raj2227
10-17 03:18 PM
I changed my adress after filing I-485 and I-765, thru online using AR11 form
Its prety easy and we got our new EAD cards to new adress.
I-485 - July 2nd
I-765 - July 2nd
Receipt notice Aug 29
Change the adress online on Aug 30.
Recvd conformation notice from USCIS on sep 6th. saying adress changed sucessfully. To the new adress.
Recvd EAD cards to new adress on SEP 10th.
so its very easy. nothing to worry .
Its prety easy and we got our new EAD cards to new adress.
I-485 - July 2nd
I-765 - July 2nd
Receipt notice Aug 29
Change the adress online on Aug 30.
Recvd conformation notice from USCIS on sep 6th. saying adress changed sucessfully. To the new adress.
Recvd EAD cards to new adress on SEP 10th.
so its very easy. nothing to worry .
wallpaper Photos de OPEL VECTRA 2L DTI
pappu
11-06 10:13 AM
I see that for EB2 the PD is 01 APR 2004 now. I want to know if I-485 approvals is linked to this PD date or they will work independent to these days.
Thanks,
Sury
-------------------------------
PD : Feb'07
I-140 - Pending
I-131 - Approved
I-485 - Pending
Center: TEXAS SERVICE CENTER
Recieved EAD Card and FP done.
-------------------------------
with a PD of Feb'07, be prepared for a several years of wait time. Unless any law passes.
However there is a silver lining:
You should thank IV members whose hard work enabled the I485 filing for everyone. Even people with PD of 2007, could file their AOS. You can enjoy your EAD and its benefits.
Thanks,
Sury
-------------------------------
PD : Feb'07
I-140 - Pending
I-131 - Approved
I-485 - Pending
Center: TEXAS SERVICE CENTER
Recieved EAD Card and FP done.
-------------------------------
with a PD of Feb'07, be prepared for a several years of wait time. Unless any law passes.
However there is a silver lining:
You should thank IV members whose hard work enabled the I485 filing for everyone. Even people with PD of 2007, could file their AOS. You can enjoy your EAD and its benefits.
gc_lover
06-25 03:02 PM
It looks like my lawyer has already mailed the application to USCIS. The priority dates becomes current only on July 1st.
What are my options here? Does anyone has faced such a situation?
Wow... You have a great over-enthusiast lawyer. People try to push their lawyer to file their application but looks like your lawyer pushed you to file your application. :)
You can always file new application on July 1st.
What are my options here? Does anyone has faced such a situation?
Wow... You have a great over-enthusiast lawyer. People try to push their lawyer to file their application but looks like your lawyer pushed you to file your application. :)
You can always file new application on July 1st.
2011 Used Opel Vectra 2000
perm2gc
02-09 11:40 AM
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Breaking_news_Indian_docs_lose_case_against_Britis h_govt/articleshow/1586856.cms
Anybody thinking of trying a lawsuit in US should better think again. It's of NO USE. It will only aggravate the average Americans and you will lose whatever little support we have from moderates. Lawsuit will yeild nothing.
We must try Gandhian approach of appealing to their innate sense of justice.
Only President bush can do something if somehow he can be convinced.
People already sued USCIS couple of years back and lost the battle.Sad to hear about 15,000 people with their futures undecided.I also heard that many doctors are leaving US as they are unable to find a residency program.
Anybody thinking of trying a lawsuit in US should better think again. It's of NO USE. It will only aggravate the average Americans and you will lose whatever little support we have from moderates. Lawsuit will yeild nothing.
We must try Gandhian approach of appealing to their innate sense of justice.
Only President bush can do something if somehow he can be convinced.
People already sued USCIS couple of years back and lost the battle.Sad to hear about 15,000 people with their futures undecided.I also heard that many doctors are leaving US as they are unable to find a residency program.
more...
glosrfc
11-26 11:20 AM
@TheCanadian, glos is a cunning one. :look:
Unfortunately, that's not the case. If it were, I might've tried to make my buttons look more like...well, buttons. :suppose_maybe:
But it was fun making them and I've had some ideas for new themes!
