Audit Reveals E-Verify Errors by the SSA Regarding Its Own New Hires

As reported by The Washington Times, the Social Security Administration (SSA) failed to run electronic employment verification (E-Verify) checks on 19% of the employees it hired in 2008 and 2009. The SSA, along with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administers the E-Verify program.

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USCIS Memo Outlines Employer-Employee Relationship for H-1B Purposes

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Associate Director for Service Center Operations has issued a detailed memo (pdf) regarding how to determine, when evaluating H-1B visa petitions, whether an employer-employee relationship exists and will continue to exist. The memo, which is addressed to USCIS Service Center Directors, discusses:

  • scenarios that do and do not represent a valid employer-employee relationship;
  • documentation to establish the employer-employee relationship;
  • requests for evidence to establish the employer-employee relationship; and
  • regulatory compliance.

DHS Grants Temporary Protected Status to Haitians

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that, due to the devastating effects of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, it is granting an 18-month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12. Individuals without nationality who last resided in Haiti also may apply for TPS. The announcement specified that “[t]hose who attempt to travel to the United States after January 12, 2010 will not be eligible for TPS and will be repatriated.”

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ICE to Update Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

In the January 5, 2010 Federal Register, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outlined (pdf) its two-phase process for updating the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS collects information on:

  • prospective, current and former foreign students, exchange visitors and their spouses entering the U.S. on F, M or J nonimmigrant visas; and
  • officials of approved schools and designated sponsors.
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USCIS Provides Q&A on Vaccination Requirements

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a Q&A webpage concerning vaccination requirements for immigrants. The webpage provides general information concerning:

  • vaccination requirements;
  • procedural requirements; and
  • required forms (e.g., Form I-693 - civil surgeon endorsement);

The webpage also includes telephone numbers and links to websites for obtaining further information regarding vaccination requirements.
 

United Kingdom: Identity Cards for Skilled Migrant Workers Now Available

As this blog previously noted, as of January 6, 2010, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has started issuing identity cards to skilled foreign workers and their dependents. The identity card confirms the holder's identity, nationality, and immigration status in the UK, and also indicates whether the holder is authorized to work or study under the country’s points-based immigration system.

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State Department Releases February 2010 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for February 2010. The bulletin outlines:

  • how many visas are statutorily made available;
  • how many visas are available based on type (family-sponsored, employment-based, diversity); and
  • the allocation (by percentage) of these visas. 

Turkey: Online Work Permit Application System Planned for 2010

Turkey’s Labor and Social Security Ministry plans to launch an online application system for work permits this year, according to Today’s Zaman. The new system will speed up the application process and allow employers to track an application’s status. In the interim, petitioning employers must request a password through Turkey’s government web portal and then submit required documents by mail or in person. Decisions regarding applications will be sent to a company email address.

Image credit: Marc Mongenet

UAE: Transition to Single Application for Visas, Labor and Identification Cards

Gulfnews.com reports that a single application form for United Arab Emirates residence visas, labor cards and identification cards will be available later this year. Instead of providing the same biographical data (e.g., name, nationality, marital status) on three separate applications, petitioners will complete one application and the information supplied will be used to process all three official documents. Approved applicants will then be issued an all-purpose identification card.

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USCIS Further Extends Validity Period of Medical Endorsements

A recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo (pdf) directs field offices, when evaluating adjustment of immigration status petitions decided before January 1, 2011, to accept as valid a Form I-693 (pdf) civil surgeon endorsement that was signed more than one year prior to the evaluation if:

• the endorsement was included with the initial adjustment status application; and
• no Class A or B medical condition is listed in sections 2, 3 or 4 of Part 2.

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