News From the Agencies

SUNSET OF CERTAIN SPECIAL IMMIGRANT RELIGIOUS 9/18/2003 the validity of any "SR" visa which is issued must be limited to September 30, 2003 to coincide with the expiration of this classification in the authorizing statute. more...

Special international in-transit programs suspended 9/18/2003 The Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) and the International-to-International transit program (ITI), have been suspended pending a review of procedures which would bring such programs into compliance with new security standards. more...

AGUILAR TO LEAD OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP 9/18/2003 This press release anounces the appointment of Alfonso Aguilar to head the Office of Citizenship. Aguilar, a Puerto Rican, brings a wealth of public relations skills to the position. more...

DOS revises its Mantis visa clearance procedure 6/17/2003 Visa applicants who are involved in US Government work are provided an information technology clearance for a defined period of time. This revision will conditionally validate the Mantis clearance for upto a year. more...

The BCIS assesses its first hundred days in operation. 6/17/2003 Establishment of core values, re-branding, strategic planning, backlog reduction, electronic filing, Honduran/Nicaraguan Temporary Protected Status, and citizenship test standardization are among the subjects discussed. more...

AILA Comments on Proposed Rule Governing the Assignment of SSNs for ‘Valid Nonwork Purposes’ 5/27/2003 The proposed rule is inconsistent with the policy of section 205 of the Social Security Act, which explicitly allows states to use the SSN in the administration of driver’s licensing programs; it imposes a severe burden on foreign nationals who need an SSN to obtain a driver’s license; it undermines the public safety by disqualifying many foreign nationals from obtaining driver’s licenses; it would not advance its stated purpose of reducing unauthorized employment; and, will disserve homeland security by detracting from the available databases of information on foreign nationals in the US. more...

DOJ Stuggles with Local Police Immigration Function 5/14/2003 In response to a congressional inquiry, the U.S. Department of Justice attempted to explain the "inherent" power it claims that local law enforcement officials have to arrest individuals on immigration charges. more...

TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans is Extended. 5/14/2003 Extension is through January 5, 2005. Employment authorization is automatically extended December 5, 2003. Re-registration for 60 day period begins May 5, 2003. more...

E-Filing and other BCIS Services Online 5/14/2003 The BCIS appears to be moving forward with plans to utilize technology to address the perennial backlogs and processing delays. more...

BCIS to Develope New Citizenship Test 3/28/2003 The BCIS will be reviewing the tests that are taken by permanent residents as one of the requirements in the naturalization process to make it a fair and standardized test. more...

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