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E-Filing Part II

Question: I understand that E-filing has begun. However, I am confused on what exactly it is, and what types of applications can be filed.

Answer: Each year the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) receives approximately seven million applications for immigration benefits. BCIS has now developed the technology to accept electronic filing of certain applications for immigration benefits. This technology improves both customer service and BCIS’ ability to verify the identity of individuals in the future. E-filing – combined with the collection and storage of an applicant’s digital photograph, signature, and fingerprint – allows the BCIS to produce immigration documents with special security features. Applications that can be filed online are forms I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and I-90 (Application for Replacement of Green Card). These two forms represent approximately 30% of the total number of benefit applications filed with BCIS annually.

Question: What must the applicant do to apply for this?

Answer: E-filing is quick, easy and convenient for applicants because it allows them, or their representatives, to complete and submit applications at any time, from any computer with Internet access. Upon completion of the e-filing session, customers will receive instant electronic confirmation that the application was received. Customers can then schedule themselves for an appointment to visit an Application Support Center for collection of a digital photograph, signature, and fingerprint.

For those who file electronically, BCIS confirms the identity of the customer early in the application process. BCIS also electronically collects a photograph, signature, and fingerprint for the individual. These biometrics are stored and can be used later for verification of the person’s identity.

Question: Are there any other forms available for electronic filing?

Answer: Presently no. However, BCIS intends to add electronic filing capabilities for additional forms in the Fall of 2003. Additional forms include: Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; and Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing.

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The new T Visa for victims of Severe Trafficking

Question: I have a friend that has been in a most unfortunate circumstance. She was actually kidnapped from her home and sold into the underground world of sex slaves. Somehow, she escaped and fled to the U.S. She has no higher education or any job skills and no other family in the U.S. Is there anything she can do to stay here in the U.S.?

Answer: Yes, there is a new visa named the T Visa. To qualify, the person must be a victim of severe trafficking in persons. This can be a sex slave as you have mentioned, or it can be other forms of trafficking in persons such as slaves or involuntary servitude of any kind. The services provided must have been done under coercion or force.

Question: What must my friend do to avail herself of this T Visa?

Answer: First, she must be a victim of severe trafficking of persons. Next, she must be physically in the U.S. on account of such trafficking. If she is older than 15 years old, she must have tried to get the law enforcement officials in her home country to try to stop the acts. She must also show that if removed, she will suffer extreme hardship and harm. The application must be filed at the INS Service Center where she is present.

Question: My friend is too young to make it by herself, even if she gets the T Visa. Can her parents come and help and live with her?

Answer: Yes, the family members of a T Visa holder can get what is known as derivative status. This means that the parents and children (if they exist) can apply for the derivative T Visa. This is unique in visas. Normally, the parents do not derive any benefits from a visa obtained by their child. However, in this case, because of the nature of the visa, Congress has sought to allow parents to avail of this relief. The derivative applications must be sent along with the original application by the primary applicant.

Question: How long will my friend be able to stay on T status?

Answer: It can be issued for up to three years. There is no renewing this visa. However, after the three years, your friend can apply for Lawful Permanent Residency. Additionally, as long as the principal applicant (your friend) remains eligible, the family members also on T Visa can apply for Lawful Permanent Residency themselves.

Question: Assuming my friend gets the visa, is she guaranteed to get the Green Card?

Answer: Unfortunately, there is never a guarantee when it comes to immigration. However, in this case, there are specific provisions that allow INS to revoke or take away the visa status. The regulations do not specifically state how or why INS would revoke it, but assumably if the threat no longer exists, or they found out that it was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, they could decide to revoke the visa. If this happens, they could be removed from the U.S. However, on the whole, this T Visa appears to benefit people who suffer extreme and outrageous conduct by other people. This is the United States stating to the world that anyone who is subjected to this cruelty will be welcome and allowed inside the U.S.

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Immigration Article: How to come to the U.S. without a degree or experience

Question: I have tried to come to the U.S. many times, but only to get refused by the U.S. embassy. I have been told that I do not qualify for an H-1B or Specialty Occupation Work Visa because I do not have a college degree. I have been told that I cannot get a Labor Certification for the Green Card because I have no experience and I have been told that I cannot work on a Student Visa. I really want to come to the United States, but do not know how. Can you suggest any options?

