The Associated Press reported last week that according to officials, Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge has said that he will probably resign after the November elections because of his personal finances and job stress.  Ridge has also expressed frustration about the continuing problems of reorganizing the 22 different agencies that makeup the Homeland Security Department.  He has faced personal criticism over recurring but vague public warnings about possible terrorist activity, and was ridiculed for urging homeowners to stockpile plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal their doors and windows during a biological or chemical attack.  In addition, Congress and the 9/11 Commission have criticized portions of the plan to fight terrorism, including the vague color-coded warning system and lack of cooperation between intelligence agencies.

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today formally introduced InfoPass this week in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The launch is a part of a national effort to implement InfoPass in all 33 USCIS Districts by early September 2004.  With InfoPass, the public can go online to schedule a date and time to meet with an immigration information officer, avoiding the need to wait in line.

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Anyone who has sent I-130s to the Nebraska and Texas Service Centers should be aware that those centers are sending immediate relative I-130s to the California Service Center for adjudication.  Thus, petitions filed at TSC or NSC may receive a receipt notice from CSC.

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The Vermont Service Center has announced that it will be permanently closing its public window as of September 1, 2004. Thus, it will no longer conduct business on a walk-up basis.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is in talks to settle the federal investigation that is examining whether or not the company knowingly hired undocumented immigrants to work in its stores.  According to people on both sides, Department of Justice officials and Wal-Mart have discussed a settlement of around $10 million.  The settlement will likely include conditions that allow for a harsher penalty if the company hires undocumented workers in the future.  If Wal-Mart knowingly hired contractors who supplied illegal workers and had a practice of doing so, it could have faced a fine of as much as $10,000 for each illegal worker hired.