Immigration News  |
| Changes in immigration that impact your life. |
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| CBP Debuts Global Entry Program at Seattle Airport |
| September 2, 2009 |
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| On September 1, 2009 CBP and the Port of Seattle demonstrated Global Entry, a new clearance system for international air travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Global Entry applicants present their machine-readable passport, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification and make a declaration at the kiosk. |
| US Visas for Nurses – Possible New W Visa |
| August 8, 2009 |
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| Due to the massive shortage of nurses in the US, on February 11, 2009, a new Nurse Relief Act was introduced in the House - HR 1001. The new Nurse Relief Act would introduce a new non-immigrant W visa category for nurses with an annual cap of 50,000. |
| CBP to Start SENTRI Program at San Luis Port of Entry |
| July 30, 2009 |
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| CBP on July 2009 has announced to Start SENTRI Program at San Luis Port of Entry for travelers wanting to participate in CBP’s trusted traveler program in the San Luis area. CBP will open a local enrollment center in the fall of 2009, followed by dedicated commuter lanes at the San Luis port of entry in late 2009. Travelers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to apply early for the new SENTRI program. |
| ICE Supplemental Fact Sheet on the Cap-Gap Extension |
| July 23, 2009 |
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| ICE releases a fact sheet, which addresses when DSOs can employ the Cap-Gap Extension functionality in SEVIS, and explains that the inappropriate termination of some SEVIS records for students eligible for the cap-gap extension is due to a technological interface issue. |
| DOJ Provides Dos and Don’ts for Employers On E-Verify |
| July 16, 2009 |
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| The Department of Justice (DOJ) has published a pamphlet containing “Dos and Don’ts” in order to provide guidance to employers regarding E-Verify. There are other aspects that are illustrated in the pamphlets, readers and employers are advised to go through the same thoroughly to stay informed. The pamphlet clearly says that employers should use E-Verify to verify employment eligibility of new hires and not for current employees. |
| CBP Reminds Travelers of New Border-Crossing Document Requirements |
| May 21, 2009 |
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| U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds United States and Canadian citizens that new travel document requirements go into effect on June 1 for entry into United States at land or sea ports. Travelers should apply for approved travel documents now, as it can take several weeks to receive a document that will comply with new requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. |
| Vermont Service Center (VSC) Preparing for H-1B Cap Petitions |
| March 12, 2009 |
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| Vermont Service Center (VSC) will continue to send weekly shipments of I-751 petitions to the California Service Centre (CSC) through the end of March. VSC also confirmed that all cap-exempt employer cases, including extensions, should be filed at California Service Centre (CSC). Petitions mistakenly filed with the VSC will be rejected. |
| Obama to sign $410 billion omnibus for 2009 |
| March 11, 2009 |
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| President Barack Obama is expected to sign the $410 billion 2009 omnibus bill, funding the government through September 30. The House passed the omnibus two weeks ago. The Senate passed the bill yesterday despite flak from many Republicans who complained the omnibus contained more than 9,000 wasteful earmarks. |
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