Unfortunately, that's not the case. If it were, I might've tried to make my buttons look more like...well, buttons. :suppose_maybe:
But it was fun making them and I've had some ideas for new themes!
shutterbabe
11-19 09:41 AM
Thanx everyone for the helpful advice. I will schedule an infopass appointment. Can can I see an I/O at a location that doesn't service my area?
more...
jungalee43
06-29 05:51 PM
Hey guys. Please help me. for the first time I am posting a question.
All my details are in this thread.
"http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/ac21-portability-after-180-days-485-filing/11341-did-anyone-actually-use-ac21-11.html#post420955"
Now after AC21 - Two RFEs on that - gap in EAD I have received a notice for initial interview. It basically says: -
Who should come with you?
if the petition is based on your marriage, your petitioner spouse.
if the petition is based on parental relationship, your sponsoring parents or child.
What should you bring with you.
All EADs, Travel documents, all I-94s etc.
Originals and copies of All the supporting documentation submitted with the application.
Birth certificates.
Letter from current employer and last IT returns.
We have not received any notice for my wife. There is no LUD on any case for last one month. And the case is at national benefits Center, interview in Atlanta. I am just confused. What does this mean? What is meant by all supporting documentation submitted with the application?
I am completely confused, worried and getting tense. Can anyone throw some light on this please????????????????
__________________________________________________ ________________
Donation to IV $1000+ so far.
All my details are in this thread.
"http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/ac21-portability-after-180-days-485-filing/11341-did-anyone-actually-use-ac21-11.html#post420955"
Now after AC21 - Two RFEs on that - gap in EAD I have received a notice for initial interview. It basically says: -
Who should come with you?
if the petition is based on your marriage, your petitioner spouse.
if the petition is based on parental relationship, your sponsoring parents or child.
What should you bring with you.
All EADs, Travel documents, all I-94s etc.
Originals and copies of All the supporting documentation submitted with the application.
Birth certificates.
Letter from current employer and last IT returns.
We have not received any notice for my wife. There is no LUD on any case for last one month. And the case is at national benefits Center, interview in Atlanta. I am just confused. What does this mean? What is meant by all supporting documentation submitted with the application?
I am completely confused, worried and getting tense. Can anyone throw some light on this please????????????????
__________________________________________________ ________________
Donation to IV $1000+ so far.
2010 Used Opel Vectra 2000
aamchimumbai
09-02 06:35 PM
Folks,
Due to the priority data transfer issue my I-485 application was rejected in June'08 (submitted based on June'08 visa bulletin).
As part of my application necessary medical exam tests were conducted in May'08. If I were to submit my application today based on the new visa bulletin do you think I need to take all medical exams again and re-submit? Won't the first set of medical exams have any validity?
Also, on the forums there is a talk about medical forms being changed? Can anyone confirm?
Thanks in advance for all your responses.
Due to the priority data transfer issue my I-485 application was rejected in June'08 (submitted based on June'08 visa bulletin).
As part of my application necessary medical exam tests were conducted in May'08. If I were to submit my application today based on the new visa bulletin do you think I need to take all medical exams again and re-submit? Won't the first set of medical exams have any validity?
Also, on the forums there is a talk about medical forms being changed? Can anyone confirm?
Thanks in advance for all your responses.
more...
amitkhare77
08-26 03:04 PM
Is this true? I think once you start using EAD your H status is imiidiately invalid. she needs to go out of the country and get the H1B stamped in order to work on H1b.
She can always have the H1 in her back pocket for back up
She can always have the H1 in her back pocket for back up
hair Used Opel Vectra 2000
drona
07-08 08:00 PM
Can we please not insult anyone who is working for our cause. We need all the support we can get. Can we please be more productive in this forum.
