USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Earlier known as INS. USCIS is responsible for providing immigration benefits to applicants. Homepage http://wwww.uscis.gov

USCIS Update on O-1 Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement)

The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.
The O nonimmigrant classification is commonly referred to as:

USCIS Implements H-1B and L-1 Fee Increase

On Aug. 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-230, which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. Effective immediately, Public Law 111-230 requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after Aug. 14, 2010, and will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2014.  

Employment Authorization for Dependents of Foreign Officials

Update

WASHINGTON— The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule amending its regulations governing the employment authorization for dependents of foreign officials classified as A-1, A-2, G-1, G-3, and G-4 nonimmigrants. This rule, effective August 9, 2010, expands the list of dependents eligible for employment authorization to include any individual who falls within a category of aliens designated by the Department of State (DOS) as qualifying.

USCIS Reminds Eligible Nationals of El Salvador to Re-Register for TPS

Update

 

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds nationals of El Salvador (and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in El Salvador), who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), to file their re-registration applications for TPS before the end of the re-registration period on Sept. 7, 2010.

USCIS Transitions Filing Locations to Lockbox Facilities

To provide a more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees, USCIS is transitioning the intake of additional forms from USCIS Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake allows USCIS to utilize the Lockbox facilities technology to put your application into our system.  

Fingerprint Notification for California and Arizona Asylum Applicants

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) experienced technical difficulties with the Form I-797C, Notice of Action - Fingerprint Notification.  USCIS did not print and mail this form to asylum applicants living in California and Arizona between July 8, 2010 and August 4, 2010. 

What You Should Do

Go to the nearest USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for fingerprinting and biometrics collection before your asylum interview if you:

USCIS Publishes Policy Review Survey Report

Introduction

In April, USCIS launched a comprehensive effort to review all of its adjudication and customer service policies.  USCIS invited the workforce and external stakeholders to complete a survey identifying their priorities for the Policy Review. This is the beginning of a long-term effort to ensure our policies reflect our fundamental mission and core values of consistency, integrity, transparency and efficiency.