May
29
The United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) has outlined a final fee schedule for the ‘Z’ visa. The press release is as follows:
USCIS Sets Final Fee Schedule to Build an Immigration Service for the 21st Century
Public comments prompt reduction in fees for some families applying for adjustment of status, expands fee waiver and exemption eligibility, permits one free extension of approved orphan petitions
WASHINGTON— Following a comprehensive review of more than 3,900 public comments, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today a final fee structure that includes benefits for some families with children and also expands the availability of fee waivers and exemptions.
The rule, scheduled to be published in tomorrow’s Federal Register, sets fees for the processing of immigration benefit applications and petitions and includes some substantive revisions from the proposal published in February of this year while providing necessary funding for the agency to continue strengthening the security and integrity of the immigration system, improving customer service, and modernizing business operations for the 21st century. Read more
May
25
White House Explains ‘Z’ Visa
Filed Under Immigration News, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
The White House has released a fact sheet responding to key myths related to the ‘Z’ Visa / Strive Act in an effort to inform the public on the new bill.
The full article is as follows:
Fact sheet In Focus: Immigration
1. MYTH: Ending the current green card backlog would result in 900,000 new residents per year on top of current numbers.
* FACT: The current proposal aims to end the green card backlog in eight years. However, this does not mean that 3.5 to 4 million people over the current number will be admitted into the country. The backlog will be cleared in two ways:
1. 240,000 green cards are being shifted from other priorities within the existing green card pool. This is important – it does not represent an increase in the number of green cards given, it is simply a reallocation of green cards that are authorized for issuance within the current system.
2. Separately, the number of green cards will be temporarily increased by 200,000 for each of the eight years after the enactment of the bill. This is an increase, but it does not mean 200,000 applicants plus their spouses and children. It is 200,000 new people total. Read more
May
21
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sent a letter to US Senate leaders in support of the comprehensive immigration reform bill, aka the Strive Act or the Z Visa. The Governor is urging Congress to pass the comprehensive immigration reform bill within the year (07).
The letter reads as follows:
The Honorable Harry Reid
United States Senate
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senate
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Senator McConnell,
I am writing to urge Congress to act this year to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
We must find a permanent solution to our broken immigration system, and I believe that this is our chance to restore America’s status as both a country of immigrants and a nation of laws. Read more
May
18
Z Visa Faces Tough Opposition
Filed Under Immigration News, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
The ‘Z’ visa, part of the upcoming Strive Act, is already facing tough opposition by anti-immigration groups who are accusing the act of being nothing more than an amnesty for those who have broken the law by living and working illegally in the US.
A coalition of Republicans and Democrats unveiled the comprehensive immigration reform on Thursday (17MAY07) to a chorus of criticism from both the left and right elements of the political spectrum.
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) says, “This is far from over,” adding that the new bill is, “amnesty, amnesty and amnesty.”
Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada expressed “serious concerns about some aspects of this proposal, including the structure of the temporary worker program and undue limitations on family immigration.” Read more
May
4
Z-Visa - The Strive Act - H-2C Visa
Filed Under H-2C Visa, Immigration News, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
The Strive Act (The Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act, H.R. 1645) is a comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced to the House in March (22MAR07) by Republican Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ) and Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez.
The bill introduces a new H-2C work visa, created with the aim of helping illegal immigrants (including British, Irish, Mexican etc undocumented workers) become legalized citizens. In order to become legal residents, undocumented workers would have to return to their country of origin and submit the correct paperwork and fees to apply to come back into the US on the H-2C visa.
The H-2C visa lasts three years, after which it can be renewed once for another three years. During that six year period, workers can apply for a Green Card, either by themselves or through an employer.
Click here for an update on the Strive Act and the Z Visa.