USCIS Updates FY 2010 H-1B Count (Updated 10/25/09)
November 3, 2009
As of October 25, 2009, approximately 52,800 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. Any H1-B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H1-B cap of 65,000. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.
USCIS Update and Fact Sheet on Advance Parole
October 22, 2009
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds individuals that they must obtain Advance Parole – permission to reenter the United States after traveling abroad – from USCIS before traveling abroad if they have: been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS); a pending application for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (LPR); a pending application for relief under section 203 of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA 203); a pending asylum application; or a pending application for legalization. To obtain Advance Parole, individuals must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, which is available under “Forms” on USCIS’ Web site.
USCIS Service Centers Processing Time Reports
October 19, 2009
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Processing Time Reports for California, Vermont, Nebraska, Texas and National Benefits Centers. The USCIS generally provides monthly updates to give its customers accurate information about current processing times and service level commitments. We have posted these reports under USCIS Processing Times & Recent Immigration News section on our website in PDF files.
Department of State releases November 2009 Visa Bulletin
October 12, 2009
The U.S. State Department released the November 2009 Visa Bulletin on October 12, 2009. Visa Dates are announced by the U.S. Department of State every month. India’s priority dates for This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November. EB-2 category for all countries remains available while China and India’s EB-2 Categories continue to move at a creeping pace with both backlogged to 2005. We are glad to see that categories in EB-3 and Other Workers remain available though they are backlogged by about 8-10 years so no such luck for applicant’s with 2003 priority dates. For more information on this and other news be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at GLC Newsletter. Pursuant to INA § 245(a)(3), aliens with priority dates prior to the cut-off dates shown on the Visa Bulletin will be eligible to file adjustment of status applications during the month of November 2009. We at GLC post these dates for your convenience on our website under Visa Bulletin as soon as they become available from U.S. Department of State.
Secretary Napolitano Announces More Than $355 Million for Airport Security Projects
October 2, 2009
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Napolitano announced that more than $355 million in funding for more than a dozen airport security projects will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The money will be used for inline baggage handling systems, closed circuit television systems, and checkpoint technologies. Secretary Napolitano announced approximately $254 million in ARRA funds for inline baggage handling systems at six airports—including Washington Dulles International Airport ($154 million); Mineta San Jose International Airport ($20.9 million); San Antonio International Airport ($14.4 million); Portland (Maine) International Jetport ($9.2 million); Port Columbus International Airport ($35.2 million); and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ($20 million). Inline baggage handling systems eliminate the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location and wait before proceeding to the security checkpoint, incorporate enhanced explosive detection technology to provide on-screen viewing capabilities for TSA officers conducting baggage screenings and reduce the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.
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