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January 08, 2012 - United States

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it intends to change a rule related to waivers which would allow families to remain together in the United States while applying for the waiver. Under the current rule, the waiver applicant must depart from the United States prior to submitting the waiver, which often causes familial separation of months or even years.

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December 18, 2011 - United States

On December 9 2011, The Department of State released its annual report of family and employment-based immigrant visa applicants registered at the National Visa Center. The report can be found at the following link: http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=37889

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December 11, 2011 - Australia

In 2011–12, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will reevaluate the "Professional Year" program. The purpose of this reassessment will be to determine if the "Professional Year" program is achieving its originally intended objectives and also identify potential improvements to the program.

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December 04, 2011 - United States

USCIS announced on November 23, 2011, that the H-1B cap was reached for Fiscal Year 2012.

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November 27, 2011 - Australia

Based on current statistics and anticipated application rates,the Department of Immigration and Citizenship expects to commence processing of some Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration applications this year. Currently, there are approximately 27,347 applications lodged from within Australia and 15,284 applications lodged from outside Australia that arePriority Group 5 cases awaiting processing.

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November 20, 2011 - United States

This past week the Department of Homeland Security began a review process of current immigration court cases in order to determine which cases should be closed and which should continue to be processed. The US Government immigration attorneys also received additional guidance on how to decide which cases should be closed.

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November 20, 2011 - United States

On November 1, 2011, USCIS introduced a new version of Form I-693, used to report results of medical examinations for those seeking certain immigration benefits. Beginning January 1, 2012, physicians must use the new version of the form. Otherwise, USCIS will reject the form, requiring the applicant to return to the physician and resubmit the new form.

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November 13, 2011 - Australia

AUSTRALIA - Employers may now apply for "Accredited Status," which will qualify them for priority processing for all subclass 457 nominations and visa applications.

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November 06, 2011 - United States

The United States Citizen and Immigration Service ("USCIS")announced an http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?ocid=37531 18-month extension of the Temporary Protected Status ("TPS") designations for citizens of Honduras and Nicaragua, beginning on January 6, 2012.

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November 06, 2011 - Australia

Starting November 5, 2011, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will accept test results from some Student visa applicants which required providing the results of an English language test.

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October 30, 2011 - United States

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is operating with reduced staffing from October 27 to October 31, 2011 due to the extreme flooding in the area. Essential services to American citizens will still be provided during this time.

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October 16, 2011 - United States

The state of South Carolina is now the most recent state to adopt harsh new laws aimed at immigrants that do not hold a valid US Visa. The new laws are set to take effect in January 2012

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October 09, 2011 - United State

As many states continue to enact their own immigration policies, the state of Rhode Island recently announced that they will allow illegal immigrants to attend Rhode Island's public universities at the same cost as other legal residents.

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October 02, 2011 - United State

The 2013 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2013) will open at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and will close at noon, EDT, Saturday, November 5, 2011. Applicants must submit entries electronically during this registration period using the electronic DV entry form (E-DV) at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Paper entries will not be accepted.

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October 02, 2011 - Australia

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has announced changes to the location of some visa and citizenship processing as part of the DIAC Transformation Program. To see the details of these changes, please visit http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/new-visa-processing.htm

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September 25, 2011 - United States

USA - More than 27,000 people became American citizens during 285 naturalization ceremonies held across the country in honor of Citizenship Day on September 17.

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September 18, 2011 - Australia

On Saturday, September 17, as part of Australian Citizenship Day, more than 4000 people from 115 countries will become citizens at some 120 ceremonies across Australia.

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September 18, 2011 - Australia

A summary of current immigration statistics including permanent additions, settler arrivals, permanent departures, visitors, students and business visas was just released by the Australian Government. These statistics can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/

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September 18, 2011 - United States

The Department of State has informed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that all employment-based immigrant visas have been distributed for fiscal year 2011. Applicants should note that USCIS will continue accepting adjustment of status applications based on the September visa bulletin through the entire month of September.

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September 11, 2011 - United States

The U.S. Department of State recently announced that effective October 1, 2011, the embassies in Copenhagen and Oslo will no longer process immigrant visa (IV) or diversity visa (DV) applicants. All interviews and adjudications for IV and DV applicants from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will take place at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

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September 04, 2011 - United States

The State of Alabama recently tried to pass an extremely harsh anti-immigration law, which requires local police officers to verify the immigration status of those stopped for traffic violations, public schools to determine the immigration status of students, and those who knowingly rent to, transport or harbor undocumented immigrants to be criminally punished. In response, the Federal Government challenged this law, and the federal judge hearing the case issued a temporary order preventing the law from going into effect on September 1, 2011. The final decision on the case will likely be made in the coming months.

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September 04, 2011 - United States

Upcoming Deadline to File for Survivor Benefits for Widows and Widowers of U.S. Citizens

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August 28, 2011 - United States

A Spanish-language version of E-Verify Self Check has been launched by the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Now both English and Spanish speakers can use the internet-based "E-Verify Self Check" system to find out whether they can work legally in the US or not. The system also helps users to properly complete the appropriate forms.

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August 28, 2011 - United States

Due to Hurricane Irene, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas has suspended all regular consular services, including visa interviews, until further notice. DOS has also approved the authorized departure of dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel.

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August 21, 2011 - Australia

On July 19, 2011, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced the inclusion of Perth in the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS). The minister also agreed to include Perth as a regional area for family sponsored applications through the regional General Skilled Migration (GSM) programs. More details are expected to be announced by the Australian Government in the near future.

