U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the filing deadline for applications for legalization under the terms of the CSS and LULAC (Newman) settlement agreements is extended from May 23, 2005 until December 31, 2005. 

This is not a new amnesty program. The CSS and LULAC (Newman) settlement agreements allow for those who meet certain requirements to apply or reapply for Temporary Resident status under the 1986 amnesty program of Section 245A of Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Eligible individuals may apply by submitting a Form I-687, Application for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and a CSS/ LULAC (Newman) Class Membership Worksheet. 

More information on the eligibility requirements and the application process may be found at local USCIS offices or online at www.uscis.gov under “Legal Settlements.” 

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The Transportation Security Administration is issuing a final rule that will exempt the Registered Traveler Operations Files (DHS/TSA 015) from several provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of classified and law enforcement information.  This rule is effective July 8, 2005. 

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The USCIS posted to its website the revised form I-508, Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities (Under Section 247(b) of the INA).  Additionally, USCIS has revised and posted forms G-325A, I-526 and I-698.  All of the revised forms are located at www.uscis.gov. 

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A program that collects biometric and biographic information from visa applicants and visitors to the United States has achieved 'unprecedented results' in identifying criminals and other potential security threats seeking to enter America, according to a recent press release from the Department of Homeland Security. 

According to DHS, in the 17 months since US-VISIT was created, core than 7,000 visas have been denied -- more than a third of which were refused because the applicant was located on U.S. government law-enforcement and security lists. 

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A Texas immigration law firm employee pleaded guilty today to visa fraud and conspiring to file frivolous immigration petitions for Chinese nationals intending to enter the United States unlawfully, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Norman Chapa, 52, a United States citizen, appeared before U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison Friday and admitted taking part in a large international visa scam from May 1999 to January 2004 while he was employed at the Law Firm of Kenneth L. Rothey in Houston.  

Chapa described how he helped recruit Chinese national clients seeking immigration benefits that would allow them to work in the United States.  Chapa, along with the owner of the firm and another employee, paid local businesses between $10,000 to $20,000 to control an interest in the company and then encourage the Chinese nationals to enter the U.S. as intra-company transferees, managers or executives. 

All three defendants are charged with filing fictitious immigration petitions for Chinese nationals and for soliciting local businesses to sell actions or act as local petitioners to encourage these Chinese nationals to illegally enter the United States and seek employment.

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