Advance Notification of the Diversity (DV) Immigrant Category Rank Cut-Offs for April

 

For April, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2012 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 

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FY 2012 H-2B Cap Count as of February 10, 2012

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment for the first and second half of FY 2012.

As of February 10, 2012, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 34,481 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for First Half of FY-2012.  This count includes 26,257 approved and 8,224 pending petitions.  For the Second Half of the Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 6,833 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount.  This count includes 4,730 approved and 2,103 pending petitions.  SOURCE

USCIS places a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens that it would issue a visa or otherwise provid H-2B status to (including through a change of status) during a fiscal year.  Currently, the H-2B cap set by Congress is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 2nd half of the fiscal year (April 1 – September 30).  USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their peititions.

MY FIRST U VISA APPROVAL

 

This week, I received my first U-1 visa approval.  The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.  See USCIS Q&A.

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FY 2012 H-2B Cap Count as of 02/03/2012

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment for the first and second half of FY 2012.

As of February 3, 2012, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 31,626 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for First Half of FY-2012. This count includes 24,015 approved and 7,611 pending petitions.  For the Second Half of the Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 4,875 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount.  This count includes 3,191 approved and 1,684 pending petitions.  SOURCE

USCIS places a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens that it would issue a visa or otherwise provid H-2B status to (including through a change of status) during a fiscal year.  Currently, the H-2B cap set by Congress is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 2nd half of the fiscal year (April 1 – September 30).  USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their peititions.

Secretary Napolitano Announces Rule Making Global Entry Program Permanent

 

CBP has published a  final rule today setting forth federal regulations that replaces the current pilot with a permanent Global Entry program.

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FY 2012 H-2B Cap Count as of 01/27/2012

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment for the first and second half of FY 2012.

As of January 27, 2012, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 29,301 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for First Half of FY-2012.  This count includes 21,2689 approved and 7,612 pending petitions.  For the Second Half of the Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 2,636 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount.  This count includes 1,705 approved and 931 pending petitions.     SOURCE

USCIS places a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens that it would issue a visa or otherwise provid H-2B status to (including through a change of status) during a fiscal year. Currently, the H-2B cap set by Congress is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 2nd half of the fiscal year (April 1 – September 30). USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their peititions.

New EB-5 Regional Centers

 

The USCIS list of Regional Centers now has 2 new entries.  The new entries are as follows:

ARIZONA

Arizona Alternative Energy Center, LLC
Website: http://arizonaenergycenter.com
Investment focus: solar power generation, wind power generation, water retrieval

CALIFORNIA

Hollywood Regional Center
Website: http://www.hollywoodregionalcenter.com/
Investment focus: internet gaming

Source:  Suzanne Lazicki

The following is a list of all current EB-5 (Immigrant Investor) Regional Centers by state:  

regional centers

Second Employment-Based Priority Dates Advance Dramatically by One Year for Chinese/Indians February 2012

 

Second Employment-Based (EB-2) Immigrant Visa Priority Dates will advance dramatically by One Year for Chinese and Indians this February 2012.  In January 2012, the Department of State was processing a visa priority cut off date for Indian/Chinese EB-2 applicants of January 1, 2009.  Next month, that number will rise dramatically by one year to January 1, 2010.  SOURCE

These visa numbers could retrogress if significant numbers of Indian/Chineses applicants apply after in this category during next month’s priority date leap.   

FY 2012 H-2B Cap Count as of January 20, 2012

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment for the first and second half of FY 2012.

As of January 20, 2012, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 25,993 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for First Half of FY2012.  This count includes 18,220 approved and 7,773 pending petitions.  For the Second Half of the Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 1,078 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount.  This count includes 619 approved and 459 pending petitions.     SOURCE

USCIS places a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens that it would issue a visa or otherwise provid H-2B status to (including through a change of status) during a fiscal year. Currently, the H-2B cap set by Congress is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 allocated for employment beginning in the 2nd half of the fiscal year (April 1 – September 30). USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their peititions.

Executive Order Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals

 

President Obama today issued an Executive Order to improve visa and foreign visitor processing and travel promotion in order to create jobs and spur economic growth in the United States. 

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