USCIS Special Naturalization Ceremonies Celebrate Presidents' Day

USCIS celebrates Presidents’ Day by welcoming thousands of new citizens in special naturalization ceremonies across the nation.

Presidents’ Day celebrations run February 15-22. A list of highlighted ceremonies are below:

Date	City, State	Location
Friday, February 15, 2013	Sacramento, CA	California Veterans Memorial
Tuesday, February 19, 2013	Buffalo, NY	Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Tuesday, February 19, 2013	St. Paul, MN	Macalester College, John Davis Lecture Hall
Wednesday, February 20, 2013	San Diego, CA	Golden Hall
Wednesday, February 20, 2013	Sacramento, CA	Sacramento Convention Center
Wednesday, February 20, 2013	Boston, MA	Museum of African American History
Thursday, February 21, 2013	Parris Island, SC	Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Thursday, February 21, 2013	Baltimore, MD	The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
Thursday, February 21, 2013	Campbell, CA	Campbell Heritage Theater
Friday, February 22, 2013	Mount Vernon, VA	George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens

USCIS Updates and Improve Certain Immigration Forms

USCIS published improved forms in easier-to-use formats and with new data collection technologies:

               Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (published on Feb. 4): provide clear and comprehensive instructions in plain language and are in a user-friendly format.

               Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (published on Jan. 16): improves the application intake process and reduces customer errors. This two-column, Adobe fillable electronic form restricts incorrect entries and provides informational pop-up boxes to assist customers.

               Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (published on Jan. 16): includes 2D barcode technology to improve data quality and operational efficiency. The barcode at the bottom of the page stores the data on the form when entered electronically.

USCIS has also launched a new USCIS Form Improvements Initiative Web Page which explains the types of improvements in the initiative, introduces recently published and upcoming forms, and links to each form’s landing Web page. Visitors will also find information related to form improvement initiatives, including enhanced Web content (i.e., posting filing addresses and detailed fee information on form landing pages) and filing reminders.

Diversity Visa Lottery Scams: Part III

What happens after I enter the Diversity Visa Lottery?

You enter the Diversity Visa Lottery at dvlottery.state.gov. Then the State Department gives you a confirmation number. Keep that number safe. You will need it to check your status.

Diversity Visa Lottery winners are picked at random by a computer. There is no way to increase your chance of being picked.

You can find out your status only at dv.lottery.state.gov. The State Department will never send you a letter or email to say you won. If you see that kind of message, it is a scam.

If your entry is picked, you will have to pay a fee. You pay it only when you go to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your appointment. The U.S. government will never ask you to send money in advance by check, money order, or wire transfer.

New Saturday Hours for USCIS National Customer Service Center

Beginning Jan. 12, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) National Customer Service Center (NCSC) will expand its live, toll-free telephone assistance service to include Saturday hours.  Customer service representatives at the USCIS NCSC will now take calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time.

Customers will be able to call the USCIS toll-free number on Saturdays to receive nationwide assistance for immigration services and benefits offered by USCIS.  Our customer service representatives can answer routine questions on a wide variety of topics related to immigration services and benefits, including ordering forms, processing times, and information on local offices and civil surgeons.  For individuals seeking answers to more complex issues regarding their case, USCIS recommends calling the NCSC Monday through Friday for access to Immigration Services Officers.  Individuals calling the NCSC can access information through a menu of automated options 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact the USCIS national toll-free customer service line by dialing 1-800-375-5283.

USCIS Releases First Volume of Centralized Policy Manual

On January 7, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began the agency’s transition toward an online, centralized manual of immigration policies by releasing the first volume of the new USCIS Policy Manual-- the Citizenship and Naturalization volume. The release on January 7, 2013, follows an unprecedented, agency-wide review of USCIS policies that incorporates feedback from thousands of agency employees, customers and stakeholders. 

“With the introduction of the Policy Manual, we take a further step to provide our customers, stakeholders and workforce with an efficient and effective adjudication process that provides a high level of quality and consistency,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. 

USCIS will begin implementing the policies outlined in the Citizenship and Naturalization volume of the USCIS Policy Manual on Jan. 22, 2013. 