Answer: Yes, there is a visa known as the H-3 Visa. It is known as the trainee visa. What this means is that you can come to the United States in order to get training in a field that interest you.

Question: Are you allowed to work on this visa?

Answer: First, the visa is not primarily for working. However, as long as there is a program that you will be trained, then work can be done in order to supplement and understand the training. Thus, there will be a portion of each day that will be devoted to working. You can get paid for this work.

Question: What if the company does not have a training program?

Answer: It is not necessary that they already have a training program. However, if they already have one in existence, then it would go smoother. However, the training program can be established for the first time so that you can come to the U.S. to get the training with the necessary work support to understand the training.

Question: What types of positions will qualify for the H-3 Visa?

Answer: There is not any particular position. That is why this is such a nice visa. It can be computer related, managerial related, medical, operational, clerking, warehousing, and so on.

Question: How long does this visa last for?

Answer: Normally, it lasts for up to two years. But you want to keep something in mind. First, as long as you leave the U.S. prior to the actual two years has been completed, you can return to the U.S. at any time afterwards with a valid visa. However, if you actually stay the entire two years, you must stay outside of the U.S. for six months.

Question: Is there anyway to change your status to another visa after you would get the H-3?

Answer: Yes, you can change or adjust your status when you’re on the H-3. For example, part of your training might be to complete your degree. Once that happened, then you could change for H-3 to H-1B which is a working visa. You could also change it to a myriad of different other types of visas. This visa is a very nice one for people in your situation and all you need is a company willing to sponsor you for this visa with the intention to train you for some type of position. You should inquire into this visa so that you are not stuck outside the U.S.

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Title: Can I win the Lottery?

Title: Can I win the Lottery?

Question: I have heard a lot about the Diversity Lottery. Can you explain what that is?

Answer: Yes. The diversity lottery is very much what its name implies. It is a lottery that people enter in order to get picked by the United States and to become Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States. It makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Approximately 111,000 applicants have been registered and notified and may now make an application for an immigrant visa. Since it is likely that some of the first 50,000 persons registered will not pursue their cases to visa issuance, this larger figure should insure that all DV-2004 numbers will be used during fiscal year 2004 (October 1, 2003 until September 30, 2004).

Question: How exactly does it work?

Answer: Applicants registered for the DV-2004 program were selected at random from the approximately 7.3 million qualified entries received during the one-month application period that ran from Noon on October 7, 2002 through Noon on November 6, 2002. An additional 2.9 million applications were either received outside of the mail-in period or were disqualified for failing to properly follow directions. The visas have been apportioned among six geographic regions, with a maximum of seven percent available to persons born in any single country.

Question: If someone is selected for the lottery, are there any qualifications that need to be presented?

Answer: During the visa interview, principal applicants must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent or show two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years. Those selected will need to act on their immigrant visa applications quickly. Applicants should follow the instructions in their notification letter and must fully complete the information requested.

Question: Does someone from the Philippines qualify to enter the Diversity Lottery?

Answer: Unfortunately not. The Philippines has a high rate of immigration to the United States, and therefore, they will not qualify. However, spouses from qualifying countries can apply. Also, friends from other countries should take advantage of this program.

Question: When does the next Diversity Lottery begin?

Answer: They may try for the upcoming DV-2005 lottery if they wish. The exact dates for the mail-in period for the DV-2005 lottery program will be widely publicized during August 2003. Normally, the mail-in period is for one month beginning sometime in October.

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Title: You mean I don’t have to go back?

Question: I have been here for several months on a Visitor Visa and have found that I love the U.S. I do not want to return to my home country. I have a Visa that states it is a Multiple Entry Visitor Visa for the next ten years. However, when I entered the U.S., I was given a white card that states that I must leave by next month. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: First, while you get the Visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy, it is the INS who actually controls how long you will stay in the U.S. They are the organization that you must pass at any port of entry into the U.S. A port of entry can be by road (i.e., from Canada or Mexico), or by airport (anywhere in the world.) When you enter the U.S., the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) will issue what is known as an I-94. This is a white card that is stapled to your passport. It will state exactly when you are authorized to stay in the U.S. If the visa in your passport lasts longer than the I-94, that is irrelevant. Further, if your passport expires during your stay in the U.S. that is also irrelevant as long as the time on your I-94 is still available.

