New "Green Card" is here and it is high tech and green

USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card
Fact Sheet

Introduction

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card¿commonly known as the "Green Card" to incorporate several major new security features. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

Card Features

RAD~ Wow, such fancy technology...now the police in AZ can find a reasonable suspicion just by scanning someone for an RFID chip signal...you don't even have to know you are being searched. Identity thieves should have fun with these as well. At least now they are actually GREEN

Tell USCIS what you think - new immigration survey open until April 29

Have a suggestion on what US Citizenship & Immigration Services could improve? I know I did. It takes five minutes...it's even easier than the Census.

Click on the title or this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6N2T3BQ

USCIS: Change of Filing Location for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

USCIS: Change of Filing Location for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

RAD~ Are you confused yet? All this changing of filing locations...is this leading to something?



Change of Filing Location for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131). The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some USCIS forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. By Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, the agency can provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Beginning March 19, 2010 applicants will file their applications at the USCIS Vermont Service Center or at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities. Detailed guidance can be found in updated Form I-131 instructions page at www.uscis.gov.

The USCIS Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed Form I-131 applications to the USCIS Lockbox facilities for 30 days, until Monday, April 19, 2010. After April 19, 2010, incorrectly filed applications will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

If you are currently in removal proceedings or have been previously removed from the United States, submit your request to the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of International Affairs, Attn: Section Chief, Law Enforcement Parole Branch, 800 N. Capitol Street, Washington, DC 20536.

When filing Form I-131 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, you may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete an
E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of your application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

USCIS - Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and Revised Filing Locations

USCIS - Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and Revised Filing Locations


Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and Revised Filing Locations

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has posted a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485. In addition to a revised form, there are new filing locations. The changes are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of USCIS benefit forms from Service Centers to Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake allows USCIS to provide the public more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Beginning February 25, 2010, most applicants must submit Form I-485 to a USCIS Lockbox facility, depending on the eligibility category under which they are filing, as provided in the form instructions. USCIS Service Centers will forward all Form I-485 applications to the appropriate Lockbox facility until March 29, 2010. USCIS will accept previous versions of Form I-485 for until March 29, 2010. After March 29, 2010, USCIS will only accept the Form I-485 dated “12/03/09.”Any previous versions of the the form that are submitted will be rejected. After the transitional period, the Service Centers will return any incorrectly filed Form I-485 with instructions to send the application to the correct location.

At this time, applicants should not concurrently file Form I-485 with an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) at a USCIS Lockbox facility. Refer to the Form I-140 filing Instructions for information on how to file forms concurrently.

When filing Form I-485 at a Lockbox facility, you may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying you that USCIS has accepted your application. To receive notification, you must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of your application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

RAD~See my comments on the I-765 change of filing location.

USCIS - Change of Filing Location for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

USCIS - Change of Filing Location for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Change of Filing Location for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765). The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake allows USCIS to provide the public more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Beginning February 24, 2010 applicants must now submit Form I-765 to one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities or the USCIS Vermont Service Center, based on the classification under which they are filing. Detailed guidance can be found in updated Form I-765 instructions as well as at www.uscis.gov.

The Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed applications to the USCIS Phoenix and Dallas Lockbox facilities for the first 30 days, until March 26, 2010. After March 26, 2010, applications incorrectly filed at USCIS Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

When filing Form I-765 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, you may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of your application.

Form I-765 may be electronically filed (e-filed) with USCIS when submitted under certain categories. View our Web site for a list of who is eligible to e-file Form I-765.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

RAD~ IS USCIS JUST TRYING TO MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT? No, they would tell you they are streamlining their processes - to improve service.

WELL HOW ABOUT A LITTLE MORE NOTICE THAN THE SAME DAY YOU MAKE THE CHANGE? THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO HAVE APPLICATIONS DELAYED BECAUSE THEY SEND THEM TO THE WRONG ADDRESS.

ILW.COM - immigration news: USCIS On New I-102 Filing Location

ILW.COM - immigration news: USCIS On New I-102 Filing Location

On a far less entertaining note than the previous post but perhaps of more immeditate usefulness here is information on the change in filing location for obtaining replacement I-94 cards -

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document (Form I-102). The new form is dated 1/13/10. This is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.


