Immigration News  |
| Changes in immigration that impact your life. |
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| DHS Announces 18-Month TPS Extension for El Salvador |
| January 14, 2015 |
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| The Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of El Salvador for 18 months from March 10, 2015 through September 9, 2016. Current El Salvador beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during the 60-day period that runs from January 7, 2015, through March 9, 2015. Eligible El Salvador TPS beneficiaries who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of September 9, 2015. |
| Re-designation and 18-Month Extension of TPS for Syria |
| January 07, 2015 |
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| DHS has announced the re-designation of Syria for TPS and has extended the existing TPS designation for Syria from April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. Syrian nationals with TPS who are seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from Jan 5, 2015, through March 6, 2015. Syrian nationals, or persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria, in the United States who do not currently have TPS may apply under the re-designation during a 180-day initial registration period that runs from January 5, 2015 through July 6, 2015. |
| USCIS Announces 68 Countries Whose Nationals are Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Participation |
| December 19, 2014 |
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| USCIS has announced the list of 68 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs for the coming year. Each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2015. The notification, however, does not affect the status of beneficiaries who are currently in the United States in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. |
| H2B Cap Count Update |
| December 18, 2014 |
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| USCIS has updated the count of H2B visa petitions received and counted towards the 1st half of fiscal year 2015 and 2nd half of fiscal year 2015 employment. As of December 12, 2014, USCIS has approved filings on behalf of approximately 15,579 beneficiaries for the 1st half of FY 2015. |
| In-Country Refugee/Parole Program for Minors in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras |
| December 8, 2014 |
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| The US Department of State (DOS) has announced that starting December 3, certain parents lawfully present in the US may request a refugee resettlement interview for their unmarried children under 21 in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras by filing Form DS-7699 with the assistance of a designated resettlement agency that works with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugee, and Migration to help resettle refugees in the US. |
| Immigration Reform: President Obama Sets the Ball Rolling |
| November 22, 2014 |
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| President Obama has announced his much-anticipated plans for immigration reform through executive action. Some critical aims of President’s executive actions would be to streamline legal immigration and promote naturalization; to create an opportunity for certain undocumented immigrants to register to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation; crack down on illegal immigration at the border; and prioritizing deporting felons, not families. |
| DHS Announces TPS Designation for Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone |
| November 21, 2014 |
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| DHS has designated Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for TPS for 18 months effective 11/21/2014. The 180-day registration period begins 11/21/2014 and runs through 5/20/2015. Eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the US may apply for TPS with USCIS and can also obtain an EAD to work in the US. To be eligible for TPS, applicants must demonstrate that they satisfy all eligibility criteria, including that they have been “continuously residing” in the US since 11/20/2014 and “continuously physically present in” the US since 11/21/2014. |
| H2B Cap Count Update |
| November 14, 2014 |
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| USCIS has updated the count of H2B visa petitions received and counted towards the H2B cap for the fiscal year 2015 employment. As of November 10, 2014, USCIS has approved approximately 10,682 beneficiaries for the 1st half of FY 2015. |
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