The complete USCIS Policy Manual will comprise several volumes, each pertaining to the different areas of immigration benefits the agency administers, including citizenship and naturalization, protection and parole, adjustment of status, admissibility, refugees and asylum, waivers, and travel and employment. The new Policy Manual will ultimately replace USCIS’ current Adjudicators Field Manual, or AFM, and the current USCIS Immigration Policy Memoranda website.

 As content becomes available for each volume, USCIS will notify the public and invite comment on new or substantially changed policies. Public engagement opportunities will be made available on our website. 

 In preparation for this transition to a centralized online policy manual, USCIS undertook an extensive review of all adjudication and customer service policies, including a survey of members of the public and the USCIS workforce. USCIS received approximately 8,000 survey responses regarding the agency’s policy and operational guidance, which informed the development and publication sequence of Policy Manual volumes. For staff affected by the release of the Citizenship and Naturalization volume, training has been conducted to ensure familiarity with the new online tool and its content.

USCIS Announces Transitional Worker Limit for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

On Friday, November 30, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the fiscal year (FY) 2013 limit for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Workers (CW-1) is 15,000. The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA) requires an annual reduction of the number of CW-1s, the nonimmigrant category for these transitional workers. On 11/30/2012, DHS published a notice in the Federal Register announcing this decision.

Under the CNRA, the CNMI became part of the United States for purposes of immigration law on Nov. 28, 2009. The CNRA included a transition period to eventually phase-out the CNMI’s nonresident worker program and transition to the U.S. federal immigration system. The CW-1 transitional worker program allows foreign nationals who are ineligible for any existing employment-based nonimmigrant category under the Immigration and Nationality Act work in the CNMI during the transition period. An annual reduction in the total number of CW-1s granted each year will lead to the elimination of the CW nonimmigrant classification by the end of the transition period. The CW program will end Dec. 31, 2014, unless it is extended by the U.S. Secretary of Labor.  

For FY 2012, the numerical limitation for CW-1s was set at 22,416, during which employers in the CNMI filed Form I-129CW petitions for more than 12,000 transitional workers. DHS has set the CW-1 limit for FY 2013 at 15,000 to meet the CNMI’s existing labor market needs and provide opportunity for potential growth, while reducing the numerical limitation as required by the CNRA. Petitions requesting a work start date in FY 2013 (between Oct. 1, 2012, and Sept. 30, 2013) will be counted towards the 15,000 limit. 

This notice does not affect the status of current CW-1 workers unless their employer files for an extension of their current authorized period of stay or they seek to change CW-1 employer. The numerical limitation only applies to CW-1 principals and does not directly affect the status of a person currently holding CW-2 status as the spouse or minor child of a CW-1 nonimmigrant. However, CW-2 nonimmigrants may be indirectly affected because their status depends upon that of the principal CW-1.

USCIS Expands e-Request Immigration System

USCIS has expanded the services offered by the e-Request system.  This Web-based tool allows customers to inquire about applications and petitions submitted to USCIS.

On November 19, customers will see the following enhancements to e-Request:

               Create a service request for all forms to either inquire about the status of your application or petition if it is outside of the normal processing time OR notify USCIS about an administrative error in a notice or document the USCIS sent you.

               For Forms I-90 and N-400 only, inquire about an Application Support Center appointment notice or other notice you were expecting to receive.

               Accessibility to individuals with disabilities (section 508 compliant).

To submit an e-Request, please visit the USCIS e-Request home page and have your receipt number available. 

M.C. Law Group Attorney Alex Meyerovich Explains Legal Fees

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- At M.C. Law Group, we know that hiring an attorney is a serious financial decision. However, in many immigration cases, hiring the cheapest attorney can cost you more money in the long run. At M.C. Law Group, we provide exceptional service for reasonable fees, and we include many services in your legal fees that other attorneys leave out.

Watch the video below to see Attorney Alex Meyerovich explain how M.C. Law Group fees are different from other immigration attorneys.

