently are in removal proceedings. We encourage you to submit your views and suggestions on this topic as formal comments to the NPRM at www.regulations.gov. For more information about eligibility criteria, see DHS NPRM section IV, Parts C and D.
Q16. If I have already filed a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility from outside the United States, will I be able to apply for a provisional waiver? 
A16. No. The proposed provisional waiver process only applies to individuals who are physically present in the United States and have not yet been scheduled for their immigrant visa interview. For more information on eligibility criteria, see DHS NPRM, section IV, Parts C and D. 
Q17. What happens if I am not eligible for a provisional unlawful presence waiver? 
A17. When the new process goes into effect, individuals who are not eligible for the provisional waiver process can continue to follow current agency processes for filing a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, after the consular interview. 
Q18. If I receive an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver, will I be able to work? 
A18. No. Under the proposed rule, the filing or approval of a provisional unlawful presence waiver will not affect an individual’s current immigration status in the United States. A pending or approved provisional waiver also will NOT: 
• Provide interim benefits such as employment authorization or advance parole; 
• 
Provide lawful status; 
• 
Stop the accrual of unlawful presence; 
• 
Provide protection from removal; 
• 
Remove the requirement to depart the United States to seek an immigrant visa; or 
• 
Guarantee visa issuance or admission to the United States. 
Q19. If I apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver but USCIS denies my request, can I appeal the decision or file a motion with USCIS asking for the decision to be reopened or reconsidered? 
A19. No. Aliens seeking a provisional unlawful presence waiver would not be able to file a motion to reopen or motion to reconsider or to appeal a denial of a request for a provisional waiver. Such individuals, however, may still apply for a waiver through the current I-601 waiver process. USCIS also reserves the right to reopen and reconsider on its own motion an approval or a denial at any time. 
Q20. If USCIS denies my request for a provisional unlawful presence waiver will I be placed in removal proceedings? 
A20. For cases where the provisional unlawful presence waiver is denied, USCIS will follow its current Notice to Appear (NTA) policy which prioritizes the types of cases USCIS will focus on for initiation of removal proceedings. For more information on USCIS NTA priorities, see USCIS Policy Memorandum, Revised Guidance for the Referral of Cases and Issuance of Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Cases Involving Inadmissible and Removable Aliens (November 7, 2011). 
Q21. What will happen at the consular interview if I present an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver? 
A21. If the DOS consular officer determines that a provisional waiver applicant, in light of the approved waiver of the unlawful presence bar, is otherwise admissible to the United States and eligible for the immigrant visa, DOS would issue the immigrant visa, allowing the individual to travel to the United States. The provisional unlawful presence waiver would become permanent and cover the periods of unlawful presence on which the waiver was based for any future benefit requests. For more information on the validity a provisional waiver, see DHS NPRM section IV, Part H. 
Q22. What will happen at the consular interview if I present an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver but the consular officer determines I have other grounds of inadmissibility? 
A22. If the consular officer determines that you are subject to other grounds of inadmissibility beyond unlawful presence, the approved provisional waiver is automatically revoked. If a waiver is available for the other ground(s) of inadmissibility identified by the DOS consular officer, you will need to file a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, with USCIS after the consular interview to request a waiver for all applicable grounds of inadmissibility, including any periods of unlawful presence. For more information on revocation of a provisional waiver, see DHS NPRM section IV, Part G. 
Q23. How long will an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver be valid? 
A23. Under the proposed rule, an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver would remain valid as long as the underlying approved immigrant visa petition (I-130 or I-360) is not revoked. If DOS terminates the immigrant visa registration process or the approved immigrant visa petition is revoked, the provisional unlawful presence waiver grant also is automatically revoked. For more information on the terms and conditions for a provisional waiver and periods of validity, see DHS NPRM section IV, Parts G and H. 
Q24. What happens to an approved provisional unlawful presence waiver if I reenter the United States illegally? 
A24. Illegal reentry into the United States after approval of a provisional unlawful presence waiver will automatically revoke the approval. Whether an individual has a pending or an approved immigration benefit application, reentry into the United States without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer at the U.S. border can have severe consequences; such individuals may be permanently barred from the United States.

New in I-601 Adjudications (Waiver of Inadmissibility), Changes coming end of spring - beginning of summer 2012.

On March 9, 2012, the USCIS held the Teleconference addressing new changes in how the USCIS is adjudicating Waivers of Inadmissibility (USCIS Form I-601).