Om Mathew is obviously a publicity freak, now he has his picture on his website. I think he wants people to look at his picture and admire him
Om Mathew is obviously a publicity freak, now he has his picture on his website. I think he wants people to look at his picture and admire him
more...
gc28262
07-18 03:47 PM
On H1B it is illegal for employer to enforce bond:
Please read employees rights in DOL page:
Employment Law Guide - Workers in Professional and Specialty Occupations (H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 Visas) (http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm)
Employee Rights
H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 workers are granted a number of rights. The employer must give the worker a copy of the LCA. The employer must pay the worker at least the same wage rate as paid to other employees with similar experience and qualifications or the local prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of employment, whichever is higher. The employer must pay for non-productive time caused by the employer or by the worker's lack of a license or permit. The employer must offer the worker fringe benefits on the same basis as its other employees. Also, the employer may not require the worker to pay a penalty for leaving employment prior to any agreed date. However, this restriction does not preclude the employer from seeking "liquidated damages" pursuant to relevant state law. Liquidated damages are generally estimates stated in a contract of the anticipated damages to the employer caused by the worker's breach of contract.
Please read employees rights in DOL page:
Employment Law Guide - Workers in Professional and Specialty Occupations (H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 Visas) (http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm)
Employee Rights
H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 workers are granted a number of rights. The employer must give the worker a copy of the LCA. The employer must pay the worker at least the same wage rate as paid to other employees with similar experience and qualifications or the local prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of employment, whichever is higher. The employer must pay for non-productive time caused by the employer or by the worker's lack of a license or permit. The employer must offer the worker fringe benefits on the same basis as its other employees. Also, the employer may not require the worker to pay a penalty for leaving employment prior to any agreed date. However, this restriction does not preclude the employer from seeking "liquidated damages" pursuant to relevant state law. Liquidated damages are generally estimates stated in a contract of the anticipated damages to the employer caused by the worker's breach of contract.
hot 2000 Opel Vectra 2.0 DTI
ruchigup
08-22 03:54 PM
Ruchigup, Are you sending AC21 document? I am also leaving my current employer and taking AC21 route. I am retaining my lawyer. He is supportive and hopefully, will not ask retainer fee as he knows that i paid all my gc cost.
Can you please share your AC21 experience so far ? Is your new job exactly similar ?
I have not done AC21 yet. My join date is September 2nd. I am kind of planning to not file AC21.
Can you please share your AC21 experience so far ? Is your new job exactly similar ?
I have not done AC21 yet. My join date is September 2nd. I am kind of planning to not file AC21.
more...
house Sprzedam Opel Vectra 2.0 DTI
ramus
06-14 10:43 AM
Guys,
Don't create new thred for every single question you have.. You can find right thred and put it there..
Yes you can file for 485 even though your H1B extension is pending.
Hi,
My 8th year H1 extension is pending with CIS, and my current H1 expires on June 26, 07. Can I file my 485 when my H1 status is pending from CIS?
Please advise.:confused:
Don't create new thred for every single question you have.. You can find right thred and put it there..
Yes you can file for 485 even though your H1B extension is pending.
Hi,
My 8th year H1 extension is pending with CIS, and my current H1 expires on June 26, 07. Can I file my 485 when my H1 status is pending from CIS?
Please advise.:confused:
tattoo opel vectra caravan 2000 dti
flexi
04-08 09:27 PM
Hi there, thanks a lot for all your help - I won't start early at the second employer then but am still a little confused about how long it takes after filing the petition until i receive the receipt. One lawyer said we'd have to do premium processing since i will be back from Germany 4 weeks prior to switching jobs, but from what you guys said that shouldn't be necessary, correct? Thanks!
more...
pictures Opel vectra edition 2000 20
rani77
08-30 10:53 AM
Isnt recording conversations without the consent illegal? :confused:
This may be correct but , if you sent the tape of employer abusing /cursing its own employees to DOL along with other allegations , they might well pay special attention and scrutinize him or his company thoroghly.
