The Business Immigration Monthly is Hammond Law Group’s latest web-based newsletter, 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. Featured Article 
September Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has released the September Visa Bulletin. Surprisingly, not all categories are unavailable. The EB1 category across the board is retrogressed until January 1, 2007. EB2 for all countries except China and India are retrogressed until January 1, 2007; China is retrogressed until January 1, 2006, India until April 1, 2004. All EB3 categories remain unavailable except All Chargeability Areas and the Philippines which are both backed up until August 1, 2002.
For full visa bulletin see: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3761.html USCIS Issues Receipt Notice Update
Due to the large number of receipt filings, the USCIS is experiencing a backlog on the issuance or receipt notices. As such, the USCIS has released a press release updating the public on the date of data entry completed for certain petitions at each service center. Of particular importance, both the Nebraska and Texas service center have entered the data for all I-485, adjustment of status petitions based on employment received on or before July 24, 2007 and June 30, 2007 respectively. For the update on data entry dates of other petitions see: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ReceiptingTimes082407.pdf
Permanent Resident Cards Without Expiration Dates to be Replaced
The USCIS has announced a proposal replacing nearly 750,000 green cards that were issued between 1979 and 1989 that fail to have an expiration date. The proposed rule requires holders of such Green Cards to file an Application to Replace Lawful Permanent Residence card (Form I-90) within a 120-day filing period. The proposed rule is up for public comment until Sept. 21, 2007. Only in August 1989 did the INS start issuing green cards with 10 year expiration date, requiring residents to periodically renew their cards.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/I551Replacement.pdf
SEIU Files Lawsuit Against USCIS for Illegally Raising Filing Fees
The Services Employees International Union (SEIU) filed a federal lawsuit on August 28th against the USCIS claiming that the agency had overstepped its role by raising filing fees on July 30th beyond the basic processing costs. SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina comments, “Everyone is willing to pay fair fees for fair services but USCIS delivers bad service at an outrageous price. For an Administration that claims to promote integration and a pathway to the American Dream, USCIS’s choice to burden hard-working, law-abiding immigrants with the costs of their own incompetence is shameful.”
For more information about the lawsuit and SEIU’s stance see: http://seiu.org/media/pressreleases.cfm?pr_id=1476 http://www.bibdaily.com/pdfs/SEIU%20v%20Chertoff%20cmpl.pdf
Microsoft Hires Lobbyist for Visa Issues
One of the biggest players in the immigration world, Microsoft Corporation, has hired SC Partners LLC to lobby the federal government on various immigration matters, including issues related to temporary visas and green cards for workers in the IT industry. About one-third of Microsoft’s 46,000 US workforce are on nonimmigrant work visas or are legal permanent residents with green cards. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/24/ap4052880.html
2009 Diversity Lottery Dates Released
The Department of State has released instructions for the Diversity Lottery for fiscal year 2009. The lottery will begin at noon EDT on October 3, 2007 and end at noon EST on December 2, 2007.
For more information see: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html Save the date: Friday, November 16, 2007 HLG Immigration Forum in New Jersey
Hammond Law Group will be hosting its annual New Jersey Forum on Friday, November 16. Please save the date and look for details in an upcoming e-mail announcement. Hammond Law Group, LLC Event Calendar http://www.HammondLawFirm.com | 