These new changes are different from the announced earlier this year "Conditional Waiver" which is expected to take effect by the end of 2012.

However, procedural changes in adjudication of I-601 are expected to take effect as soon as end of spring - beginning summer 2012.

I've attended the Teleconference, and these are my brief notes.

(1) The filing fee will remain the same, US$585.

(2) Filing location for ALL I-601 will change. There will be one nationwide central filing location - a Lockbox in Phoenix, Arizona. All I-601 filed from within the USA or from abroad will be filed at the Lockbox in Phoenix.

(3) ALL I-601 petitions will be received in Phoenix and forwarded for adjudication to Nebraska (Nebraska Service Center).

(4) Goal is to reduce processing time to no more than 6 months.

(5) An applicant will be able to check case status for a pending I-601 petition online at uscis.gov website. And the USCIS will start publishing I-601 processing times.

(6) Procedures for requesting to expedite processing of the I-601 will remain the same. Military families are one of the examples of people who can request to expedite processing of the I-601 Waiver. (For more details see May 2011 USCIS Memo).

These changes are designed to lead to uniform and fast adjudication of all I-601 waivers. As USCIS reported, there are approximately 23,000 waivers filed every year with USCIS. Often, I-601 can take more than a year. With the new system of adjudication in place, I-601 processing should not take more than 6 months.

If you require assistance with preparing and filing of your Waiver of Inadmissibility (form I-601) or Permission to apply for readmission after Deportation (form I-212), you are welcome to contact our office and to schedule a telephone or Skype consultation. Please email at Attorney@law-visa-usa.com

Note: This information is provided for legal information purposes only and should not be considered a legal advice; it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. For more information or to schedule a consultation please visit http://www.law-visa-usa.com/contact_us.html or email at Attorney @law-visa-usa.com

ICE established a 24/7 Hotline for detainees.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has established a toll-free hotline – (855) 448-6903. 

Detained individuals can call this hotline if they believe they may be U.S. citizens or victims of a crime. The hotline will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by ICE personnel at the Law Enforcement Support Center. 

Translation services will be available in several languages from 7 a.m. to midnight (Eastern). 

ICE personnel will collect information from the individual and refer it to the relevant ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Office for immediate action.

If you are a detained individual and believe you may be a U.S. citizen or a victim of a crime, please call (855) 448-6903.

http://www.ice.gov/detention-reform/toll-free-hotline/

Transmission of the U.S. citizenship to IVF babies born abroad to American mothers and/or fathers.

Some experts are questioning the virtue of current rules on the transmission of U.S. citizenship to IVF babies born to American mothers and/or fathers abroad, ans especially those cases where donor's eggs and sperm have been used.

According to a June 2011 report by the State Department's Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Consular Affairs "is aware that the regulations and laws [relating to the transmission of citizenship through surrogacy] have not kept pace with technology and is working with legal advisers and other agencies to update policies

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/u-s-demands-proof-of-parentage-for-ivf-babies-1.410690 

How much it would cost to deport all undocumented (illegal) immigrants currently living in the U.S.A. - at least US$285 Billion, or $23,480 per person.

Cost of deportation: Deporting all of America's illegal immigrants would cost US$285 Billion.

A year ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deputy director told Congress it costs about $12,500 to deport an undocumented immigrant.

However, a 2010 report by Center for American Progress and Rob Paral and Associates took a close look at all the budget appropriations for ICE and broke down the costs per person for each one of the four stages of deportation process: apprehension, detention, legal proceeding and transportation. The whopping cost of deportation per person that they came up with is $23,480.

The report states that ICE and US Customs and Borders Protection budgets have increased by 80% since 2005, amounting to $17.1 billion in FY2010. If US were to undertake a mass deportation campaign its cost over five years would be $285 billion.

Here is the breakdown of the $23,480 figure:
1. Apprehension: $18,310
2. Detention: $3,355
3. Legal Proceedings: $817
4. Transportation: $1,000.

Read more at http://www.businessinsider.com/deporting-all-of-americas-illegal-immigrants-would-cost-a-whopping-285-billion-2012-1?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bi 

Official statistics by the U.S. Dept of State of rate of B-1/B-2 visa denial worldwide, including Moscow, Russia. Официальная статистика уровня отказа в туристической визе в посольстве США в Москве и по другим странам.

