| Fraud Detection Training |
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The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report on the USCIS' adjudications of H-1B (specialty occupation) and H-2B (temporary labor) petitions. The report made two recommendations:
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That the USCIS develop and implement a national, post-basic fraud identification and response training program that identifies current fraud trends. While there is a training program in place, the report found that it was inconsistent among USCIS Service Centers and that up to 86% of officers and supervisors at the Service Centers had not taken the fraud training courses offered. -
That the USCIS provide this training annually to all H-1B and H-2B officers and supervisors.
As additional training is implemented, we can likely expect new trends in H-1B/H-2B adjudications and FDNS (Fraud Detection & National Security) on-site inspections. |
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Approval Notice Courtesy Copies |
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Recently, AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) members have reported receiving the I-797 Courtesy Copy Approval Notices that have traditionally been sent directly to the petitioning employer or applicant.
The USCIS has advised AILA Liaison that the change in processing of I-797 approval notices and the mailing of "courtesy copy" notices to the attorney of record is the result of a planned change at USCIS whereby original approval notices will be sent directly to the petitioner/applicant and the courtesy copies will go to the attorneys.
AILA Liaison has advised USCIS of the consequences of the processing change and has urged USCIS to return to the prior notification procedure immediately. |
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Khapra Beetle Interceptions in Michigan |
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CBP Khapra Beetle Interceptions Surpass 2010 Numbers
Beetles Considered One of World's Most Destructive Pests
On September 19, 2011, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) announced that their agriculture specialists around the country had made over 158 Khapra Beetle interceptions. This is more than the total interceptions in calendar year 2010. The interceptions were made in the passenger, air and sea cargo environment in eleven CBP field offices, including Detroit.
The Khapra Beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is one of the world's most destructive stored-product pests. It is difficult to control once introduced into a region because it feeds on a variety of dried materials (such as rice), is resistant to insecticides, and can go long periods without food. Infestations can result in up to 70 percent grain damage, making products inedible and unmarketable.
The Khapra Beetle originated in South Asia and is now present throughout much of northern Africa and the Middle East, with a limited presence in Asia, Europe, and southern Africa. In the U.S., Khapra Beetles were first found in California in 1953, which began a massive control and eradication effort until 1966. The infestation was successfully eradicated by fumigation in the U.S. and Mexico at a cost of approximately $11 million.
In 2005 and 2006, Khapra Beetle interceptions at U.S. ports of entry were three to six per year. The number began to increase in 2007, and for the next three years, CBP interceptions nationwide averaged 15 per year. So far in 2011, as of Aug 26, 2011, ports of entry in the Detroit Field Office, Detroit Land, Detroit Air, Port Huron and Sault Ste Marie, have made 7 confirmed interceptions with another 5 awaiting final identification confirmation from USDA identifiers.
"CBP agriculture specialists and CBP officers take their role of protecting our nation's agriculture very seriously," said Christopher Perry, Director Field Operations, Detroit Field Office. "They are a critical part of CBP's mission to protect our nation against all potential threats."
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