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An Immigration Roundupby Jose LatourFollowing are select highlights of immigration events in March, April and May 2004.
1. L Visa Standards Addressed by DOS In Light of H-1B Cap (March 2, 2004) The document begins with a speculation that "applicants may increasingly turn to other visa categories, particularly L-1, as a way to evade the H-1B limitations..." and discusses concern in Congress over abuse of the L visa category. "There is no legal reason why aliens eligible for H-1B status cannot legitimately seek out other types of visas, including L. On the other hand, the inability of aliens to obtain H-1B visas can lead to increased fraud and abuse of the L and other categories, and posts need to be sensitive to this possibility." [Emphasis added] The cable describes and defines the requirements of the L visas with two concerns for potential abuse of the L visa category: "job shops" vs. "employer-employee relationship" and "specialized knowledge." Consuls are advised in the cable to seek an advisory opinion if uncertain.
2. Regulations for U.S. Passports Amended (April 2, 2004)
For more information about U.S. passport applications, please see the website for the Department of State: Passport Services and Information.
In February, we reported on a proposed fee increase for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) applications... the fee increases have now been approved.
3. DHS Approves Fee Increases (April 16, 2004) The reasons cited by USCIS for increases in application fees include higher costs of processing these documents, the new procedures for national security efforts, as well as plans for new programs and enhancements to other existing programs. Please refer to the Official USCIS Press Release Regarding the New Fees. The Revised Fees will be effective April 30, 2004! 4. Hospitals Not Required to Report Undocumented Aliens (May 21, 2004)The U.S. House of Representatives recently defeated the Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004, which would have required hospitals and other health care professionals to report undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to be reimbursed for providing care to these individuals, making inability to pay medical expenses a basis for removal from the U.S. The bill, introduced by Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher from California, would have required healthcare providers to provide information to DHS including patients' financial data, employer identification, and biometric information. The bill was defeated by a vote of 331 to 88.
5. New Employment Authorization Document: Enhanced Security Features (May 21, 2004) The new card, Form I-766, will have several new security features designed to prevent fraud and counterfeiting, including: a magnetic strip, a two-dimensional barcode, and several features used to "determine the card's authenticity." According to the Press Release, the EAD is "one of the most widely used immigration document[s]," produced at a rate of approximately 24,000 per week. The USCIS expects to issue the new EAD cards some time in June, 2004.
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