You can file for a change of status. What this means is that as long as the application to change your status is done PRIOR to the expiration of your current stay, you will be able to remain in the U.S. while that application for change of status is being ruled upon.

Question: I read somewhere that the INS wants these type of applications at least 45 days before the expiration of your status. Is that true?

Answer: Normally that is true. However, the law is very specific. As long as you are currently in status at the time the application is received by INS, it will be timely. As a matter of fact, there have been many occasion when my office gets someone in the day before expiration of their status. We prepare the application and actually have it hand delivered on the day of expiration. In that event, it is still timely.

Question: What are the possibilities for changing my status and what types of applications will work?

Answer: Actually, there is a variety of different applications you can do. There are many different kinds of work visas such as the H-1B, H-2B, O-1, P-1 and so on. You can also change to a Student Status such as F-1 or M-1. To change to a working status you would need an employer who would agree to sponsor you. To change to a Student Status, you would need to get the I-20 from a school and then have that submitted with the application for Change of Status.

Question: Once I file the application for Change of Status can I start working or going to school right away?

Answer: No. You must wait while INS rules on the matter. However, you are given an automatic extension of your current status while the Change of Status is pending. Therefore, if you want to stay in the U.S. and your current status is about to expire, there are many ways to change your status and you should take advantage of the appropriate one.

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I can file online!

Question: I have heard that in the past the USCIS has accepted work permit applications online and that this program has been very effective. Why do they not accept more types of forms online?

Answer: Actually, USCIS expanded their e-filing service online as of May 26, 2004. Now, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) include six new forms for customers to apply for immigration benefits online to expand its E-Filing program.

Initially, when the Internet-based customer service initiative began last year (May 2003), it allowed customers to file for two of the most frequently used applications online: Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) and Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765).

With the addition of the six new forms online, E-Filing now supports eight forms that account for more than 50% of the total volume of benefits applications USCIS receives annually. Since the establishment of E-Filing, more than 115,000 customers have chosen to apply online for immigration benefits.

Question: Can you let me know which new forms are now accepted online?

Answer: Form I-90, Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card; Form I-765, Application for Employment; Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status; Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; Form I-907 and Request for Premium Processing Service Why Use E-Filing.

Question: Is E-filing difficult to do?

Answer: E-Filing is quick, easy and convenient because it allows you to complete and submit applications at any time, from any computer with Internet access. After filing online, you will receive instant electronic confirmation that your applications were received. You can then schedule an appointment, if necessary, to visit an Application Support Center at a convenient time – by calling the National Customer Service Center. You can schedule the appointment for the collection of a digital photograph, signature, and fingerprints. You would pay fees online with a credit or debit card or through the electronic transfer of U.S. funds from your checking or savings account. You do not need to obtain a money order or a cashier’s check.

How can I be reunited with my family?

 Question: I am a Lawful Permanent Resident and have petitioned my spouse and child years ago. However, I am heartbroken because I have not been with them in years. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) established a nonimmigrant category within the immigration law that allows the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen to be admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant category. The admission allows the spouse or child to complete processing for permanent residence while in the United States. It also allows those admitted in the new category to have permission for employment while they await processing of their case to permanent resident status.

The Visa classification is known as the K-3/4 nonimmigrants. The K3 applies to the spouse and the K4 applies to the children.

Question: Who is Eligible?

Answer: A person may receive a K-3 visa if that person: 1) Has concluded a valid marriage with a citizen of the United States; 2) has a relative petition (Form I-130) filed by the U.S. citizen spouse for the person; 3) seeks to enter the United States to await the approval of the petition and subsequent lawful permanent resident status, and, has an approved Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancée, forwarded to the American consulate abroad where the alien wishes to apply for the K-3/K-4 visa. The consulate must be in the country in which the marriage to the U.S. citizen took place if the United States has a consulate which issues immigrant visas in that country. If the marriage took place in the United States, the designated consulate is the one with jurisdiction over the current residence of the alien spouse,

A person may receive a K-4 visa, if that person is under 21 years of age and is the unmarried child of an alien eligible to be a K-3.

