US Visa For Dutch Citizens and US Visa Online Application

 The United States has a strict visa policy, but tourists, including Dutch nationals, are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 38 countries to obtain tourist visas through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or US ESTA.

WHAT IS THE US ESTA?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system used to determine whether you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses a security risk.

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/us-visa-for-dutch-citizens-and-us-visa-online-application

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

10 MS-13 gang members indicted on murder, racketeering charges

 GALVESTON, Texas – Ten alleged MS-13 gang members were indicted Aug. 24 by a federal grand jury for various crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering (VICAR), firearms charges and obstruction of justice as a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, as well as various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/10-ms-13-gang-members-indicted-murder-racketeering-charges Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Issues Regulation to Preserve and Fortify DACA

 WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced that the Department has issued a final rule (PDF) that will preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy for certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the United States as children, deferring their removal and allowing them an opportunity to access a renewable, two-year work permit. Since its inception in 2012, DACA has allowed over 800,000 young people to remain in the only country many of them have ever known, with their families. Across the country, DACA recipients are doctors and nurses, working to ensure the health and safety of Americans; they are teachers, striving to give back to younger generations; they are members of our military serving to protect our country; they are our neighbors, friends, and family. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-issues-regulation-to-preserve-and-fortify-daca Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

US Reaches 65,000 H-1B Visa Cap For 2023: Immigration Department

 Washington: The US has received sufficient number of applications needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2023, the country's federal agency for immigration services said on Tuesday.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Technology companies depend on it to hire thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Read more at: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-reaches-65-000-h-1b-visa-cap-for-2023-immigration-department-3280881

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2023 H-1B Cap

USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

We have completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for the FY 2023 H-1B numerical allocations, but that were not selected, will now show:

• Not Selected: Not selected – not eligible to file an H-1B cap petition based on this registration.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-fiscal-year-2023-h-1b-cap
Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

HSI announces crackdown on firearms, ammunition smuggling to Haiti, the Caribbean

 MIAMI – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami announced Aug. 17 efforts to curb the increased flow of weapons, weapon parts and ammunition to Haiti and the Caribbean. Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge of HSI Miami, along with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partners made the announcement.

“HSI and our partners will investigate and seek to prosecute any individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking,” said Salisbury. “Today we make it very clear that the United States, and in particular south Florida, is not open for business regarding the illegal trafficking of weapons.”

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-announces-crackdown-firearms-ammunition-smuggling-haiti-caribbean Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Missouri woman accused of defrauding disabled uncle following HSI investigation

 ST. LOUIS – A woman from Lake St. Louis was arrested Aug. 16 on an indictment accusing her of stealing more than $66,000 from her disabled uncle following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probe. Jessica Medrano, 41, was indicted with one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of access device fraud, and 12 counts of wire fraud. Medrano pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The indictment states that between Jan. 21 and May 16, Medrano used a debit card account number issued to her uncle to make $12,668 worth of transactions at Walmart. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/missouri-woman-accused-defrauding-disabled-uncle-following-hsi-investigation

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Boat captain in fatal maritime human smuggling incident near Point Loma sentenced to 18 years

 SAN DIEGO – A boat captain who attempted to smuggle 21 noncitizens in May 2021, resulting in the death of three people, was sentenced Aug. 12 in federal court following a multiagency investigation that included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Harbor Police Department, the National Park Service, San Diego Lifeguard Services, San Diego Air and Marine Branch, and U.S. Border Patrol.

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/boat-captain-fatal-maritime-human-smuggling-incident-near-point-loma-sentenced-18 Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

New executive leadership brings wealth of knowledge as incoming HSI Detroit special agent in charge

 DETROIT – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has named Angie Salazar as the new special agent in charge (SAC) of the HSI office based in Detroit.

In her new role, Salazar, a 19-year veteran of federal law enforcement, will supervise a cadre of special agents responsible for investigative work across Michigan and Ohio with administrative and operational oversight of approximately 250 personnel. HSI special agents, analysts, auditors, and support staff, assigned throughout the Midwest, protect the community by utilizing their broad legal authority to conduct federal criminal investigations into various mission areas such as: drug smuggling, illegal exportation of munitions and high-tech items, money laundering, financial crimes, transnational gangs, human smuggling and trafficking, intellectual property rights infringement, and child exploitation.