This may be correct but , if you sent the tape of employer abusing /cursing its own employees to DOL along with other allegations , they might well pay special attention and scrutinize him or his company thoroghly.
dresses Used Opel Vectra 2000
mariner5555
05-07 01:41 PM
Forget to mention that you can port to self-employment :)
are you sure of this ..if yes, then how does one do that ..do you need to show you can make the salary mentioned on your own ??
are you sure of this ..if yes, then how does one do that ..do you need to show you can make the salary mentioned on your own ??
more...
makeup Used Opel Vectra 2000 diesel
frostrated
03-16 03:06 PM
please see below.
Background:
My wife and I are currently working on EADs obtained through my previous employer filing for my green card (eb3 India, pri date: dec 2005), my wife is a dependant on this greencard petition. We last re-entered US using our AP. Two years ago, more than six months after my I-140 got approved, I changed my employer (to a similar position in the IT field itself) and my new (and current) employer filed for AC-21. They have also obtained a I-797 for me as a backup which I have used. Also prior to getting my EAD, my wife worked on an H1 visa for a year and then we got EAD, she has been working on that ever since. Our EAD was recently submitted for renewal and will be valid for the next two years.
I got accepted into a fulltime MBA program in the US, which I am planning to attend. This would mean that I quit my current job and after the two years in MBA I will be joining a different employer in a different field (ie: I will be moving out of IT into something like finance). I am assuming transition to F1 is out of question since I have shown immigration intent
Questions:
1) Will it be legal for me to go fulltime to school on an AOS pending status? Yes you can go to school while in AOS. But you cant go to school full time when in AOS if you are the primary applicant. You need to be still employed full time in your line of work.
2) Will I have trouble, re-entering the US on an AP if I travel overseas during the time I am enrolled in school? Yes. Your AP is no longer valid, as you are no more working for the sponsor of your permanent residency.
3) Can I use this EAD card to go for an internship between my first and second year (the job will not be IT)? Only if you are a dependent of the primary applicant.
4) Can I use this EAD card to work fulltime after MBA graduation, provided it is still valid for a few more months (the job will not be IT)? Only if you are a dependent of the primary applicant.
5) If my post-MBA employer files for a greencard for me in the new position which is different from IT, will I be able to use my old priority date of Dec 2005? Yes you can. You will need to file a new labor, and request that they use the old priority date. You can also file in EB2 and request they use the EB3 filing date of Dec 2005.
6) To mitigate risk, my wife is planning to go into H1 so that I can get an H4 if going to school on EAD doesn't work. Is this strategy to use H1 during school time (and travel overseas and re-enter using H4) and use EAD while internship safe? Using H1 on your wife, and you being on H4 is safe. But you cannot use the EAD anymore. Your EAD is tied to your employment, unless you are the dependent on the primary applicant for AOS.
7) If my wife cannot find a H1 job, can she work on her EAD while I am also using EAD to go to school. No. When you quit working and go to school, both of you are in illegal status. To remain in status, she either needs to convert to H1 or you need to convert to F1 and have her here as F2. Best bet, is for her to convert to H1 and you to either H4 or F1.
8) I am assuming that for any EAD based status to work, I need to have a future job offer in the same category. My current employer will not do that.I can get a future job offer from a small IT consulting firm in the same IT field for which my greencard application was filed for. Will that be good enough to keep my EAD alive while in school? No. For your EAD to be valid, you still need to be working. Stopping work does not enable you to continue to be in EAD status.
Thanks SO much for answering. I have this wonderful opportunity in front of me and I really hope immigration will not be a road block to achieve my dreams.
Background:
My wife and I are currently working on EADs obtained through my previous employer filing for my green card (eb3 India, pri date: dec 2005), my wife is a dependant on this greencard petition. We last re-entered US using our AP. Two years ago, more than six months after my I-140 got approved, I changed my employer (to a similar position in the IT field itself) and my new (and current) employer filed for AC-21. They have also obtained a I-797 for me as a backup which I have used. Also prior to getting my EAD, my wife worked on an H1 visa for a year and then we got EAD, she has been working on that ever since. Our EAD was recently submitted for renewal and will be valid for the next two years.
