Immigration News  |
| Changes in immigration that impact your life. |
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| Couple from Washington state sentenced for alien harboring and illegal employment |
| August 25, 2011 |
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| In a recent news release, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has informed that a husband and wife from northern Washington state have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from a probe by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations that revealed the pair had hired and harbored an illegal alien domestic worker. The couple paid the victim $57,000 in restitution at the time of their guilty pleas, and they are barred from having any contact with the victim or her family. |
| US-China Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region |
| July 23, 2011 |
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| Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republic of China Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reviewed the wide range of common interests between the United States and China and discussed ways to advance our shared goal of maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Senator Grassley Concerned that Companies are Using B-1 Visa Program to Circumvent H-1B Requirements |
| April 14, 2011 |
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| Senator Grassley wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano questioning the “B-1 in lieu of H-1B” policy currently in place. Grassley also referenced a formal complaint against Infosys that details how Infosys management in India decided to use the B-1 business visitor visa program to get around H-1B program restrictions. The plaintiff alleges that Infosys was importing foreign workers as B-1 business visitors under the guise of attending meetings rather than working for a wage as an employee of a U.S. company, which is forbidden under the statute and regulations governing the B-1 visa program. |
| Grassley's Letter to DHS Inspector General, Explaining his Concern about L-1 Visa Fraud and Abuse |
| April 1, 2011 |
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| Senator Grassley has called on the Inspector General of DHS to investigate the L-1 intracompany transferee program. Grassley outlined specific areas of concern in his letter to Acting Homeland Security Inspector General Charles Edwards. Among those concerns are an unclear number of L-1 visa holders actually in the United States, a broad definition of “specialized knowledge,” a disconnect between the Departments of Homeland Security and State on blanket petitions, and the alleged use of L-1 visas to circumvent requirements of H-1B visas. |
| Christmas Holiday Travel Reminder from CBP |
| December 24, 2010 |
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| CBP issued a Christmas holiday travel reminder to remind travelers planning trips across the border this weekend into the United States to make sure they have their proper documents and to anticipate heavy traffic during this Christmas season. Border traffic volumes are expected to increase during this holiday weekend and all travelers are reminded of a few simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently. |
| Honduran National Imprisoned for Conspiracy to Harbor Illegal Aliens by Wearing an ICE T-Shirt |
| November 9, 2010 |
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| Kenneth Barahona, 19, Honduran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Sim Lake Nov. 5 to eight years and four months in prison for conspiracy to harbor aliens and possessing a firearm. Barahona is subject to deportation after he completes his prison sentence. Barahona admitted to the attempted kidnapping of more than 20 illegal aliens by wearing an ICE T-shirt. |
| CBP Reminder: New ESTA Fee to Begin from September 8 |
| September 7, 2010 |
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| CBP reminds VWP travelers about the $14 fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization applications that will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 8. A fee of $4 will recover the costs incurred by CBP of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. The total fee for a new or renewed ESTA will be $14. |
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