DHS Sec. Janet Napolitano directs the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to implement last week's historic Supreme Court ruling and, effective immediately, "review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those…
Blog Archives
Immigration updates from the government.
E-Verify Update: Direct Employee Notification
Providing an email address when filling out Form I-9 is optional. However, employees who do so, can benefit from this latest E-Verify update. "Currently, if there is a record mismatch that needs to be resolved before the employee can be…
USCIS Updates Naturalization Certificates
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) begins issuing redesigned naturalization certificates, which feature enhanced security features. "The replacement certificates incorporate state-of-the-art technology to help deter counterfeiting, prevent tampering, and facilitate quick and accurate authentication. Additionally, USCIS employs a new…
U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas announced at the annual American Immigration Lawyers Association conference in San Francisco that USCIS will start implementing the Supreme Court decision. Originally shared by +Loke Walsh Immigration Law Supreme Court Decision Striking Down DOMA Creates a…
SC Decision Striking Down DOMA Creates a Green Card Path for Bi-National Same-Sex Spouses
In a historic decision today, the Supreme Court overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denied federal benefits to lawfully wedded same-sex couples. The court declined to rule on the merits of California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay…
July 2013 Visa Bulletin Is Out
• EB-3 cut-off dates advance across the board — ranging from 1 week to 4 months (including CHINA – mainland born). • EB-2 for mainland China also moved forward by 3 weeks, while still no movement for EB-2 India —…
Possible Visa Services Interruption Due To Protests Throughout Turkey
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey warns resident U.S. Citizens to take necessary precautions and be alert for potential violence due to ongoing public demonstrations throughout the country. The Embassy also announced that visa services for non-U.S. citizens may be…
May 2013 OSC Newsletter
The May 2013 issue of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices newsletter is now available. Inside this Issue: • OSC's Recent Enforcement Activities• OSC Partnerships with Fair Employment Practices Agencies• New FORM I-9• OSC's Recently…
June 2013 Visa Bulletin Is Out
• EB-3 cut-off dates advance across the board — ranging from 1 week to 9 months (including CHINA – mainland born). • EB-2 for mainland China also moved forward by 2 months, while still no movement for EB-2 India —…
U.S. Embassy in Libya Temporarily Suspends Immigrant Visa Services
"Important Notice: Please be advised that Embassy Tripoli's Immigrant Visa services have been temporarily suspended. Please monitor our website for information on resumption of service. All Immigrant Visa services for Libyans resident in Libya are currently being processed by the…