Beginning February 22, 2010, applicants submitting Form I-102 by itself must mail their application to the USCIS Phoenix or Dallas Lockbox facility, based on where they are located. Detailed guidance can be found in the updated Form I-102 instructions, which can be accessed through the Form I-102 link to the right. Applicants submitting their Form I-102 with another form should submit both forms according to the filing instructions for the other form.


NATO and Partnership for Peace under SOFA Military Members seeking an initial Form I-94 should submit their application through their foreign commander or designee, to NATO/Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation at NATO/HQ SACT, 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, ATTN: Legal Affairs, Norfolk, VA 23551-2490.

The Service Centers will forward mail to the USCIS Phoenix and Dallas Lockbox facilities for 30 days until March 24, 2010. After March 24, 2010, applications incorrectly filed at the Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

Applicants filing a Form I-102 at a USCIS Lockbox facility, may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying them that their application has been accepted. They must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of their application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.


thanks ILW.com

Department of Homeland Security Estimate of Unauthorized Immigrants

OK this might not be the easiest thing in the world to read...to see the full report click the link.

Immigration Case Status Check

While we are on the subject of useful links... you may want to check the status of your immigration case with USCIS.

If you have your receipt number you can check your case online with USCIS by clicking the link in our useful links section in the right hand sidebar.

USCIS InfoPass appointment maker

Looking to make an appoinment with the immigration service (USCIS)? You can schedule one with the infopass system at USCIS.gov

If you scroll down the right hand sidebar of this page you will find a quick link to the Info Pass System.

USCIS: Change of Filing Location for Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility

USCIS: Change of Filing Location for Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revisions to Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility.


As of January 4, 2010, infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is no longer a ground of inadmissibility. If you have the HIV infection, you are no longer inadmissible to the United States, and are no longer required to file Form I-601 because of your HIV infection. As part of the revisions to Form I-601, any reference to HIV infection in the form and the instructions were removed.

In addition, USCIS today announced that there are revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility. The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. By centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, USCIS can provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

RAD~There's more information if you click on the link, but it largely refers to other information that you will not likely have in front of you.

Construction Update Bedford USCIS

Here is the latest photograph of the progress on the new USCIS building in Bedford, NH. I like this one especially because the building is shrouded and opaque much like the service itself.

USCIS Update: Change of Filing Location for Form N-400

USCIS Update: Change of Filing Location for Form N-400

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised addresses for applicants filing an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) at USCIS Lockbox facilities in Phoenix and Dallas. This filing address change takes effect immediately.

Applicants who previously filed their applications at the Lewisville Post Office (P.O.) box will now file their applications at a P.O. Box in Dallas. See address below. In addition, the table below includes a change to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox address. Starting immediately, applicants filing Form N-400 at the USCIS Dallas or Phoenix Lockbox must submit the application and all supporting documents and fees to the following addresses, based on where they live:


If you live in:
Mail your application to the:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Territory of Guam, or the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service deliveries:

USCIS
PO Box 21251
Phoenix, AZ 85036

Express Mail and Courier deliveries:

USCIS
ATTN: N-400
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennesee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
USCIS Dallas Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service deliveries:

USCIS
P.O. Box 660060
Dallas, TX 75266

Express Mail and Courier deliveries:

USCIS
ATTN: N-400
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067


USCIS: USCIS Update: Change of Filing Location for Form N-400

USCIS Bedford - New Hampshire Immigration office construction update

So the new immigration office is progressing nicely...I will ask them when they hope to move in next week. It's too bad they aren't going to be within walking distance to our North Commercial Street office anymore - but a nice new building with sufficient parking is always good. I wonder if they would have room for an immigration judge in there somewhere?

New US Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman: January Contreras

Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman: January Contreras




January Contreras was appointed as the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman for the Department of Homeland Security on November 23, 2009. In this role she leads the Office of the CIS Ombudsman in its efforts to interact with the public and employers to enhance the effective delivery of citizenship and immigration services. Primary efforts include helping to resolve obstacles to accessing services, identifying areas in need of improvement, and recommending solutions to improve services.

RAD~I have used the office of the Ombudsman before to assist my clients...I recommend them.

