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Archive for July 17, 2007

CONGRESSWOMAN LOFGREN’S COMMENTS ON JULY VISA BULLETIN DEBACLE RESOLUTION

So many people and organizations were instrumental in obtaining such a favorable resolution to this mess. AILA, AILF and Representative Lofgren were out front in this battle and should be commended. Immigration Voice was also on the cutting edge with the flower campaign, the rally, and the news fresh off the press. Of course, everyone who marched, sent flowers, or signed a petition also deserves a great deal of credit. All parties had the same goal and used different means to achieve it. Congratulations on a job well done!

Please see the link to Representative Lofgren’s Press Release to the left.

OFFICIAL USCIS ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING JULY VISA BULLETIN

The government finally did the right thing.  As I posted earlier, I-485 employment-based applications that were current in the July visa bulletin may be filed through August 17, 2007.  Please see the link to the USCIS notice to the left.

ADJUSTMENT APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE CURRENT IN JULY WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH AUGUST 17, 2007

Just in from AILA.  It’s confirmed and the outcome could not have been better:

“The government will be announcing shortly that it has reversed its July 2 announcement that the fiscal year 2007 employment based visa numbers had been used up and that it was going to refuse to accept adjustment of status filings during July. Instead, Secretary Chertoff advises that USCIS will keep the applications filed and reopen filings for a 31-day period from July 18 through August 17, 2007, in order to provide the same filing window people would have had if the July 2 actions had not taken place. Filers will be able to pay the July filing fees during the entire window period.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that today’s announcement helps the EB-3 other workers whose applications were rejected in June.”

RESOLUTION TO VISA BULLETIN MESS IS CONFIRMED IN DOS AUGUST VISA BULLETIN

The August Visa Bulletin has been posted (see link to the left).  Although no EB numbers are available for August, the following note is found on the bulletin:

D.  JULY EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY

After consulting with Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Visa Office advises readers that Visa Bulletin #107 (dated June 12) should be relied upon as the current July Visa Bulletin for purposes of determining Employment visa number availability, and that Visa Bulletin #108 (dated July 2) is hereby withdrawn.

This is the first official word, and it’s great news!  Let’s see what the USCIS announcement states.  What a relief!

AILA REPORTING GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT IS IMMINENT

From AILA’s website (7/17/07):
“AILA has been advised that the government will shortly be releasing an announcement of a “fix” to its mis-handling of the July employment-based filers. While rumors again abound regarding details, members are urged to wait for the announcement regarding the specifics.”
Hopefully the announcement will be along the lines of what immigration voice has published. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

ORIGINAL JULY VISA BULLETIN WILL STAND!

Immigration Voice just posted the following:

DHS will be rescinding its July 2 update and the initial July Visa Bulletin will take effect for 31 days – i.e., all employment-based green card categories (except for the “Other Workers” category) will be “current” and CIS will accept applications through August 17.

DHS will issue a press release to this effect later today.”

If this turns out to be factual, file your applications ASAP! Who knows when numbers will be current again.  I will link to the DHS press release when it becomes available.

AILF’S STATEMENT ON VISA BULLETIN LAWSUIT PROGRESS IN LIGHT OF POSSIBLE ANNOUNCEMENT

No concrete news or announcement yet from the government.  AILF has released the following statement regarding the Visa Bulletin lawsuit they are prepared to file:

(www.ailf.org, posted July 17,2007)

“AILF’s Legal Action Center has a class action lawsuit completed and ready to file against the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State for their unlawful actions in the I-485 / Visa Bulletin mess. The government improperly denied tens of thousands of intending immigrants the opportunity to apply for employment-based visas known as “green cards.”

Rumors continue today that the Administration will be announcing a decision regarding their proposal to resolve the crisis. The most recent rumors indicate that the announcement will be made today. However, there are widely varying reports on what the proposed solution will be.

AILF will review any proposals by the Administration to resolve this issue, and will determine the best course of action in light of those proposals. While we remain hopeful that the Administration will take the actions necessary to avoid the filing of the lawsuit, further delays or incomplete solutions will compel us to move forward with litigation.

We thank the hundreds of people - intending immigrants and their lawyers - who have contacted us to be plaintiffs and support the litigation. We received emails and calls from more than 500 people in the last two weeks. Your efforts have enabled us to prepare a very strong challenge to the government’s actions.”

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ON VISA BULLETIN SCANDAL IN AN HOUR?

Immigration Voice is reporting that the announcement will take place in about an hour. Hopefully they’re right and this issue can be resolved with some certainty.

WHITE HOUSE INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING VISA BULLETIN SCANDAL

This unprecedented scandal with the July Visa Bulletin has reached a point where the White House officials have been involved in trying to come up with a solution to this mess according to various reliable sources. There are no specifics that I am aware of as of yet and as AILA has pointed out on several occasions, the situation remains fluid.

Again, I will avoid the very strong temptation to speculate on what the announcement will be, as the government is having us ride enough of a roller coaster without the need to add additional drama to this mess.   I will keep you updated as I learn more.   I just hope that everyone’s been taking their heart medication!

READ WHAT “BUSINESS WEEK” IS SAYING ABOUT A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE VISA BULLETIN MESS

Finally, some main-stream coverage of this mess.  Yesterday the WSJ and today I found a Business Week article (link to the left).  Something’s cooking, let’s hope negotiations within the government don’t break down before the “imminent” announcement takes place.