CLO Receives Approvals for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

CLO is excited to announce it has received approvals for deferred action for childhood arrivals- a new initiative by the Obama Administration to provide young people with temporary relief from deportation.  Commonly called 'DREAMERs,' these young people were brought to the U.S. before the age of 16 and must satisfy several requirements, including attending or completing school, in order to qualify.  As of October 10, USCIS had received 180,000 applications and this number is expected to rise.  Need to know more about this program reach us on the web at info@challalaw.com or call our VA office at 8043608482 or our NC office at 9193804944. You can also reach directly the attorney/paralegal that you are currently working with.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India introduced a new visa processing system. The new website for visa applications is: www.ustraveldocs.com/in and the new e-mail ID is: support-india@ustraveldocs.com

Under the interview waiver program (IWP), children up to the age of seven were not required to attend the interview. The exemption would be extended up to the age of 14.

The application process would remain the way it was because that was the way the system got the required information from people. Please stay tuned for more information

50 per cent of the applicants at the U.S. visa office in Chennai are from Karnataka

Mr. Manring, Chief of Consular Services of the American Consulate General, Chennai said that 10 per cent of all non-immigrant visa applications were from India and that there were 103,000 students studying in the U.S. About 50 per cent of the applicants at the U.S. visa office in Chennai are from Karnataka and most of them are from Bangalore.

In the last 12 months, the Chennai office has processed 236,000 visas, including several business visas. It is an increase of 1.4 per cent from the last year.

One-third of all classes of U.S. visas processed in India were in Chennai. Further, 236,000 non-immigrant visas were processed in Chennai in the last 12 months and an overwhelming majority of them were granted. Twenty-five per cent of all H1B categories of visas issued by the U.S. worldwide are given in Chennai.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/us-introducing-new-system-for-visa-application-norms-eased-for-children/article4074952.ece

USCIS Reminds Individuals Affected by Hurricane Sandy of Temporary Immigration Relief Measures

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Sandy of certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief that may be available to them. USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual's ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits. Eligible individuals may request or apply for temporary relief measures, including: A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;

Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS; Expedited adjudication of off-campus employment authorization applications for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;

Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and Assistance to Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in places that do not have a local USCIS office.

Where appropriate, USCIS may exercise its discretion to allow for delays in filing resulting from the hurricane. This may include, for example: Assistance to those who have not appeared for an interview or submitted required forms of evidence. You may show how the disrupting event affected your connection to USCIS and your ability to appear or submit documents as required; and

Assistance to those who have not been able to respond to Requests For Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID). USCIS will extend the deadline for individuals to respond to RFEs or NOIDs by 30 days. This will apply to all RFEs and NOIDs with a deadline of October 26 through November 26, 2012. During this time, USCIS will not issue denials based on

abandonment of an application or petition.

Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program may visit a local USCIS office for assistance. Please check whether your local USCIS office is open before going. Individuals affected by the hurricane who are at a U.S. airport may contact the nearest U.S. Customs and Border Protection office for assistance.

India & China Employment Based Priority Dates:

For December 2012

China                          India