USCIS naturalizes 53 soldiers during President’s Day ceremony in Iraq

USCIS reports that Robert Daum, director of the USCIS Field Office in Rome, led a naturalization ceremony in Al Faw Palace in Baghdad on February 21st, administering the Oath of Allegiance to 53 U.S. soldiers who officially became U.S. citizens.  USCIS held its first naturalization ceremony in Iraq in October 2004, and since then, 3,426 members of the armed forces have become citizens of the United States while deployed there. 

USCIS.gov
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Report: Insiders pose threat to USCIS IT

GovInfoSecurity.com reports that a recent report issued by the Department of Homeland Security, ‘Examining Insider Threat Risk at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,’ reveals that the USCIS IT systems are vulnerable to insider threats from employees and contractors.  The report says that because USCIS employees ‘hold the keys’ to U.S. citizenship, they make an attractive target for recruitment for theft and unauthorized modification of data.  The report included eighteen recommendations aimed at strengthening the agency’s security, including centralizing records of misconduct and violations by employees in the scope of their jobs and reexamining human resources screening procedures for high-risk positions.  USCIS agreed with the recommendations and says it has begun implementing them. 

The report is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_11-33_Jan11.pdf

http://www.govinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=3387

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NM, WA reject bills to ban illegally present immigrant driver’s licenses

Insurance Journal reports that the New Mexico Senate has rejected a bill that would have prevented the state from issuing driver’s licenses to illegally present immigrants.  The Republican-backed measure sought to change a 2003 law that allows illegally present immigrants to obtain licenses, arguing that current licensing system poses a security threat.

The Associated Press reports that a similar bill that would have restricted driver’s license access to illegally present immigrants in Washington state was defeated in the senate.  The bill would have required applicants for a driver’s license to provide proof of residency and a Social Security number.  While supporters say the measure was aimed at stopping identification fraud, opponents said the bill would have led illegally present immigrants to drive without licenses and car insurance.

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2011/02/28/188399.htm

Seattle Times
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Study: U.S. scores well in integrating migrants

According to The Associated Press, a new study released by the British Council, a charity specializing in international education and cultural opportunities, shows that U.S. policies to integrate migrants ranks ninth among the 31 countries studied in Europe and North America.  Sweden, Portugal, and Canada led the list, while Cyprus and Latvia ranked last. 

The report is available at: http://www.mipex.eu/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/28/AR2011022801822.html

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Oklahoma House panel backs comprehensive anti-immigration measure

The Oklahoman reports that a House committee passed a wide-ranging anti-immigration measure that would give law enforcement officials more authority to check the immigration status of motorists stopped for committing traffic violations.  In addition, the bill would allow police officers to confiscate the property of illegally present immigrants to help fund their incarceration and deportation.  The bill’s sponsor, Rep. George Faught of Muskogee, wants the bill to be the state’s only immigration measure this year and included a provision that would prohibit undocumented students from qualifying for state-funded scholarships.

http://newsok.com/article/3544759

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Utah House passes amended bill repealing in-state college tuition for illegally present immigrants

The Deseret News (UT) reports that a bill that would repeal in-state tuition for undocumented college students was passed in Utah.  Originally, the language in the bill explicitly said undocumented workers could not pay in-state tuition.  The amended bill, however, says a student will be required to prove that they or a legal guardian has paid Utah state taxes in order to qualify for in-state tuition.

Deseret News
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Georgia House passes Arizona-style immigration bill

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Georgia House passed House Bill 87, a new measure aimed at illegally present immigrants.  Known as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011, this legislation would authorize state and local police to verify the immigration status of certain suspects.  The bill’s supporters echoed Arizona’s argument, claiming that the federal government has failed to adequately enforce the nation’s immigration laws.  The ACLU and other civil rights groups have spoken out against law, calling it unconstitutional and threatening to file a lawsuit if the legislation is passed by the Senate and signed into law by Republican Governor Nathan Deal.

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/house-passes-arizona-style-859989.html

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Immigrant sponsorship bill passes Utah House

The Salt Lake City Tribune reports that the Utah House passed a proposal that would allow any U.S. citizen living in the state to sponsor an immigrant from any nation not currently listed by the State Department as a terrorist threat.  The sponsorship program would be run by the Governor’s Office and would include a fee of approximately $210.  Although the bill has many supporters and passed with a 55-16 vote, it has a constitutional note attached to it by legislative attorneys warning that there is a high likelihood of the bill being challenged in court. 

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51359927-76/allow-bill-committee-federal.html.csp

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USCIS to close Vietnam office at end of month

USCIS reports that it will close its office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on March 31^st, 2011.  As of March 25^th, applications previously accepted by that office will be received by the U.S. Department of State Consular Section there.

USCIS.gov

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USCIS announces new filing location for change of address form

USCIS announces that beginning March 15, 2011 all Change of Address (Form AR-11) and Alien’s Change of Address (Form AR-11SR) will change filing locations.  New forms must be filed at the following address:

          DHS/USCIS

          Harrisonburg File Storage Facility

          Attn: AR-11

          1344 Pleasants Drive

          Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Change of address forms mailed to the old location will be forwarded to the above address until April 28, 2011.

USICS.gov
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Partial reduction of visa operations at U.S. Consulate, Mumbai

The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai announced that until its new facility opens later this year, it will have to close several interview windows, limiting the number of applicants that can be accommodated at a given time.  If an applicant has already scheduled an H or L interview, that interview time will be honored but no new appointments will be accepted.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=34760

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