…Outlines and analyzes problems with USCIS and offers useful recommendations

The report includes:

A review of USCIS Transformation

· The most pervasive and serious problems USCIS customers experience such as Requests for Evidence, customer service, and FBI name checks

· Eight Annual Report recommendations that cover file transfers and tracking, DNA testing, and more…

· Eight formal recommendations that cover motions to reopen, EB-5 investor visas, T and U visas, EADs; and more….

· A description of Ombudsman facilitation of interagency meetings

We link here

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is launching a bold, new audit initiative by issuing Notice of Inspections (NOI’s) to 652 businesses nationwide - which is more than ICE issued throughout all of last year.  The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records (I-9s) to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regs.

ICE stated in a July 1st News Release, “Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the US.  This form requires employers to review and record the individual’s identity document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual”.

Contact Immigration Solutions for guidance on I-9 audits, transitioning to electronic storage, E-Verify training and procedures.  Now is the time to get your I-9 and employer compliance program in order. We have an experienced, excellent team to assist you.

We link to the ICE News Release

USCIS Handbook for Employers

News on Canadian Immigration, I-9s, Employer Compliance, H-1Bs and more.  Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay informed concerning the immigration issues of the day.

We link to our July news.

July 1,2009 CBP (Customs and Border Protection) notifies that all Visa Waiver Program emergency or temporary passports must be electronic passports.  Only travelers holding these E-Passports will be able to travel to the USA under the VWP.  Passports that do not comply with this regulation  (with the exception of those that are traveling for emergency reasons and have been given discretionary approval) may be detained for processing and may potentially be denied admission to the USA.

We link to the CBP website for more information.

The Emergency Nurse Supply Relief Act (H.R. 2536) that was introduced by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) are urging support of the Bill.  “This is not just about nurse staffing, it is about quality healthcare.”  The ASA references stats from  federal health authorities:  56% of the US nurse work force is 45 years of age or older and there are 3 Mil new and replacement nurses needed by 2020 to meet the shortage.

The Bill would provide up to 20,000 visas per year over a 3-year period for nurses and Physical Therapists and includes a $1,500 filing fee per application which is to fund US nursing schools.

Contact your local and state representatives to support this Bill.  We link to more on this.

Senator Schumer issues a game plan that he thinks will get a CIR bill passed.

We link to the ILW.com article.

Form I-140 Immigration Petition for Alien Worker is used to petition USCIS to classify an alien beneficiary as eligible for an immigrant visa (green-card) based on employment.  We link to the instructions

(Reuters, San Francisco)…..

Silicon Valley is facing a brain drain of high achieving foreign-born students, more of whom are leaving in the face of a chilly local immigration environment in a trend experts say will hurt U.S. high-tech industry competitiveness in the long run.

We link to the article. “We’re simply not producing, in relative terms, significant numbers of engineers or scientists from people who have already been here for a number of generations”, said Wilcox, who specializes in helping the start-ups that gave his bank its name.  “You’ve got to bring them in from the outside.”

The Immigratiion Policy Center HAS issued an excellent “primer” on Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).  We link to this for your reference and information.

As of 6/19/09, 44,500 H-1B cap-subject petitions have beenr received by USCIS for FY 2010 and 20,000 petitions seeking the advanced degree exemption.  As of this writing, USCIS will continue to receive cap subject and advanced degree petitions until the cap is met.