I got accepted into a fulltime MBA program in the US, which I am planning to attend. This would mean that I quit my current job and after the two years in MBA I will be joining a different employer in a different field (ie: I will be moving out of IT into something like finance). I am assuming transition to F1 is out of question since I have shown immigration intent
Questions:
1) Will it be legal for me to go fulltime to school on an AOS pending status? Yes you can go to school while in AOS. But you cant go to school full time when in AOS if you are the primary applicant. You need to be still employed full time in your line of work.
2) Will I have trouble, re-entering the US on an AP if I travel overseas during the time I am enrolled in school? Yes. Your AP is no longer valid, as you are no more working for the sponsor of your permanent residency.
3) Can I use this EAD card to go for an internship between my first and second year (the job will not be IT)? Only if you are a dependent of the primary applicant.
4) Can I use this EAD card to work fulltime after MBA graduation, provided it is still valid for a few more months (the job will not be IT)? Only if you are a dependent of the primary applicant.
5) If my post-MBA employer files for a greencard for me in the new position which is different from IT, will I be able to use my old priority date of Dec 2005? Yes you can. You will need to file a new labor, and request that they use the old priority date. You can also file in EB2 and request they use the EB3 filing date of Dec 2005.
6) To mitigate risk, my wife is planning to go into H1 so that I can get an H4 if going to school on EAD doesn't work. Is this strategy to use H1 during school time (and travel overseas and re-enter using H4) and use EAD while internship safe? Using H1 on your wife, and you being on H4 is safe. But you cannot use the EAD anymore. Your EAD is tied to your employment, unless you are the dependent on the primary applicant for AOS.
7) If my wife cannot find a H1 job, can she work on her EAD while I am also using EAD to go to school. No. When you quit working and go to school, both of you are in illegal status. To remain in status, she either needs to convert to H1 or you need to convert to F1 and have her here as F2. Best bet, is for her to convert to H1 and you to either H4 or F1.
8) I am assuming that for any EAD based status to work, I need to have a future job offer in the same category. My current employer will not do that.I can get a future job offer from a small IT consulting firm in the same IT field for which my greencard application was filed for. Will that be good enough to keep my EAD alive while in school? No. For your EAD to be valid, you still need to be working. Stopping work does not enable you to continue to be in EAD status.
Thanks SO much for answering. I have this wonderful opportunity in front of me and I really hope immigration will not be a road block to achieve my dreams.
girlfriend OPEL Vectra 2.2 DTI (2000-2002
Humhongekamyab
11-10 03:04 PM
By volunteering she is taking away a job of a US worker so the answer is no.
hairstyles 2003 Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi
pappu
03-17 03:55 PM
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1294871282792.shtm
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
jonty_11
11-21 10:24 AM
I am a bit concerned that the debate has now been confined to H1B increase. I am not against that. but our cause seems to be slowly getting gropped from the tech lobby;s jargon. We may end up only seeing H1B relief in the Lame Duck session
neoklaus
11-14 02:19 PM
As per my family experience: for my husband and daughter they issued EADs without
FP 3 weeks befor FP app-t, but mine EAD was ordered, as I've been informed by e-mail,
in a 4 days after FP was done.
So, even if Biometricals are not mandatory for EAD, but EAD Card has place for FP on it,
in some cases they(USCIS) may pretend that there are a requirements( depends from officer)
FP 3 weeks befor FP app-t, but mine EAD was ordered, as I've been informed by e-mail,
in a 4 days after FP was done.
So, even if Biometricals are not mandatory for EAD, but EAD Card has place for FP on it,
in some cases they(USCIS) may pretend that there are a requirements( depends from officer)
No comments:
Post a Comment