Question: How Do I Apply?

Answer: So that the alien spouse and child may apply for a K-3 nonimmigrant visa for a spouse and a K-4 nonimmigrant visa for a child, the citizen must file the necessary forms on behalf of the alien spouse with the applicable Service Center having jurisdiction over the citizen’s place of residence. The citizen petitioner will then receive a Form Notice of Action, indicating that the I-130 has been received by the BCIS. The citizen should then file a copy of this notice with the appropriate forms to the BCIS office in Illinois.

Once approved, the petition will be forwarded to the applicable consulate so that the alien beneficiary or beneficiaries may apply to the Department of State for nonimmigrant K-3/K-4 visas.

Question: Will I Get a Work Permit?

Answer: Persons in K-3 or K-4 status and applicants for adjustment to permanent resident status from K-3 or K-4 are eligible to apply for a work permit while their cases are pending.

Question: Can I Travel Outside the United States?

If you are in K-3 or K-4 status, you may travel using your unexpired K-3/K-4 nonimmigrant visa to travel outside of the United States and return, even if you are applying for adjustment of status simultaneously.

What do I need to leave the U.S.?

Question: What is a Travel Document and Who Needs One?

Answer: If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need permission to return to the United States after traveling abroad. This permission is granted through a travel document. Travel documents are also given to people who want to travel, but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality.

Question: How do I file for a travel document?

Answer: You must file USCIS Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document, complete with supporting documentation, photos and applicable fees. If you are a permanent resident or conditional resident, you must attach a copy of the alien registration receipt card; or if you have not yet received your alien registration receipt card, a copy of the biographic page of your passport and the page of your passport indicating initial admission as a permanent resident, or other evidence that you are a permanent resident; or a copy of the approval notice of a separate application for replacement of the alien registration receipt card or temporary evidence of permanent resident status.

Question: How can I file for Advance Parole?

Answer: If you are in the United States, you must show a copy of any document issued to you by the Service showing your present status in the United States; An explanation or other evidence demonstrating the circumstances that warrant issuance of Advance Parole.

If you are basing your eligibility for Advance Parole on a separate application for adjustment of status or asylum, you must also attach a copy of the filing receipt for that application.

If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa, you must also attach a copy of the consular appointment.

Question: Where should I file?

Answer: Where to file the Form I-131 depends upon the benefit sought. Thus, there is not only one single place to file.

Question: When should I File?

Answer: You must apply for the travel document before leaving the United States. Failure to do so may cause you to lose permission to re-enter the country, and lead to the denial of any other applications.

H-2B’s: There back!

Question: I had petitioned for temporary workers earlier, but was told all H-2B’s were used up. Is there anything that can be done? I really need these workers.

Answer: Yes, beginning May 25, 2005, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin to accept additional petitions for H-2B workers as required by the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005.

Question: Who will benefit from this Act?

Answer: The Act allows USCIS to accept filings beginning May 25, 2005 for two types of H-2B workers seeking work start dates as early as immediately: 1. For fiscal year 2005: Approximately 35,000 workers, who are new H-2B workers or who are not certified as returning workers, seeking work start dates before October 1, 2005.

2. For FY 2005 and 2006: All “returning workers,” meaning workers who counted against the H-2B annual numerical limit of 66,000 during any one of the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of the requested start date. This means: In a petition for a work start date before October 1, 2005 (FY 2005), the worker must have been previously approved for an H-2B work start date between October 1, 2001 and September 30, 2004. In a petition for a work start date on or after October 1, 2005 (FY 2006), the worker must have been previously approved for an H-2B work start date between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2005. If a petition was approved only for “extension of stay” in H-2B status, or only for change or addition of employers or terms of employment, the worker was not counted against the numerical limit at that time and, therefore, that particular approval cannot in itself result in the worker being considered a “returning worker” in a new petition. Any worker not certified as a “returning worker” will be subject to the numerical limitation for the relevant fiscal year.

Question: What is needed to file for the H-2B’s under this Act?