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/new-executive-leadership-brings-wealth-knowledge-incoming-hsi-detroit-special-agent

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

ERO Washington, D.C. apprehends MS-13 member wanted for murder in El Salvador

 WASHINGTON - Deportation Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C. field office arrested a documented member of the notorious MS-13 street gang wanted for aggravated homicide in his native country of El Salvador. Jorge Alberto Quintanilla Marquez, 42, was arrested outside his residence in West Springfield, Virginia, July 22. The arrest was the result of many months of work by ICE ERO with the assistance of the FBI.

Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-washington-dc-apprehends-ms-13-member-wanted-murder-el-salvador

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Uniting for Ukraine Parolees

 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for beneficiaries paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine. Effective immediately, all beneficiaries aged 6 months and older must have an attestation submitted attesting that they received COVID-19 vaccinations both before traveling to the United States and after arrival in the United States, unless they are eligible for an exception. Previously, beneficiaries younger than 5 years old qualified for an exception to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement because the vaccine was not approved or licensed for use in that age group.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/updated-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-uniting-for-ukraine-parolees

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

ICE hosts NGOs to discuss parental, guardianship rights for minor children, incapacitated adults

 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) hosted a virtual stakeholder engagement Aug. 3 with more than 30 individuals representing various nongovernmental organizations – the engagement was held at the request of stakeholders to expand on the July announcement updating the policy, procedures, and requirements for agency officers and special agents to preserve access to family visitation and child welfare services and to hear feedback. A follow up meeting will be held in Q4 of the calendar year to continue to dialog and provide feedback to comments received. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-hosts-ngos-discuss-parental-guardianship-rights-minor-children-incapacitated

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Oct. 23, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive:

• Requests for Evidence;
• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
• Notices of Intent to Deny;
• Notices of Intent to Revoke;
• Notices of Intent to Rescind;
• Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;
• Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and
• Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-covid-19-related-flexibilities

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Parolees Can Now File Form I-765 Online

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that certain parolees can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online.

Most individuals paroled into the United States for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit purposes under INA 212(d)(5) are eligible to seek employment authorization under category (c)(11). Please see the Form I-765 instructions (PDF, 810.34 KB) for more information.

Effective immediately, applicants for employment authorization under category (c)(11) may file Form I-765 online, with limited exceptions. Applicants seeking a waiver of the filing fee or those eligible for a fee exemption, such as Afghan nationals paroled through Operation Allies Welcome and filing an initial Form I-765, must continue to submit Form I-765 by mail. Whether applications are submitted by mail or electronically, USCIS is committed to employing technological solutions and efficiencies to reduce processing times. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/parolees-can-now-file-form-i-765-online

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Updates Interpretation of “Under Honorable Conditions” for Military Naturalization

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing an update to its Policy Manual

to clarify that a current or former service member who received an uncharacterized discharge may be eligible for naturalization under sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA).

Previously, USCIS had interpreted the requirement for a separation “under honorable conditions” in INA 328 and INA 329 to require a separation characterized as either Honorable or General-Under Honorable Conditions. This policy guidance (PDF, 340.22 KB) changes the USCIS interpretation of “under honorable conditions” to encompass Uncharacterized discharges as well as Honorable and General-Under Honorable Conditions discharges. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-interpretation-of-under-honorable-conditions-for-military-naturalization Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Information on Form I-589 Intake and Processing Delays

 USCIS is currently experiencing delays in issuing receipts for Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. Due to these delays, you may not receive a receipt notice in a timely manner after you properly file your Form I-589. For purposes of the asylum one-year filing deadline, affirmative asylum interview scheduling priorities, and Employment Authorization Document eligibility based on a pending asylum application, your filing date will still be the date that we received your properly filed Form I-589 (not the date we processed it). If you did not properly file your application, we will reject it and note any deficiencies in your filing. If you do not receive your receipt notice in a timely manner, please do not submit multiple Forms I-589, as this may further delay your case.

Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/information-on-form-i-589-intake-and-processing-delays

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.