Immigration To The USA | New York Lawyer | Russian Speaking NY Lawyer

What Do Statistics Say About U.S. Asylum and Refugee Immigration?

February 15, 2013

Every year the Office of Immigration Statistics issues an Annual Flow Report that offers information about U.S. refugee and asylum statistics. The most recent statistics available are for 2011 and the annual flow report indicates that 56,384 persons gained admission to the United States as refugees during 2011. Burma, Bhutan and Iraq were the leading countries for the flow of immigrants and there were 24,988 individuals granted asylum by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ).

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Deportation

Problems with E-Verify

February 5, 2013

The E-Verify program

Author: Deportation Lawyer Alena Shautsova

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), E-Verify uses online databases to compare employees’ information filled out on an I-9 form with data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The comparison allows the government to verify employment eligibility in terms of valid immigration status.

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Asylum in USA

Can I File For Asylum if my Visa Expires?

February 4, 2013

Author: New York Asylum Attorney

Many asylum applicants are confused regarding the procedure of filing for asylum. Let’s say someone came here from Egypt (a country with recent change in country conditions) and now they face a question: shall they file for asylum in the US or shall they do it from their home country. Many potential applicants are afraid that by the time they prepare their application in the US, their visas will expire, and they become illegal.
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Immigration To The USA

Obama’s Immigration Reform

January 30, 2013

Obama’s Immigration Reform

It seems that the White House is serious this time about a comprehensive Immigration reform, that would not just “patch” a torn tuxedo, but will give it a million dollar “face- lift.”

Here you can find a transcript of Obama’s today’s speech on Immigration Reform.

Immigration To The USA

Immigration Reform: is it Possible?

January 29, 2013

We all agree that we need an Immigration reform. It seems that a real breakthrough was achieved today… However, is it really possible to have a reform, and what main areas of law I believe need to be “reformed”?

First, I believe the rules of the adjustment of status have to be changed, allowing EWI (those who crossed the border) to get their green cards. I am not encouraging this type of “immigration”, but for many people who honestly worked and paid taxes and do not have criminal convictions, it would be a great help in trying to concentrate on their US citizen families and not on whether or not there is ICE behind the door.

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USCIS

USCIS 800 Number Saturday Hours are Not For Attorneys

January 28, 2013

Author: New York Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova

I was very excited to learn a couple weeks ago that the USCIS will provide its 800 service on Saturday.

I was very disappointed yesterday to learn that the Saturday service is useless if you are an attorney. A “TIER 2” Rep is required to answer the call when an attorney is on the online, and because a “TIER 2” Rep is not available on Saturdays, hence, I have to call back during the week.

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USCIS

North Carolina Will Have To Issue Driver’s License To DACA Benefices

January 19, 2013

It’s just not so long ago, that DACA beneficiaries received hope that they will be able to get driver’s license and ability to travel outside the US.

But some States do not support Federal decisions, and refuse to issue driver’s license to DACA beneficiaries. This seems to be absurd in the light of the fact that it is Federal government that decide whether or not somebody is legal in the US. Of course, issuing a driver’s license is a state prerogative, but it is based on Federal determination of whether or not somebody is granted a status in the US. As such, States should not be allowed to deny valid applications for license to otherwise qualified applicants.
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Asylum in USA

Asylum Denials Rates Are At Historic Low

January 17, 2013

What are the odds of getting asylum in the United States? According to the latest report, they are pretty good.

Asylum denials rates are at their historic low. The statistics released by TRAC Immigration shows that the odds of an asylum claim being granted reached a historic high in FY2012, with only 44.5% being turned down.
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Deportation

Hispanics’ Call to Action for Immigration Reform

January 17, 2013

A coalition of Hispanic labor organizations and civil rights groups has begun mobilizing for immigration reform. The coalition consists of the National Council of La Raza, Service Employees International Union, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Mi Familia Vota, Voto Latino and the Hispanic Federation. The Arizona Daily Star reported about the coalition’s nationally launched campaign for immigration reform legislation in 2013.

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Visas

Employee Visa News From US Embassy In Mexico

January 16, 2013

Expedited Visa Processing for Employees

New program to facilitate business relationship between the USA and Mexico has been implemented that will speed up visa processing for employees:

“The United States Embassy is pleased to announce the expansion of its Business Facilitation Program (BFP) that allows access to expedited visa processing for employees of qualifying firms traveling to the U.S. on company business. The BFP will provide time-saving benefits for businesses whose employees need to travel to the U.S., and highlights the United States’ commitment to deepening trade and economic engagement with Mexico.

The BFP is open throughout Mexico and is available at all U.S. Consulates and the Embassy. The BFP requires interested firms to register with the U.S. Embassy’s or Consulates’ Consular Section.

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