Question: I understand that there are usually a lot of immigration laws that pass and either help or hurt immigrants. Now that we are in 2003, can you give a summary of some of the highlights of immigration regulations which were considered or passed in 2002?
ANSWER: The regulations issued during the 107th Congressional session have an immediate effect on foreign workers’ ability to obtain visas, enter, and remain in the United States in valid status. Human resources personnel should therefore expect to receive numerous questions about the scope of these new rules. The following is a brief overview of some of the more important immigration-related and business immigration-related regulations the INS and other agencies issued during the past year:
The Department of State raised Fees for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing: The State Department raised the machine-readable visa (MRV) fee charged for the processing of a nonimmigrant visa, or a combined nonimmigrant visa and border crossing card application, from $65 to $100, effective November 1.
Special Registration: The INS, on August 12, finalized a rule that requires certain nonimmigrants to undergo various registration processes, and imposes sanctions on those who do not follow the processes. Four groups so far have been ordered to Special Register.
Change of Address Notification: A July 26 INS proposed rule would require every applicant for immigration benefits to acknowledge having received notice that he or she is required to provide a valid current address to the Service, including any change of address, within 10 days of the change. In absentia removal orders could flow from failure to so provide.
Concurrent Filing: A July 31 INS interim rule provides that an Immigrant Petition for an Alien Worker (Form I-140) and an Adjustment of Status application (Form I-485) may now be filed concurrently when a visa number is immediately available. In addition, eligible individuals with I-140 petitions pending on July 31 may now file the I-485 and associated forms. The rule took effect upon publication.
Proposed PERM Rule on Labor Certification for Permanent Employment: The DOL, on May 6, published the proposed ‘PERM’ rule that would amend the agency’s regulations governing the filing and processing of labor certification applications for permanent employment in the U.S. The rule would also amend the regulations governing an employer’s wage obligation under the H-1B program. The final PERM rule is expected to be published in April 2003 and to take effect in July.
Foreign Health Care Workers: An October 11 INS proposed rule would implement a process for the certification of certain foreign health care workers, and would add a requirement that all nonimmigrants coming to the U.S. to work as health care workers, including those seeking change of status, be required to submit a certification. This rule is not yet in effect.
B-2 Visitors Visa: An April 12 INS proposed rule would eliminate the minimum admission period for B-2 nonimmigrant visitors, reduce the maximum admission period for B-1 and B-2 visitors, and restrict B visitors’ ability to extend stay or change to student status. This rule is not yet in effect.
Adjustment of Status under LIFE: The INS issued a final rule on June 4, implementing the adjustment of status application procedures under the LIFE Act’s ‘late legalization’ provisions. The rule extends the filing deadline to June 4, 2003, and makes various other changes based on comments received to the interim rule.
S Nonimmigrant Visa: The State Department, on November 4, finalized a rule implementing the ‘S’ nonimmigrant visa program. The S visa category is available to nonimmigrants determined by the Attorney General to have critical and reliable information concerning a criminal organization or enterprise.
Passenger Manifest Requirements: On January 3, 2003, the INS issued a proposed rule requiring all commercial carriers to submit a detailed passenger manifest electronically before either departing from or arriving in the United States. The information required for each passenger includes: complete name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number and country of issuance, country of residence, U.S. visa information, address while in the U.S; and other necessary information. The rule took affect January 1, 2003.
Border Crossing Cards: The INS promulgated an interim rule that establishes procedures to terminate the use of current non-biometric border crossing cards (BCCs), eliminates certain former versions of BCCs, and clarifies the validity period of waivers of inadmissibility. The rule took effect retroactive to October 1.
State and Local Law Enforcement of Civil Violations of Immigration Law: The Justice Department, on July 24, finalized a rule permitting the Attorney General to authorize any state or local law enforcement officer, with the consent of those whose jurisdiction the individual is serving, to perform certain functions related to the enforcement of the immigration laws during the period of a declared “mass influx of aliens.”
As you can see there are lots of changes in the law. Hopefully, the new laws coming will have a positive impact on immigrants.
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