News
Bytes
The
U.S. State Department of State has unveiled “Secure Borders. Open Doors,” a
new effort to better communicate changes in
U.S.
visa procedures. Heightened concerns about security in the wake of the
September 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent
United States
government reorganization to address homeland security have led to a variety of
changes in the visa policies. The program will initially utilize a new web site
(www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov)
and a customizable brochure. Additional materials will be developed in
consultation with
U.S.
embassies and consulates around the world.
*******
The
following organizations have been barred from applying for immigrant
and nonimmigrant visas for periods up to two years. As a result,
immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions filed by them will not be approved.
1.
Academy
of
Chinese
Culture & Health Sciences -
Oakland
,
California
2.
View Systems Inc. -
Baltimore
,
Maryland
3.
Global
Infonet International, Inc. -
Woodbridge
,
New Jersey
4.
Verma Labs, Inc -
Woodbridge
,
New Jersey
5.
Integrated Mental Health Service, S.C. -
Marinette
,
Wisconsin
6.
Steeltech 2000 -
Covina
,
California
7.
Yano Enterprises d/b/a Shogun Japanese Steakhouse -
Lakeland
,
Florida
8.
Millennium Worldwide Consulting -
Westerville
,
Ohio
9.
Deftcom, Inc. -
Tucson
,
Arkansas
10.
Green Master, Inc. -
Apopka
,
Florida
11.
ACI Manufacturing Company LP d/b/a/ AAA Furniture Wholesale, Inc. -
Houston
,
Texas
12.
Plutus Environmental Technologies, Inc. -
Sevierville
,
Tennessee
13.
Sunfresh, Inc. -
Royal City
,
Washington
********
The
Department of Homeland security will no longer waive the I-90 and Form I-551
photograph requirements for religious reasons. On
February 14, 2003
, The Department of Justice issued a field memorandum stating that in light of
national security related to the events of
September 11, 2001
, there will no discretionary waivers of the photograph requirement except for
those specifically provided to accommodate advanced aged or physical infirmity.
*******
Effective
April 1, 2003
, legal immigrants with 5 years of residence in the
United States
will be eligible for food stamps. On
October 1, 2003
, legal immigrant children will be eligible for food stamps without a waiting
period.
********
On
March 21, 2003
, the Department of Justice officials say that former U.S consulate employees in
Nuevo Laredo
,
Mexico
have plead guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. More information on the
case can be found in our
February 7, 2003
newsletter at http://www.visalaw.com/03feb1/13feb103.html.
********
U.S.
District Judge R. Allen Edgar, in the Tyson Foods immigrant case, has dismissed
the immigrant smuggling charges against the company. Other serious immigration
charges, however, remain outstanding against the food company.
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.