Federal Register News of the Day

Delay in Change in Procedures for Visa Fees
The Department of State is postponing for technical reasons the changes announced September 8, 2000, to the procedure and timing of payment of the immigrant visa processing fee.

Postponement of Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
The Department of State is postponing until January 1, 2001, the changes to the fee schedule for the affidavit of support processing fee announced on September 7, 2000.

Designation of Certain Posts for Special Fee Payment Procedures
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services designates ten Foreign Service posts for participation in the initial stage of the new immigrant visa application processing fee payment system and the fee for review of and assistance with the Affidavit of Support.

English Teachers From South Africa
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs requests proposals for a 2001 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South Africa. Institutions may submit proposals to provide a six-week academic training program for approximately 28 J-1 English language educators from South Africa.

Affiliations Program With Serbia
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for an assistance award program to support the reform of higher education in the Republic of Serbia, within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Institutions meeting the provisions may submit proposals for J-1 programs to pursue institutional or departmental objectives through international partnerships with counterpart institutions in Serbia.

INS News of the Day

INS Reminds Employers of H-1B Fee Change
An INS press release reminds employers that a $1,000 fee in addition to the $110 filing fee must accompany all H-1B petitions received by INS on or after December 18, 2000, and before October 1, 2003. Petitioners claiming to be exempt from the fee should submit a copy of the relevant provision of law with their petition along with evidence that they qualify as an exempt organization.

INS Issues Foreign Travel Advisory for Adjustment Appliants
The INS is urging all aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status or change of nonimmigrant status to consult an immigration attorney or an immigrant assistance organization accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") before making any foreign travel plans.

Attorny General Terminates Deportation Proceedings
In order to support and promote the process of reconciliation that has begun in Northern Ireland, Attorney General Janet Reno directed the INS to offer to terminate deportation proceedings against the six Irish aliens, and to forego proceedings against three others.

Immigration News of the Day

TB Study Puts Focus on Foreigners
According to the Washington Post immigrants account for more than 40 percent of all tuberculosis cases in the US. Under current US policy, prospective immigrants must get chest X-rays to detect active infections, but not TB skin tests, which can detect latent infections.

Ruben Navarrette: Immigrants Are Our Most Precious Import
An opinion piece in the Dallas Morning News looks at the role immigrants have played in shaping the United States over the past decade.