Learn more about M.C. Law Group

UPDATED List of USCIS Offices Closed from Hurricane Damage

UPDATED: Some Offices Remain Closed from Storm Damage

All applicants appointments will be rescheduled to the next available appointment date; applicants do not need to do anything to request a rescheduled date.  However walk-ins will be processed on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to visit a USCIS office in an area affected by the severe weather or you believe may be affected by severe weather, please call the

National Customer Service Center (NCSC) 1-800-375-5283

to ensure the office is open for business and for further instructions on rescheduling your appointment if the office is closed. Please continue to monitor this page for changes.

Offices Remaining Closed on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

New Jersey

               Newark Asylum Office
1200 Wall Street West, Fourth Floor
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

               Newark, NJ District Office & Field Office
Rodino Federal Building
970 Broad Street
Newark, NJ  07102-2506 

               Hackensack, NJ Application Support Center
116 Kansas Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601-4044

               Elizabeth, NJ Application Support Center
285 North Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07208 

New York

               New York Asylum Office
One Cross Island Plaza, 3rd Floor
(133-33 Brookville Boulevard)
Rosedale, NY 11422

               New York, NY District Office & Field Office
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY  10278-0127 

               Queens, NY Field Office & Application Support Center
2735 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101-2917 

               Long Island, NY Field Office & Application Support Center
30 Barretts Ave
Holtsville, NY  11742 

               Bronx, NY Application Support Center
1827 Westchester Ave.
Bronx, NY 10473

               Brooklyn, NY Application Support Center
1260-78 60th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219

               Hicksville, NY Application Support Center
87 Bethpage Road
Hicksville, NY 11801 

               Manhattan, NY Application Support Center
201 Varick Street, 10th Floor
RM103
New York, NY 10014

               Port Chester, NY Application Support Center
40 South Main Street
Port Chester, NY 10573

               Queens/Jamaica, NY Application Support Center
153-01 Jamaica Ave.
Jamaica, NY 11432 

               Woodside, NY Application Support Center
63-05 Rossevlt Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377 

               Eastern Telephone Center

Offices Reopening on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Connecticut

               Hartford, CT Field Office
AA Ribicoff Federal Building
450 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103-3060 

               Hartford Application Support Center
467 Silver Lane
East Hartford, CT 06118 

Delaware

               Dover, DE Satellite Office & Application Support Center
250 Gateway South Blvd, Ste 270
Dover, DE 19901 

Maryland

               Baltimore District Office & Field Office
Fallon Federal Building
31 Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD  21201 

               Baltimore Application Support Center
Bank of America Building
100 S. Charles Street, Suite 201
Baltimore, MD  21201 

               Glenmont Application Support Center
12331 Georgia Avenue, Suite C
Wheaton, MD  20906 

               Salisbury, MD Application Support Center
2040 Shipley Drive, Suite 2C
Salisbury, MD  21801

Massachusetts

               Boston, MA District Office & Field Office
JFK Federal Building
15 New Sudbury Street
Government Center, Room E-170
Boston, MA  02203-0701 

               Lawrence, MA Field Office & Application Support Center
2 Mill Street
Lawrence, MA  01840 

               Boston Application Support Center
170 Portland Street
Boston, MA 02114 

New Hampshire

               Manchester, NH Field Office & Application Support Center
9 Ridgewood Road
Bedford, NH  03110

New Jersey

               Mount Laurel, NJ Field Office – may have limited service available depending on network availability
530 Fellowship Road
Mount Laurel, NJ  08054

New York

               Albany, NY Field Office & Application Support Center
1086 Troy-Schenectady Road
Latham, NY  12110

Pennsylvania

               Philadelphia, PA District Office & Field Office
1600 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA  19130-4106

               Philadelphia Application Support Center
10300 Drummond Road
Suite 100, First Floor
Philadelphia, PA  19154 

               York, PA Application Support Center
Meadowlands Business Center
3516 Concord Road
York, PA 19402-9893 

               Pittsburgh, PA Field Office
3000 Sidney Street, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA  15203 

               Pittsburgh, PA Application Support Center
800 Penn Avenue, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, PA  15222 

Rhode Island

               Providence, RI Field Office & Application Support Center
1543 Atwood Avenue
Johnston, RI  02919

