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E&M Visa Update for March 4, 2003 Volume
Three, Number Three sign
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INS Extends Special Registration Deadline for Groups 3 and 4 DOL
Fines Placement Firm Over Treatment of Foreign Teachers All BCIS Service Centers Update Processing Time Reports
Visa
Spotlight: INS Ceases to Exist; Immigration Benefits Transfer to
Department of Homeland Security and Successor Agency, BCIS While the name has changed, the way one applies for services and benefits, obtains forms, information and assistance will not change. INS forms are still valid and they will continue to be accepted by BCIS. Forms should continue to be mailed to the addresses currently indicated on forms and notices. Local offices will remain in existing locations. The National Customer Service Call Center will continue to be available at 1-800-375-5283. Banners, posters, and pamphlets bearing the name of the new bureau were mailed out to immigration offices across the country last week. However, the transition will take awhile. For example, the BCIS advises that checks made out to INS will be accepted for the time being. In addition to the BCIS and its leader, Eduardo Aguirre, former Vice-Chair of the Export-Import Bank, there are a host of new immigration agencies, each with its own acronym, leader and Web site: BCBP
- Bureau of Customs and Border Protection; Robert Bonner, Commissioner
of Customs; http://cbp.customs.gov/ BICE will be responsible for enforcement of customs and immigration laws. In addition, the Bureau will also be responsible for protecting federal buildings against terrorist and other threats. The 14,000 BICE employees will be comprised primarily of Customs Service and INS Special Agents, INS Detention and Deportation Officers, INS' Immigration Litigation Section, and Federal Protective Service (FPS) employees. BICE Regional Directors are Paula Corrigan for the Eastern Region, Robert A. Wallis serving the Central Region, and Anthony Esposito in the Western Region. Interim BICE Directors at the local level include Edward McElroy in New York City, Mike McMahon in Houston and Mark Riordan in San Francisco.
BCIS
Filing Fees Return to Level Prior to January 24 Decrease
INS
Extends Special Registration Deadline for Groups 3 and 4
DOL
Says Sun Microsystems Failed To Comply with LCA Posting Requirement
for H-1B But Does Not Assess Civil Penalty In an interesting sidelight, the DOL upheld the modus operandi between HR departments and outside immigration counsel. The administrative judge ruled that the fact that Sun's immigration manager did not personally sign each LCA does not make the use of her authorized signature, instead of her actual signature, a material misrepresentation of fact, since the LCAs are prepared under her direction and signed with her authorization.
DOL
Fines Placement Firm Over Treatment of Foreign Teachers
Greenspan
Says a Major Increase in Immigration Could Help the Economy
The Texas Service Center Processing Time Report was updated on February 28 for the period ending February 15. The California Service Center Processing Time Report was updated on February 26 for the period ending February 15. The Vermont Service Center Processing Time Report was updated on February 19 for the period ending February 15. To
view and print out the most recent INS service center processing
time reports, please visit http://www.emvisa.com/bcisreports.htm Thank
you for taking the time to read this E&M Visa Update
Thank you for taking the time to read this E&M Visa Update.
Elliot & Mayock LLP Immigration and Nationality Law
"visas made easier"
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