AILA InfoNet posted last week a fax from USCIS in New York, announcing that it will not issue I-94s or work authorization cards evidencing asylee status for those granted asylum by immigration judges until USCIS completes its own security checks.  When the applicant arrives at USCIS for an appointment, they will be given a form G-325 to complete, and this form is what will generate the necessary name checks.  Additionally if the fingerprint check on the file is more than 15 months old, USCIS will have to reschedule them for a new fingerprint appointment.  Once all required checks are complete, an appointment will be sent to the applicant for EAD and I-94 issuance.

*****

Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman for the Department of State, held a press briefing on June 29, 2004 and responded to questions about the new policy regarding travel restrictions to Cuba. The purpose of this plan is to reduce the hard flow of currency to the Castro regime.

Ereli explained the details of the extension, published on June 15 that allows travelers in Cuba on family visits to return by July 31^st instead of the original deadline of June 30. The added time given to these travelers is to ensure a safe and orderly return of those already in Cuba, but not to allow "rush trips back and forth" due to the extra window of time. Ereli said that he was not in a position to say if quick trips would be illegal, just that these visits would not support the spirit of the regulations.

*****

A story posted recently on GovExec.com reports that Assistant Secretary Michael Garcia of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau announced the ICE would keep its current name.

The proposed name change to U.S. Investigations and Criminal Enforcement, which more suitably describes the assignments of this branch of the agency, stalled when it reached the Office of Management and Budget and other government agencies, including the FBI. According to anonymous sources, FBI Director Robert Mueller and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge discussed the name change issue. The FBI did not want the ICE to use the word "investigations" in its title, and "the bottom line is the FBI won out."

During his statement Garcia emphasized that the ICE had not changed their name, and the mission and roles of security agents and officers within the Department remained the same.