               Providence Application Support Center
105 Sockanosset Cross Road, Suite 210 
Cranston, RI 02910  

Virginia

               Washington District Office & Field Office (Fairfax, VA)
2675 Prosperity Avenue
Fairfax, VA  22031-4906 

               Alexandria, VA Application Support Center
8850 Richmond Hwy, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22039

               Norfolk, VA Field Office
Norfolk Commerce Park
5280 Henneman Drive
Norfolk, VA  23513 

               Norfolk Application Support Center
2500 Almeda Ave,  Suite 114
Norfolk, VA 23513

M.C. Law Group Opens Office in Stamford, CT

M.C. Law Group has opened a new branch in Stamford, Connecticut. The full-service law firm is experienced in all areas of U.S. immigration and nationality law. In addition, the firm also handles cases in a wide variety of legal matters including family law and divorce cases, criminal matters, tax preparation and tax resolution, and business law cases.

The Stamford branch, located at 39 Clovelly Road, is the third branch for this growing law firm. Two additional branches are located in Waterbury and Hartford, and the firm is based in Bridgeport.

Follow the link below to learn more about the new branch, M.C. Law Group, and its legal services.

Stamford Immigration Lawyer in Connecticut

Russian National Pleads Guilty for Immigration Bribe Attempts

A Russian national pleaded guilty to bribery following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Klara Rayymkulova, 51, a Russian national, knowingly and intentionally offered $5,000 to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer to commit and aid in the committing of immigration fraud.

On May 1, 2011, Rayymkulova arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport, in Queens, N.Y., aboard Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, Turkey. Rayymkulova was traveling with her adult daughter and an adult male, and possessed a B1-B2 non-immigrant visa. Upon arrival for inspection, Rayymkulova presented to CBP inspectors a fraudulent business invitation letter. The date on the letter was altered, it referred to Rayymkulova as a male, and the phone number listed for the business was disconnected.

According to court documents, after questioning by a Russian speaking CBP inspector, Rayymkulova admitted the letter was fraudulent and that she had paid for the letter. During the processing, Rayymkulova offered the Russian speaking CBP inspector an unspecified amount of money so that she might remain in the United States. The CBP inspector terminated the interview and advised supervisors of Rayymkulova's offer.

During an interview with a ICE OPR special agent, Rayymkulova again reiterated an offer of money to remain in the United States and offered $5,000 for her release, and offered another $5,000 for her daughter's release that she would send from Russia.

Rayymkulova will be sentenced December 21, 2012. She faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

USCIS Announces "Citizenship Corners" for L.A. Libraries

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Wednesday, September 19, 2012, a new initiative to provide the Los Angeles Public Library's 73 locations with citizenship resources and training for library staff. This initiative further expands upon the agency and city’s partnership announced in January 2010 to strengthen and enhance local immigrant integration efforts. 

“Today we take a further step to expand citizenship resources for immigrants in Los Angeles by providing information about the naturalization process in libraries,” said Mayorkas. “We are proud to yet again partner with Mayor Villaraigosa and the City of Los Angeles on this important initiative and to support immigrants on their journey to become American citizens.”

 Some highlights of this new initiative include:

               Training for library personnel on the naturalization process and available USCIS resources;

               Designating space in each library as ‘citizenship corners,’ which will contain citizenship material and resources;

               Offering a list of non-profit groups providing naturalization assistance in the local community; and

               Providing access to library community rooms for citizenship and English language classes.

As the second largest city in the country, Los Angeles is home to immigrants from more than 140 countries who speak 224 languages. The State of California is home to nearly 3.4 million permanent residents, 2.5 million of whom are estimated to be eligible to apply for naturalization. 

“This joint initiative expands our efforts to educate the city’s immigrant community about citizenship and establishes our libraries as local citizenship information centers,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “We are excited about the opportunity to support the many immigrants and their families that hope to one day achieve their goal of U.S. citizenship.”

USCIS and the City of Los Angeles first established a partnership when they signed a Letter of Agreement for a two-year pilot project. Originally scheduled to conclude in January 2012, the two parties renewed the agreement for an additional year in April 2012.