A Note from the Editors:

An updated version of the AR-11 form for Alien's Change Of Address is now available. For a fillable version of this form, please click here.

Articles

H-1B Series: The Labor Condition Application - Part 5
George N. Lester continues a discussion of the labor condition application.

INS Expands Locations For Green Card Renewals
The INS issued a press release stating "to maximize customer service, effective June 20, 2000, Green Card renewal applicants will have the convenience of one-stop, walk-in service at their local INS Application Support Centers." The INS has also provided frequently asked questions regarding expanded locations for green card renewal application processing.

Suit Alleges INS Officer Reneged On Promise
The Kentucky Post reports "Three Estonian women who helped the U.S. government successfully prosecute a Hebron couple for operating an illegal immigrant-labor ring here say officials have reneged on promises to allow them to remain and work in America."

Border Patrol Begins Random Checks For All American Drivers To Combat Alien Smuggling
The Washington Post reports "Border Patrol agents began stopping drivers at unannounced, rotating checkpoints Tuesday in two areas of Michigan, looking for illegal immigrants, potential terrorists and drug or weapons smugglers."

Special Registration for Persons Already Present in the United States
Clarice F. Liao and Bernard P. Wolfsdorf write about last week's Federal Register notice on Special Registration.

INS Releases SEVIS User Manual
The INS released a user manual for temporary users of the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS).

Future Of Immigration Policy Unclear In Wake Of Election
Gregory Siskind and Amy Ballentine write "I've decided to reveal a big secret in this week's newsletter. Most immigration lawyers and most pro-immigration advocates are Democrats (myself included). That's probably why so many of my colleagues have been gloomy this week in the wake of Tuesday's midterm national elections. But partisan leanings may be clouding a happy truth - Republicans are increasingly pro-immigration and the future of immigration legislation in Congress may be rosier than the conventional wisdom would suggest."

Aliens Can Serve In Army, But Not As Airport Screeners
The Sacramento Bee reports "The federal government considered Jeimy Gebin trustworthy enough to serve in the Army but not trustworthy enough to screen luggage at an airport."

Bracero-Type Round-Up Not Possible Today
An opinion column at CNSnews.com says "Like it or not, it's not possible simply to round up all the illegal aliens in the country and ship them home. Nor would it be desirable to do so. Our economy is simply too dependent on their labor to withstand a round up of illegals like the one the U.S. engaged in during the Great Depression. Most illegal aliens are gainfully employed doing dirty, often dangerous jobs that Americans won't take, at least not at wages that allow employers to keep the jobs here rather than ship the jobs overseas."

INS Proposed Regulations For Certification Of Health Care Workers Heighten Current Shortages
Ann Pinchak writes "the proposed regulations will have a major negative impact on US facilities as they seek to sponsor prospective employees in nonimmigrant status and to extend the stays of current nonimmigrants."

INS Issues Foreign Travel Advisory for Aliens With Pending Immigration Applications
The INS issued an advisory to aliens who have applied to adjust status to that of permanent resident that they must obtain Advance Parole from the INS before traveling abroad.

Increased Migration From Mexico Likely Next Year
The Washington Post reports "Anti-globalization activists predict that millions of Mexican farmers will stream into the United States when Mexico lifts tariffs on U.S. farm products in January."

How do I find the Status of my Case?
Read comprehensive answer from INS on how to find the status of your case by phone, writing or in person. INS has also recently made it possible to check the status of your case online at https://egov.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/cris/jsps/caseStat.jsp. If the readers are unable to access the Case Status Online screen, they may want to read about Common Error Messages.

ILW Highlights

"Cutting-Edge Topics In H-1B Practice"

ILW.COM is pleased to announce a new phone seminar course on "Cutting-Edge Topics In H-1B Practice." Led by Cyrus Mehta, this seminar features Robert Divine, Wendi Lazar, Angelo Paparelli, Eleanor Pelta, William Stock and other speakers to be announced.

For more info, including detailed curriculum, speaker bios, and registration information online, click here.
For more info, including detailed curriculum, speaker bios, and registration information by fax, click here.

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Immigrant Life

INS is improving?

Is INS making attempts to make procedures easier for immigrants and improving its service? Speak your mind on this topic.

Mohan says, "May Be...

there is some sigh that INS have progress in certian areas but we can't called that improvement. INS is using the technology for their benifts which has a little or no impact to clearout the problems immigrant facing. For example.

Status of application online.. its true you can access the status online (improvement) but it will say panding and will be completed from 150 days to 999 days. which doesn't make any difference. you still have to call the INS to get the actual time if they can answer. What good is it? Backlog: Backlog is still the same, it was increased instead. There are new imposed law For example: Immigrant should notify the current address within 10 days in case of change in residence. this Law requires the Immigrant to fill a form AR-11. INS was flooded by the forms to be entered in the Database, which created more work then usual and INs employee will be bussy entering this info which makes the process slow to the other areas where flow of application is already in backlog for years. third the law is so confusing that applicant is applying OR reapplying to the same Bar or relief ( in case he can't affort an attorney or novice attorney) which he actually is not entitlled for. another way of creating backlog.

Treatment of INS officers to immigrant is the same with some exceptions. No changes. INs treats the Immigrant s they are not human. ( NYC and Newark is the best examples) Is this we called Improvements?"

This week's chat schedule

When	Attorney
Monday, November 18 9:00 pm Eastern Time	Alice Yardum-Hunter
Wednesday, November 20 9:00 pm Eastern Time	Kevin Dixler
Friday, November 22 9:00 pm Eastern Time	Fariba Faiz

Classifieds

For information on advertising in the classifieds please click here.

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