ASK SISKIND AND SUSSER

Question: How do I find out which local Immigration and Naturalization Service has jurisdiction over me? I need to file an adjustment of status application so I can become a permanent resident.

Answer: An easy way to find this out is to call one of the four regional INS offices. The Telephone Information Electronic Response System (TIERS) provides an automated menu and there is an option to determine your local INS office. All you need to do is enter your telephone area code. The phone numbers of the four regional INS offices are as follows: California Service Center - 714-360-2877; Vermont Service Center - 802-527-3160; Texas Service Center - 214-767-7769; Nebraska Service Center - 402-437-5218.

Question: I’ve entered the DV-97 lottery. How will I know if I won? Is there a number I can call? When should I expect to hear some news?

Answer: Winners should begin to be notified by mid-June. If past years are any indicator, winners will be notified over a three month period. You will NOT be notified if you do not win the lottery. Also, you cannot check to see whether you won. The only way you will know that you won is if you are notified by the National Visa Center by mail. If you have not heard anything by September, the chances are pretty strong that you did not win.

Question: If Congress passes an immigration bill, when will the bill go into effect? Will it cover people who have applications pending?

Answer: The new law, if it is passed, will become effective in October. There does not appear to be any transition provisions in the bill, so applications in categories eliminated (such as siblings of US citizens or adult children of permanent residents or citizens) will need to be fully processed by the end of September. Also unclear are how people with visa extension applications pending in non-immigrant visa categories that are being shortened will be affected. For example, H-1B visas are being shortened to just three years. If someone has a pending application that is not decided by October 1st, will they be denied the extension automatically? Hopefully, INS and other affected agencies will issue guidance materials on this soon after any law is passed.