This article touches upon the effects a U.S. Federal Government shutdown have on immigration services, like petitions, labor certifications, and visas.
U.S. Data Shows Increase in Immigration from India
According to the most recent statistics released from Washington, there have been significant changes amongst the more recent waves of immigrants entering the U.S. When compared to last year, an immigration low, levels of new immigrants have increased. The most predominant groups of the new wave are those hailing from China and India
Pew Research Center: More State Immigration Legislature
Pew Charitable Trusts states that state legislatures are beginning to debate new laws aimed at dealing with immigration laws on a local level. According to Stateline, immigration-related legislature has increased by 28 percent during the first half of 2013 when compared to 2012.
New Identity Verification Implemented in Local USCIS Offices
Individuals with interviews at USCIS offices are now required to submit biographic information in order to confirm their identity. This new measure is put in place as an anti-fraud tool and allows USCIS to confirm an individuals identity with ease.
Employers “Ability to Pay Requirement”- Form I-140
The second step in the three step process for acquiring a greencard involves the filing of Form I-140. Employers are required to show their ability to pay.
DOL Denies PERM Applications – Engineering Degrees Targeted
DOL maintains the position that due to the breadth of engineering degrees, a degree in engineering alone isn’t enough for certain positions.
Agriculture and Comprehensive Immigration Reform
A recent official white house release states that the current immigration systems does not adequately support a both predictable and reliable workforce
Cecila Muñoz Sends a Message from the Obama Administration
authors of a recent study on Comprehensive Immigration Reform have been promoting the Obama administration’s position on CIR. They are encouraging business owners to become more involved in the issue by contacting their representatives while congress is in recess.
Zuckerberg Group and Immigration Reform
New players have joined the push for comprehensive immigration reform. Mark Zuckerberg the founder and CEO of Facebook started and is heading an immigration lobbying group called “FWD.us”. The groups primary objective is to add to the existing support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).
Comprehensive Immigration Reform – Support from the Norquist Study
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) is on the minds of millions of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike. Currently, the bill is in a somewhat compromising situation. At this point currently, the legislation in question will fall to the House of Representatives where the Republican party holds a slight majority.
What’s Left for UNVA?
On July 15, 2013 the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) was shut down by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV). Although the decision of the school is perfectly clear, what is to become of its students? Without any direction, UNVA students are investigating their various options.
DOMA Opinions – Alberto Gonzalez, Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta
The recent DOMA decision has received as much criticism as it has praise. Recently former White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez voiced a highly publicized dissenting opinion on the interpretation of United States v. Windsor, which posits the position that immigration benefits should not be awarded to same-sex, bi-national couples.