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NEWS BYTES
- Last month we reported that the INS was implementing a national telephone inquiry system. The agency now says the system is operational in 22 cities in the eastern half of the US. Several West Coast cities will be added in September and the rest of the country will be phased in over the next two years. Immigration applicants will be able check processing times and will be able to submit status checks on lagging cases at local INS offices. Inquiries on cases at service centers should still be directed there. The telephone number for the inquiry system is 800-375-5283.
- With over two months left in this fiscal year, the INS is already facing budget crunches that are forcing it to cut back on overtime pay, meaning there are fewer border inspectors on weekends and holidays. The area effected is one of the busiest, the Texas and New Mexico borders with Mexico. At some times the wait is now ninety minutes.
- The INS will implement a new national automatic scheduling system for fingerprinting. The system should be in place within the next month or two. Cases are currently scheduled manually and the new system could result in significant time savings.
- The INS is developing a green card inquiry form that will allow people to inquire regarding the tracking of green cards for newly approved permanent residents.
- Reliable sources are telling us that many companies that file H-1B petitions in bulk from countries like India have dramatically decreased the number of petitions they are filing. The reason – Y2K work is being wound down and the expected need for programmers is declining. This may mean that the H-1B cap for the next year could be reached several months later than earlier predictions. Many were predicting that the cap would be hit before the end of 1999 for the 2000 fiscal year.
- Good news on medical exams. The INS now states that the exam only be less than one year old at the time it is filed. Even if the interview in a case takes place after the exam is over a year old, the older exam can still be used. According to the INS, it is immaterial how old the medical exam is at the time the I-485 is adjudicated as long as it was filed on time.
- The Arlington, Virginia asylum office has moved to the following address:
US Immigration and Naturalization Service
Arlington Asylum Office, 1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22209
The move took place last month so the new address is now working.
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Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. | 