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August 21, 2011 - United States

USCIS will prioritize the processing of naturalization (N-400) applications for certain SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients whose SSI benefits will be terminated within one year of the date listed on their SSI notice and whose N-400 has been pending for four months or more.

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August 14, 2011 - United States

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services ("USCIS") recently launched a data report web page on the internet. As a result, internet users may now access USCIS data showing success rates and other statistics of all different types of immigration applications. This information may be found at www.uscis.gov

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August 14, 2011 - United States

On August 2, 2011, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an initiative to encourage immigrant entrepreneurs and start-up companies to the United States. This USCIS initiative will be especially helpful to people from countries like India, with whom the U.S. does not have an E visa treaty to allow for the E-1 (Treaty Trader) or E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas. Now citizens of these and other countries may be able to invest money in the U.S. and potentially qualify as entrepreneurs for both the H-1B visa and permanent residence.

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August 14, 2011 - United States

The USCIS explains that a business owner can establish an “employer-employee relationship” by showing that the company has a separate board of directors with power over the owner-investor. H-1B visa status may then lead to a green card. Based on this announcement, an entrepreneur may be able to qualify for the green card in the EB-2 preference category as a person with Exceptional Ability or a person whose work will benefit the U.S. in the national interest (National Interest Waiver).

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August 8, 2011 - United States

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that effective Aug. 15, 2011, petitioners residing in countries without USCIS offices will need to file a Petition for an Alien Relative (Form I-130), with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility. This will increase the efficiency of the relative petition filing process and give USCIS more flexibility in managing its workload. Consequently, as of August 15, 2011, these petitioners will no longer be able to file their family-based applications at their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

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August 8, 2011 - United States

CBP Announces Global Entry Available at Canadian Preclearance Locations U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that Global Entry kiosks are now available at CBP preclearance at Vancouver International Airport and Ottawa’s MacDonald-Cartier Airport,and will be available at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport and Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport by September. Global Entry is a voluntary pilot program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self service kiosks located at 20 major U.S. airports. The program allows members to bypass the regular line, and currently reduces average wait times by 70%. Preclearance offers a convenience to travelers arriving in the U.S. by completing all customs, immigration and agriculture inspections prior to arriving at a U.S. port of entry. Global Entry is available to U.S. citizens and U.S lawful permanent residents, as well as Mexican nationals. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Dutch Privium program in Amsterdam. Canadian citizens and residents may participate in Global Entry through membership in the NEXUS program.

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August 07, 2011 - United States

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced that effective Aug. 15, 2011, petitioners residing in countries without USCIS offices will need to file a Petition for an Alien Relative (Form I-130), with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility. This will increase the efficiency of the relative petition filing process and give USCIS more flexibility in managing its workload.
Consequently, as of August 15, 2011, these petitioners will no longer be able to file their family-based applications at their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

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July 31, 2011 - United States

DOS Announces Visa Issuance Agreement Between U.S. and Russian Federation - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced an agreement on the issuance of nonimmigrant business, tourist, private, and humanitarian visas to the Russian Federation, and on business and tourist visas to the U.S. as well as short-term official travel visas to both countries.According to DOS, the agreement will facilitate travel between the two countries by granting as a rule, on a reciprocal basis, multiple entry visas valid for 36 months. The agreement also reduces the documentation required. This agreement will go into effect after an exchange of diplomatic notes in Moscow.

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July 26, 2011 - United States

On July 26, President Obama appeared and spoke in support of immigration reform at a protest outside the White House. The mostly Hispanic protesters were demanding an overhaul to the US immigration system,which President Obama supports and is likely to be a crucial issue in the upcoming 2012 presidential elections.

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July 25, 2011 - United States

ICE To audit 1,000 employers nationwide for I-9 violations The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that it is auditing approximately 1,000 U.S. employers, of all sizes and in every state, to ensure compliance with I-9 employment authorization verification procedures. ICE has not specified which companies are affected, but it is expected to be focusing on critical sectors.

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July 22, 2011 - United States

FY2012 H-1B Cap Count As of July 22, 2011, approximately 21,600 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Additionally, USCIS has receipted 13,300 H-1B petitions for foreign nationals with advanced degrees.

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DCLO Newsletter December 2011 Articles

Mission Statement:

DCLO is committed to providing a smooth and seamless legal immigration process through our experience, expertise and knowledge. We help you realize your goals of living, working and learning globally.

WHO WE ARE?

Dotan Cohen Law Offices (DCLO) is an international law firm devoted to the practice of Immigration and Relocation Law, helping our clients to ultimately get from point A to B as conveniently and hassle free as possible. DCLO started out as niche law firm providing work VISA's for employees of International companies which needed to travel abroad. We have since developed into a full service Immigration and Relocation law firm.

Our attorneys are dedicated to taking special care of all our clients’ needs; whether they are individuals, small companies, or large corporations. Therefore, allowing our clients to bridge borders and move freely around the world. Our successes are attributed to always carefully paying attention to every detail and utilizing our experience and expertise to assist our clients in reaching their immigration goals.

At DCLO we are committed to responding promptly to all of our clients’ needs, by using cutting edge technology and efficient methods to provide services in a timely, client-oriented manner and in an ethical, friendly, and professional environment. Our success is a result of our staffs dedicated determination to achieving the objectives of our clients.

WHAT WE DO?

Featured Services

•		Nonimmigrant and immigrant visas to the United States

•		Work permits for the United States

•		United Kingdom visas of all types

•		Australian Migration of all types

•		Employment based and family based green cards to the United States

•		Extraordinary ability visas and green cards for top rated specialists

•		Work visas to various Western and Eastern European Countries, and South America

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