The Business Immigration Monthly is Hammond Law Group’s latest news eZine, directed at international workers and employers seeking the most up-to-date news on U.S. immigration issues, specifically those that impact workers on H, L, E, and O visas and workers seeking permanent residency. DECEMBER FEATURED ARTICLE Written by Amy Dalal, Attorney Hammond Law Group, LLC 
JANUARY VISA BULLETIN RELEASED
The Department of State has released the January Visa Bulletin. Unfortunately, the Bulletin shows little movement in any of the categories.
See: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/Visa_Bulletin_For_January_2007.html
CONGRESS CLOSES FOR HOLIDAYS WITHOUT ENACTING ANY H-1B OR GREEN CARD RELIEF
Despite the lobbying efforts of immigration supporters and advocates, Congress adjourned for the holidays on December 9th without passing any H-1B or Green Card relief to eliminate the backlogs. However, Congress’ failure to address these issues does not necessarily mean that they are opposed to them, but could be a reflection of the political constraints, or the desire to adjourn early by Republicans. Either way, although no relief will be passed this year, the push for comprehensive immigration reform will forge ahead in the coming year by HLG and others.
See: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/12.11.2006_hcalert.htm
FEES FOR GREEN CARD PETITIONS AND CITIZENSHIP SET TO RISE IN THE SPRING
In a recent announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Emilio Gonzalez announced that the fees immigrants pay for permanent residency and citizenship petitions will rise in an effort to prevent more backlogs in the system. “I envision that it’ll go up a fair amount, “commented Director Gonzalez, “We’re a business. We’re not allowed to be deficient.” New prices could go into effect as soon as April 2007. Currently, immigrants are paying filing fees in the amounts of $330 for citizenship petitions, $325 for Adjustment of Status Green Card petitions, and $70 in fingerprinting fees.
For more information see article by Anabelle Gray in the Seattle-Post Intelligencer found here: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Immigration_Fees.html
CENTRAL REPOSITORY CREATED FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS
The USCIS has published notice in the Federal Register announcing the creation of the Background Check Service as a centralized repository for data on background checks, both requests and results, effective January 3, 2007. The Background Check Service was implemented to assist in the adjudication process and to facilitate informed decision-making by Service officers.
http://www.ilw.com/immigdaily/news/2006,1205-background.shtm
FIRST PHASE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE FINALIZED
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have finalized the first part of their joint effort known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Effective January 23, 2007, all US citizens and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico departing from or entering the US from within the Western Hemisphere at air ports-of-entry will be required to present a valid passport.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/76752.htm
USCIS TO REDESIGN NATURALIZATION TEST
In a press release dated November 30, 2006, the USCIS announced plans to redesign the naturalization test in an effort to make the test and testing process standardized, fair and meaningful. Elaborating further, the Service writes “[a] standardized and fair naturalization test will include uniform testing protocols and procedures nationwide to ensure that there is no variation between offices. A meaningful test will encourage civic learning and patriotism among prospective citizens. A revised test, with an emphasis on the fundamental concepts of American democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, will help to encourage citizenship applicants to learn and identify with the basic values that we all share as Americans.”
For further information about the redesigned test please see: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/FactSheetNatzTest113006.pdf
“COMPETING FOR GLOBAL TALENT: The Race Begins with Foreign Students”
In a recent article in the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) Fall 2006 Newsletter, entitled “Competing for Global Talent: The Race Begins with Foreign Students”, AILF comments on the recent decline in foreign student enrollment in US colleges and universities. The author writes
“[r]ecognizing that today’s foreign students are potential contributors to the American knowledge- based economy, as well as ambassadors of public diplomacy abroad, it is in the national interest of the United States to maintain its historical openness to foreign students.” The article mentions a study conducted by the Institute of International Education which serves as evidence of the significant drop in foreign student enrollment in the US.
For full article see: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/monthly/competing_for_global_talent.pdf
HAMMOND LAW GROUP WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND ITS WARMEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOURS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!!
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