Официальная статистика опубликованная Госдепом США за 2011, 2010 и 2009 года показывает, что процент отказов на гостевые (туристические) визы в московском посольстве США вырос с 4.9% (2009) до 10.1% (2010) до 10.3% (2011).

Интересно отметить, что уровень отказов в Бразилии, которую нередко сравнивают с Россией по темпам экономического роста и размерам, составлял 5.2% в 2010 и 3.8% в 2011 – более, чем в два раза ниже, чем в России.

По сравнению с этим, уровень отказов в гостевой визе на Украине намного выше - 31.8% (в 2010) и 29% (в 2011).

Уровень отказов в гостевой (туристической) визе в странах бывшего Советского Союза и сопредельных государствах остается очень высоким:

Россия - 10.1% (2010) - 10.3% (2011)
Украина - 31.8% (2010) - 29.0% (2011)
Беларусь - 19.7% (2010) - 19.4% (2011)
Казахстан - 9.4% (2010) - 8.3% (2011)
Армения - 51.4% (2010) - 54.5% (2011)
Молдавия - 38.5% (2010) - 44.5% (2011)
Узбекистан - 46.8% (2010) - 50.2% (2011)
Монголия - 37.1% (2010) - 44.5% (2011)
Израель - 6.4% (2010) - 6.9% (2011).

Для перехода на безвизовый режим поездок между странами, уровень отказов должен быть менее 3%. Как показывает статистика, большинству стран до этого ещн далеко.

Избежать отказов не всегда возможно. Но с помощью хорошего иммиграционного адвоката можно постараться преодалеть прошлые отказы, предотвратить ошибки, приводящие к отказам в визе и улучшить свои шансы на успешное получение гостевой или туристической визы в США. Мы будем рады вам помочь. Обращайтесь за помощью по электронной почте. Наши контактные данные указаны на этой странице - http://www.law-visa-usa.com/ru/contact_us.html . 

С официальной статистикой по отказу в американской туристической или гостевой визе во всех странах мира можно ознакомиться по следующим ссылкам:

2011 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY11.pdf

2010 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY10.pdf

2009 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY09.pdf

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Statistics for 2009 and 2010 and 2011 demonstrates that rate of visa denials by the U.S. embassy in Moscow, Russia, has increased from 4.9% to 10.1% in 2010 to 10.3% in 2011. This is twice higher than visa denial rate in the U.S. embassy in Brazil, 5.2% (2010) and 3.8% (2011), for example. In comparison, rate B-1/B-2 visa denials in Ukraine is 31.8% (2010) and 29.0% (2011).

Please see official statistics for B-1/B-2 U.S. visa denial rates for all countries of the world here:

2011 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY11.pdf

2010 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY10.pdf

2009 http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY09.pdf

Practical implementation of Prosecutorial Discretion policy at the Denver Immigration Court.

The New York Times reported that approximately one in six (1 in 6) cases reviewed at the Denver immigration court in a pilot program following the "Prosecutorial Discretion" 2011 USCIS memo may be indefinitely suspended.

Read more at http://immigrationimpact.com/2012/01/20/holding-the-obama-administration-to-its-word-on-prosecutorial-discretion/

President Obama orders speed-up in Visa Processing, to expand Visa Waiver program.

President Obama orders speed-up in Visa Processing.

Read President's Executive Order at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/19/executive-order-establishing-visa-and-foreign-visitor-processing-goals-a

January 19, 2012

Executive Order -- Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness

[...] (i) increase nonimmigrant visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent over the coming year;
(ii) ensure that 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants are interviewed within 3 weeks of receipt of application, recognizing that resource and security considerations and the need to ensure provision of consular services to U.S. citizens may dictate specific exceptions;

(iii) increase efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program and travel by nationals of Visa Waiver Program participants; and

(iv) expand reciprocal recognition programs for expedited travel, such as the Global Entry program. [..]

I-601 Provisional Unlawful Presence ULP Waivers will be adjudicated in USA before a foreign individual's departure abroad for consular processing of his immigrant visa and waiver.

Today, on January 10, 2012, during the conference with the shareholders, the USCIS' representatives had clarified some important moments concerning a new proposed rule dealing with adjudication of the I-601 waivers by USCIS in the United States.