Answer: Petition forms and processing will follow current rules, with these additional requirements for “returning workers:” The petition must include a certification from the petitioner (employer) signed by the same person who signed the Form I-129 stating, “As a supplement to the certification made on the attached Form I-129, I further certify that the workers listed below have entered the United States in H-2B status or changed to H-2B status during one of the last three fiscal years.” The list must set forth the full name of the worker. If the petition seeks change of status of the worker within the United States, it must include evidence of previous H-2B admissions, such as a visa or a copy of I-94 admission document.

A single petition may benefit more than one worker, including unnamed workers in “special filing situations” for business reasons. However, any returning workers must be listed in a certification as described above. For multiple named workers, including returning workers, “Attachment 1” to Form I-129 must be included and completed.

A petition approval notice will list any returning workers, who must be prepared to show to the U.S. consulate (when requesting an H-2B visa) or CBP port inspector (if visa exempt) proof of the worker’s previous H-2B admissions, such as a visa or a copy of I-94 admission document. The State Department will confirm prior visas through its electronic system, and that alone may be sufficient, but failure to show these documents may result in denial of visa or admission.

Thus, because of the limited number of H-2B’s, you should file right away.

New L1-B Provisions

Question: My employer has a business in my home country and wants to send me to the United States to work in a branch office he is opening up. However, it would require that I work at different locations in the U.S. Is there a problem with doing this?

Answer: Since you will not actually be running the company, but rather, worker as a person who has specialized knowledge of the products of your company, you would fall under the L-1B category. Previously, there might not have been a problem. However, a new law regarding L-1B’s has just come into effect. The USCIS has just implemented the L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2004. The changes were mandated by L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2004 which became law last December as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The L-1 Visa Reform Act amends previous legislation to address the “outsourcing” of L-1B temporary workers. An L-1B nonimmigrant is an alien who has been employed overseas by a firm with an affiliated entity in the U.S., who comes to the U.S. to perform services for the international entity that involve specialized knowledge.

Question: What are the changes mandated by this law?

Answer: L-1B temporary workers can no longer work primarily at a worksite other than that of their petitioning employer if either: (a) the work is controlled and supervised by a different employer or (b) the offsite arrangement is essentially one to provide a non-petitioning party with local labor for hire, rather than a service related to the specialized knowledge of the petitioning employer. USCIS will interpret the “control and supervision” provisions of the new law to require an L-1B petitioning employer to retain ultimate authority over the worker. The determination as to whether an alien is or will be employed primarily at a worksite other than that of the petitioner will depend on the specific facts presented. In addition, the bar will not apply if the satisfactory performance of such off-site employment duties requires that the L-1B temporary worker must have specialized or advanced knowledge of the petitioning employer’s product, service, or other interests, as defined under current USCIS regulations. General skills or duties that relate to ordinary business or work activities would not meet the test of whether specialized knowledge is required for the work.

Question: Therefore, what exactly is meant by this outsourcing provision?

Answer: The “outsourcing” provisions described above apply to all L-1B petitions filed with USCIS after June 6, 2005, and include extensions and amendments involving individuals currently in L-1 status. The Act also requires that all L-1 temporary workers must have worked for a period of no less than one year outside the United States for an employer with a qualifying relationship to the petitioning employer. Previously, participants in the “blanket L-1” program could participate after as little as six months of qualifying employment. This change applies to petitions for initial L-1 classification filed with USCIS after June 6, 2005; extensions of status under the blanket program are not affected by this new provision.

Question: Are the filing fees the same?

Answer: No. As with other applications, there is now a fraud related fee. There is the base filing fee of $185.00 plus the new $500.00 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee as applicable. [Employers seeking a worker’s initial grant of H-1B or L nonimmigrant classification and employers seeking to hire an existing H-1B or L worker currently employed by another employer must pay the $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee. The $500 fee does not need to be submitted by: 1) employers who seek to extend a current H-1B or L alien’s status where such an extension does not involve a change of employers; 2) employers who are seeking H-1B1, Chile-Singapore Free Trade Act nonimmigrants; or 3) dependents of H-1B or L principal beneficiaries.

Therefore, while there are changes, the L-1B still exists and you should go forward with the application assuming you qualify.