Update on USCIS moving to Bedford NH

Here is the latest photo of the building...well would'ya believe of the foundation? Progress is being made though - the land is cleared the foundation appears to be in.  The entrance is apparently not going to be on Palomino (the vantage point of the photo) but rather on Ridgewood at the far side of the frame. You saw it first, here on WiggiBlawg!

1,000 NEW WORKPLACE AUDITS

ICE ASSISTANT SECRETARY JOHN MORTON ANNOUNCES 1,000 NEW WORKPLACE AUDITS TO HOLD EMPLOYERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR HIRING PRACTICES

WASHINGTON—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John

Morton today announced the issuance of Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 1,000 employers across the

country associated with critical infrastructure—alerting business owners that ICE will audit their

hiring records to determine compliance with employment eligibility verification laws.

“ICE is focused on finding and penalizing employers who believe they can unfairly get ahead by

cultivating illegal workplaces,” said Assistant Secretary Morton. “We are increasing criminal and

civil enforcement of immigration-related employment laws and imposing smart, tough employer

sanctions to even the playing field for employers who play by the rules.”

The 1,000 businesses served with audit notices this week were selected for inspection as a result of

investigative leads and intelligence and because of the business’ connection to public safety and

national security—for example, privately owned critical infrastructure and key resources. The names

and locations of the businesses will not be released at this time due to the ongoing, law enforcement

sensitive nature of these audits.

Feds plan 25,000 on-site H-1B inspections

Feds plan 25,000 on-site H-1B inspections

Computerworld - U.S. immigration officials are taking H-1B enforcement from the desk to the field with a plan to conduct 25,000 on-site inspections of companies hiring foreign workers over this fiscal year.
The move marks a nearly five-fold increase in inspections over last fiscal year, when the agency conducted 5,191 site visits under a new site inspection program. The new federal fiscal year began Oct. 1.

H-1B visa applications to be accepted with just file

From Bender's Immigration Daily

Temporary Acceptance of H-1B Petitions Without LCAs


"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is announcing a 120-day period in which it will temporarily accept H-1B petitions filed without Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) that have been certified by the Department of Labor (DOL)." USCIS, Nov. 5, 2009.

click on the title to see the press release.

Wiggiblawg Exclusive! Manchester USCIS and ICE moving!

Here is some immigration news content you can't yet get anywhere else. Google it! Bing it! I dare ya. USCIS Manchester is moving and so is ICE. It may still be a little while but USCIS is moving from 803 Canal Street in Manchester to a new building in Bedford, NH. Here is a map:


View Larger Map

The new address appears as though it will be near 182 Palomino Lane in Bedford. I will take a picture of the new building when I get a chance. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be moving to the Norris Cotton Federal Building in Manchester. This will probably happen a while down the road...but will undoubtedly happen. I hope the Immigration Court moves an Immigration Judge and a couple of Government trial attorneys into the building as well.

Anyway the Gold's Corner Plaza can go back to being an ordinary mini-mall without the high volume of visitors to US Immigration and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which has been gone a couple of years now if I remember correctly).

Some Kudos for a change

I do a lot of complaining about various Department of Homeland Security agencies involved in United States Immigration.  Rightly so I mostly think, but usually my complaints have to do with bureaucratic snafus and people who just don't seem to be cut out for the job life has handed them.

This week I have to say that the government has done alright by my clients and me.  The people who I have dealt with at my local USCIS and ICE offices have given me the information I requested of them (as best they could) without any trouble or attitude or passing the buck. That is not unusual locally, we have fairly small DHS offices where we all pretty much know each other and generally nothing too unexpected happens.

But even some figures more far afield have given me some positive feed back. Tony Drago our New England Chapter Chairman of the American Immigration Lawyers Association passed along my question to the Field Office Directors of USCIS asking why my clients from Nashua were being sent to Lawrence for biometrics capture instead of Manchester NH.  They said it shouldn't be happening and they will look into fixing it.

Now, it isn't fixed yet...but at least it is on the agenda...and that is a good thing. Thanks Tony and Karen Anne Haydon (and any others who may be working on straightening that out).

One more thing, I understand that the security officer detailed at the Manchester USCIS office is moving on to bigger and better things...good luck to you Jolly Roger!