Below are my notes taken during the conference today:

(1) Provisional waivers will be adjudicated by USCIS in USA before an applicant departs the USA for consular processing of an immigrant visa. The primary reason for this change is to try to keep families together and prevent lengthy separation when a foreign national has to wait for a waiver approval abroad; 

(2) ONLY Unlawful Presence (ULP) Waivers will be adjudicated as a provisional waiver under this proposed new rule. Other grounds of inadmissibility will NOT be adjudicated under the I-601 provisional waiver process. If during adjudication of a provisional waiver, USCIS discovers any other inadmissibility grounds, the provisional waiver will not be approved. 

(3) In some circumstances, when an unlawful presence waiver was adjudicated by USCIS and a provisional waiver approved in USA before applicant's departure from USA, other grounds of inadmissibility may be discovered during the visa interview. In this case, a new waiver will be required. 

(4) The existing "Extreme Hardship Standard" for the I-601 waiver will not be changed nor modified by the proposed new rule. Legal standard will remain the same, only procedure will change. 

(5) The new rule will only apply to immediate relatives category (spouses, parents and unmarried children of USC under 21). Currently, it's not proposed that this new rule will apply to preference visa categories (but only to immediate relatives). 

(6) Final rule will be published by the end of 2012 in the Federal Register. 

(7) The USCIS is working closely with the U.S. Department of State on this proposed new rule. 

(8) The USCIS will post all information on their website www.uscis.gov and continue updating it as soon as a rule is available for review and comments.

http://law-visa-usa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6003#6003

Note: This information is provided for legal information purposes only and should not be considered a legal advice; it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. For more information or to schedule a consultation please visit http://www.law-visa-usa.com/contact_us.html or email at Attorney @law-visa-usa.com.    
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NEW PROPOSED REGULATION THAT WOULD PROMOTE FAMILY UNITY BY PERMITTING CERTAIN CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF U.S. CITIZENS TO APPLY FOR WAIVERS OF THE “3/10 YEAR BAR” BEFORE RISKING A TRIP OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES FOR A CONSULAR VISA APPOINTMENT 


WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO NOW: 

WHERE THE U.S. CITIZEN IS PETITIONING FOR HER SPOUSE OR MINOR CHILD, AND WHERE THE SPOUSE OR CHILD MUST LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR THE APPOINTMENT AT THE U.S. CONSULATE. 

(1). U.S. citizen should file an (I-130) visa petition for her spouse and children who are under 21 years of age. It is especially important to do so if the child is over 19 years of age but under 21. It would be best to consult with attorney or an accredited representative before submitting the visa petition. 

(2). Once the petition is submitted, the citizen should consult with an immigration attorney or an accredited representative of a non-profit agency (if she has not done so previously) on what other steps to take. The family should not take any further steps without consulting the attorney. In many cases the attorney or an accredited representative will recommend that family member continue the consular processing procedures, but will not go to their appointment at the Consulate until CIS has implemented the new proposed regulation. For example, the undocumented spouse will file the waiver here in the U.S. with CIS. He will not leave the U.S. until and unless CIS approves the waiver. 


SAME SITUATION EXCEPT THAT THE PERSON IS A LEGAL RESIDENT AND NOT A CITIZEN. 

(1). The spouse or parent should apply for U.S. citizenship. Once she is a citizen, her undocumented immigrant spouse or child will qualify to benefit under the proposed regulation once it is implemented. 

NOTE: It will not be necessary to take these steps if the undocumented spouse or child has the “grandfathering” protection of 245(i) because then s/he will be able to adjust his/her status in the U.S. and will not be subject to the 3/10 year bar. 

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In Russian:

Новый иммиграционный закон: Условные вэйверы (USCIS Unlawful Presence Waiver I-601) помогающие преодолеть 3-х и 10-ти летний запрет на въезд в США и получение вида на жительство (грин карты).

Несколько дней назад в январе 2012г. Иммиграционная Служба США опубликовала официальное сообщение о намерении изменить порядок получения вэйверов (USCIS Unlawful Presence Waiver I-601) помогающие преодолеть 3-х и 10-ти летний запрет на въезд в США и получение вида на жительство. Иммиграционная служба разрабатывает новый закон, который будет опубликован к концу календарного 2012 года. Этот новый закон крайне важен и может помочь многим, кто женат или замужем за американским гражданином, или является неженатым ребенком до 21 года или родителем американского гражданина, проживающий в США нелегально более 6 месяцев или 1 года, и не имеющим возможности на получение вида на жительство через процесс называющийся adjustment of status.  Значимость этого нового закона заключается в том, что именно по этой категории «невъездных» подается наибольшее количество заявлений на вэйвер в посольствах США по всему миру.

