ICE launches workplace immigration crackdown
From the Associate Press:
By SUZANNE GAMBOA (AP) – Jul 1, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — Immigration officers are investigating workplaces in every
state in the U.S. to check whether they are hiring illegal workers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement told members of Congress in an e-mail
Wednesday morning that it is beginning audits of documents that employees fill
out when they are hired. The documents are known as I-9's.
President Barack Obama has said his administration's strategy for stemming
illegal immigration is focusing on employers who hire illegal workers.
The Bush administration was criticized for raiding businesses and arresting
workers but not doing enough to go after the employers who hire them.
USCIS Announces Extension of the J-1 Entry Date for International Medical
Graduates to Qualify for “Conrad 30” Waiverv
WASHINGTON — U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers that Public Law 111-9, signed by President Obama on March 20, 2009, extends the date until Sept. 30, 2009 by which international medical graduates have to have been granted J-1 nonimmigrant status in order to later qualify for the “Conrad 30” program. Before this latest extension was granted, the most recent sunset date for qualifying J-1 admission was March 6, 2009.
Under the “Conrad 30” program, each state health department may submit a request directly to the Department of State (DOS) to initiate the waiver process for a J-1 medical doctor. This request enables J-1 doctors to obtain a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement, if DOS submits a favorable recommendation to USCIS and will generally be granted as long as there are no underlying concerns. Once the waiver is granted, J-1 doctors must practice medicine for at least three years in a medically underserved shortage area or areas. The Department of Health and Human Services designates the medical shortage areas.
The Conrad 30 (originally Conrad 20) program was originally established in 1994 to address the shortage of qualified doctors in medically underserved areas, and has been extended several times since then. In 2004, Congress amended the program to exempt J-1 doctors who received a Conrad 30 waiver from the annual H-1B numerical limitation (otherwise known as the “H-1B cap”), as these doctors must complete their required three-year period of service as H-1B nonimmigrants.
This current sunset date of Sept. 30, 2009, applies to the date the medical doctor originally entered the United States in J-1 status or received a change of status to J-1, to complete a residency program in the United States. Doctors who acquired J-1 status before Sept. 30, 2009, may pursue a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement under the Conrad State 30 program, if they meet all the eligibility requirements.
For additional information, call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.
USCIS Modifies Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
Revised Form I-914 Effective on May 6, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has revised Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (edition date 3/30/09). Previous editions of Form I-914 will be accepted for 30 days. The final date USCIS will accept previous editions of Form I-914 is June 6, 2009.
The T Nonimmigrant Status provides temporary immigration benefits to aliens who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and, where appropriate, to their immediate family members. The form revision was necessitated by statutory changes which have previously been implemented but needed to be appropriately reflected on the existing form. It is expected that additional changes to the form may be required because of more recent statutory changes. Once this occurs our customers will be informed through a similar update.
Law Extends Non-Minister Special Immigrant Religious Worker Program
WASHINGTON—U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises its customers that Public Law 111-9, signed by President Obama on March 20, 2009, extends the non-minister special immigrant religious worker program through Sept. 29, 2009. The program had expired on March 6, 2009.
The extended category covers special immigrant religious workers in professional or non-professional capacity within a religious vocation or occupation. The extended date also applies to accompanying spouses and children of these non-ministers. Workers entering the United States only to continue the vocation of a religious minister are not affected by the expiration date.
USCIS will receive and process the Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360, for those religious workers affected by the expiration of the program. USCIS will also process Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485, based on approved Form I-360 petitions for non-minister special immigrant religious workers.
Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, requesting ‘following-to-join’ individuals whose basis for the adjustment was an approved Form I-360 SR petition for a non-minister category, or requesting an approved Form I-360 SR petition to be sent to the State Department’s National Visa Center, will continue to be accepted and processed as well.
Unless Congress extends the expiration date of the program, beginning Sept. 30, 2009, USCIS will suspend processing of any pending Forms I-360, I-485 and I-824 affected by the expiration, and will reject all petitions and applications for this program received on or after that date.
Religious workers affected by the extension of the program should check the USCIS web site (www.uscis.gov) or call the National Customer Service Center (800-375-5283) for future updates.