In Focus
A monthly bulletin from Immigration Solutions
July 2006
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Greetings!

Summer greetings! Here?s hoping that you are setting aside some quality time to take breaks and enjoy the longer, warmer days with family and friends.

Since our last issue, we?ve had an active month of announcements pertaining to the H-1B advanced degree cap, new documentation requirements for persons traveling to and from the Americas, Bi- Specialization updates and more. The current report on the slow moving Immigration Reform front is to still reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills - more on this below. Please also note that ?In Focus? will be presenting an item of interest each month for human resource professionals. We hope that you will find this of interest.

We like to remind those of you who might not be familiar with us that Immigration Solutions is comprised of a network of highly experienced Immigration Case Managers and Paralegals, working in association with licensed, U.S. Attorneys and Certified Specialists in the field of immigration and nationality law. We provide assistance to our clients on a wide range of immigration issues, both employment and family related. We deal with Fortune 500 companies, small to mid-size companies in all industries and individuals who are undergoing the U.S. immigration process. Additionally, we have a depth of experience preparing and processing complex business visas for investors, multinational managers, and outstanding individuals in the areas of athletics, business, science and the entertainment industry. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to request a copy of our brochure and schedule of fees.

Leslie Davis
Owner-Case Manager
Immigration Solutions
562.433.5676
562.439.7306 Fax
immigsolutions@yahoo.com

USCIS updated the current cap count on 07/07/2006 based upon a count conducted on June 30, 2006 indicating that 13,687 U.S. Advanced Degree exemption petitions have now been counted, with an additional 500 petitions not yet data-entered. More than half of the advanced degree exemptions have been utilized. Anyone contemplating filing a case and requesting an advanced degree exemption; however, should act quickly before the remaining numbers disappear. This cap is set by law and can only be changed if there is a change in the law. If you are of the opinion that the cap is set too low, then let your senators and/or congresspersons know what you think and why. Employers are having a very difficult time recruiting and retaining skilled workers, and your voice can have an impact on Congress.

Express your opinions. Change only occurs when our officials know what we think. Contact information is available on the House website at: http://www.house.gov/ and for the Senate: http://www.senate.gov/.
On 6/30/06 USCIS issued its updated Phase 2 FACT SHEET on Bi-Specialization Filing instructions and announced changes that will be implemented on July 24, 2006 concerning the filing of employment-based I-485 Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residency applications based upon pending or already approved I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (aka stand alone filings) cases. We link below to the Fact Sheet:
DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have posted on its website information about changes in documentation requirements for persons traveling to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Panama. According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travelers will be required to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer?s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. We link below to the announcement.
Rather than proceed directly with a Conference Committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate immigration Bills, House Republicans are holding a 2-month series of Field Hearings that are intended to whip up their conservative base and focus attacks on the Senate approach. It appears that the Senate Judiciary Committee is also holding hearings. Chairman Specter plans to promote the temporary worker program and earned legalization provision in S.2611. Hearings will be held in Laredo, TX, Miami, Yuma, AZ and Washington, DC.
In Focus will be looking at the topic of Managing People for the next few months. There are a number of ways people in supervisory roles can manage people more effectively. Our tips this month are:
  1. Partner on Goal-Setting: When managers partner up with employees to set goals, it sends a strong message that ?we?re in this together and that your opinion matters.? You might even be surprised to hear that your employees have goals - and that their goals just might be in agreement with yours!
  2. Communication: Organize your message and don?t hide it amongst unnecessary information. Start off by saying what it is you are trying to get across.
  3. Delegating: The art of delegating is to know your people. Over-tracking highly motivated employees will quickly cause motivation to be lost. Track your poorly motivated employee by providing deadlines in smaller increments.

Leslie Davis
Immigration Solutions

Phone: 562.433.5676
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