Например, девушка приехала в США из России по визе неветы в 2002 году. Поругалась и разошлась с пригласившим ее американским женихом до заключения брака, но решила остаться в США. Через несколько лет в 2004 г. вышла замуж за другого гражданина США и имеет двух маленьких детей, тоже граждане США. С 2002 г. она «нелегал» в США так как не смогда легализоватьяс даже через последующий брак с американцем. Один из её детей страдает аутизмом и нуждается в постоянном присутствии матери и медицинской помощи, а муж перенес тяжелую операцию. В подобной ситуации по новому закону, эта девушка сможет получить грин карту. Да, ей все равно придется лететь в Москву на собеседование на визу, но она сможет заранее получить условный вэйвер и принимать решение о поездке в Россию уже имея утвержденный вэйвер на руках. Тогда как по действующему законодательству ей необходимо ехать за визой в Россию и подавать заявление на вэйвер в посольство США в Москве, что порой приводит к длительным ожиданиям, и нередким отказам. Отказ в вэйвере приводит к отказу в визе. Аппеляция решения об отказе в вэйвере в настоящее время занимают около 2х лет(!).

10 января 2012г. Я участвовала в 2-х часовой конференции\встрече с сотрудниками Иммиграционной Службы США, занимающимся разработкой этого нового закона. Внизу я вкрадце привожу суть нашего разговора и предстоящих изменений в иммиграционном законодательстве.

(1) Впервые предлагается введение нового вида вэйвера – «УСЛОВНЫЙ вэйвер» (Provisional Waiver). Условные вэйверы будут рассматриваться Иммиграционной Службой в США, а не за границей как сейчас, что позволит сократить сроки пробывания за пределами США, ожидая получения визы и вэйвера. Цель изменений в законодательстве – предотвратить долгую разлуку членов семьи, когда человек должен ехать за пределы США, чтобы получить визу и подать заявление на вэйвер в поосольство США. В настоящее время, заявление на вейвер в посольстве может быть подано только после отказа в визе. Иногда это приводит к разлуке с семьей в 6-24 месяца и более. В случае окончательного отказа в вэйвере, человек может оказаться невъездным в США на много лет или даже навсегда.

(2) Этот новый закон будет применим только к одной категории вэйверов, а именно в случае где человек признан невъездным по причине нелегального проживания в США более 6 месяцев или более 1 года (запрет на въезд на 3 года или 10 лет). Этот новый закон не будет применим к вэйверам по другим категориям, например: судимости, обман и предоставление заведомо ложной информации или подложных документов и т.п. В случае, если Иммиграционная Служба обнаружит другие основания для признания человека невъездным в США, то в условном вэйвере будет отказано. Это значит, что гражданин сможет обратиться за вэйвером только находясь за границей через американское посольство, а не в США.

(3) Иммиграционная Служба США предупрежлает, что даже если они утвердят условный вэйвер и гражданин обращающийся за визой поедет в посольство за пределами США получать иммиграционную визу (грин карту), то иногда могут возникнуть ситуации, где консул во время собеседования на визу обнаружит дополнительные основания для признания этого гражданина невъездным. В такой ситуации новое заявление на вэйвер потребуется через посольство. Поэтому очень важна помощь квалифицированного и опытного адвоката, особенно если вам предстоит поездка за пределы США в посольство.

(4) Изменения не затронут уже существующую и установившуюся законодательную базу по вэйверам. Стандарты и юридические требованяи останутся те же. Только процедура подачи заявления на одну из категорий вэйвера (самую распространенную) будет модифицирована.

(5) Окончательный текст закона будет опубликован в Федеральном Регистре нормативных актов до конца 2012 г. Иммиграционная служба США будет принимать советы и мнения от адвокатов и граждан в течение этого года. Дополнительную информацию мы опубликуем на форуме нашего вебсайта или на нашем блоге. Также информация будет публиковаться на государственном вебсайте иммиграционной службы.

К сожалению новый закон не будет применим к тем семьям, где родственники петиционеры не граждане США, а постоянные жители США. С вступлением в силу нового закона ожидается значительное сокращение сроков пребывания за границей и ожидания иммиграционных виз в тех ситуациях, где граждане могут заранее получить условный вэйвер перед поездкой на собеседование в посольство. Иммиграционная Служба США и Госдеп в настоящее время согласовывает все процедуры, чтобы этот новый закон работал успешно.