IPSO News Updates
EADs Filed Too Early Will Be Denied
USCIS has updated information on its website to inform customers that an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization to extend an EAD may not be filed earlier than 120 days prior to the expiration of the original EAD. USCIS has informed that any I-765 application for replacement EAD received on or after January 29, 2008, that was filed more than 120 days from the date of expiration, will be denied as filed too early.
US-Canada Land Entries to Require Documentation of Citizenship and Identity
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
Oral Declarations No Longer Satisfactory as Evidence of Citizenship and Identity
AGENCIES: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2007 / Notices 72745
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: U.S., Canadian and Bermudian citizens entering the United States at land or sea ports-of-entry must establish their identity and citizenship to the satisfaction of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer. Under current CBP procedures, such individuals may provide any proof of identity and citizenship. While most individuals provide documentary evidence of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, individuals may, depending on the circumstances, be admitted on an oral declaration. Accordingly, CBP is amending its field guidance procedures to instruct CBP officers that citizenship ordinarily may not be established using only an oral declaration. This Notice informs the public that, effective January 31, 2008, all travelers will be expected to present documents proving citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and government-issued documents proving identity, such as a drivers license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry.
DATES: This notice is effective January 31, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Manaher, WHTI, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4-D, Washington, DC 20229, telephone number (202) 344-3003.
NEW Filing Location for H-1B CAP EXEMPT PETITIONS
Please be advised, effective January 30, 2008, all new MCG H-1B petitions, previously filed with the Vermont Service Center, will now be filed with the California Service Center (see USCIS update).
Upcoming IPSO Events and Workshops in Collaboration with MCG Human Resources Division
All-Campus Forum on Immigration
Wednesday, January 30 Permanent Residency Update Location: CB-3401
12 PM to 1 PM
A meeting for Administrative personnel, Nonimmigrants (F, J, and H-1B) and pending Permanent Residents.
Wednesday, February 20 Hiring Non-immigrant Personnel Location: CA-2109
10 AM to 12 PM
This course will provide an overview of the non-immigrant hiring process, timelines, pitfalls and status options.
Thursday, March 13 Intercultural Communications Location: CJ-3302
2 PM to 4 PM
An analysis of the root causes of obstacles in intercultural commications and tips on how to play an active role in resolving communication difficulties.
Friday, April 25 Basic Chinese Pronunciation Location: CJ-3302
11 AM to 12 PM
A survey of the basics of Chinese pronunciation, the Pinyin system and differences in Chinese and English grammar
Click on event for details and registration. Otherwise, please contact IPSO at 1-0670 for more information.
Travel Tips for Foreign Nationals
Here's some reminder information from the Department of State web site about their Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Also, from the Department of Homeland Security, here's a recent reminder of the deployment of 10 finger scanners at ports of entry to the U.S. The scanners are in use at most U.S. consulates worldwide. They are scheduled to come to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport in early 2008. http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_1194553866460.shtm
The following article comments on the introduction of the new scanners at Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC.
The Washington Times
Airport fingerprinting goes two-fisted
By Tom Ramstack and Jen Haberkorn
December 11, 2007
Foreign travelers entering the United States through Washington Dulles International Airport are now required to give officials 10 fingerprints instead of two.
The 10 fingerprints are part of the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program, which is designed to better monitor international arrivals. The 10 fingerprints are required of travelers to Dulles and will be rolled out to other international airports beginning in January.
Almost all foreigners between 14 and 79 entering the U.S. will be required to submit digital fingerprints when they apply for visas or pass through U.S. ports. The prints are checked against an FBI-DHS watch list of suspected terrorists, criminals and immigration violators.
"Anyone who's watched the news or seen crimes solved on television shows can appreciate the power of biometrics," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told reporters yesterday at Dulles. "They help the legitimate traveler proceed more quickly while protecting their identity and enable our frontline personnel to focus even greater attention on potential security risks."
The new security measure has prompted concern that foreign travelers are going to look at it as a barrier to entry.
"This is absolutely the right thing we need to do from a security and efficiency perspective," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, a travel industry lobbying group. "What we all need to understand is when these security measures are put in place, they appear to folks outside of the U.S. to be barriers. They appear to be reasons to go someplace else."
Whether the barriers are real or perceived doesn't matter, he said, but international travelers need to hear the message that the United States wants them. Mr. Freeman and others in the travel industry are pushing for a bill, which has garnered support in the House and Senate, that would authorize the U.S. to advertise travel and explain the entry process in other countries.
Local airport officials reported no unusual delays and no complaints so far about the new Customs and Border Protection fingerprint policy.
"Not that I'm aware of," said Courtney Prebich, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokeswoman, referring to the occurrence of delays or problems from the policy. The authority manages Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports.
"It doesn't add any additional time," a Homeland Security spokeswoman said. The entire fingerprinting process is supposed to remain at "less than one minute," she said. Travelers will have to submit fingerprints once and have them checked on later trips.
About 40,000 travelers a year will be affected by the policy at Dulles alone, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is the next one scheduled to require 10 fingerprints of foreign travelers, beginning early next month.
Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the Homeland Security Department, plans to use the 10-fingerprint policy at nine other international ports by the end of 2008.
Reagan Airport will be exempt from the policy because its only international arrivals come from Canada, where travelers are pre-screened. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is scheduled for 10-fingerprint checks next year.
No delays or complaints were reported by foreign travelers yesterday at Dulles, a spokeswoman said.
"It's been smooth," she said.
Application Fees for Nonimmigrant Visas to Increase On January 1, 2008
Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131. This increase allows the State Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the nonimmigrant visa application process. This increase applies both to nonimmigrant visas issued on machine-readable foils in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/dec/97384.htm
USCIS Fee Increase
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced in the Federal Register that fees for most applications have been adjusted in an effort to enhance service. Effective July 30, 2007, fees for most USCIS benefits increased. As such, the H-1B fee (Form I-129) increased to $320. For the full press release and a listing of the new fee schedule, visit the USCIS website.
Complete List of Revised Fees
DHS Launches
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
On February
21, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security announced the launch of
the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP).Travelers can use the
online inquiry program to seek resolution of misidentification issues at
ports of entry, or if they have been unfairly delayed or denied boarding
for additional screening when traveling. Click here for the official DHS TRIP website and to file a
complaint.
Online appointments now available in Atlanta
InfoPass is an Internet-based system that enables the public to go online to schedule appointments with immigration officers at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices. InfoPass offers a convenient alternative to waiting in line for assistance. On August 19, 2004, USCIS formally opened this appointment system to residents of the Atlanta area. Walk-in appointments are still permitted but the Atlanta office recommends that they take place in the afternoons on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. However, it is strongly recommended that an appointment be made in advance.
For the InfoPass website (available in 12 languages, including Chinese) click here.
Extension of Validity for Science Related Visa Clearances
The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland
Security, has extended the validity of visa clearances for the F
(student), J (exchange visitors), H (temporary workers), L (intracompany
transferees), and B (tourist and business) categories of visas. For more
information on how long the clearances are good for, please click here for the
complete notice.