The timeframe required to receive naturalized citizenship for immigrants who marry U.S. citizens expedites, but the naturalization process still entails multiple steps over several years. Understanding the rules around citizenship through marriage and following the guidelines precisely ensures the path to citizenship runs as smoothly as possible. Immigrant spouses– either same sex or opposite sex– …
During a visit to the midwest, Francis Cissna, head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), discussed current immigration policy in the country as moving toward employer and economic need. Cissna, named by President Donald Trump last year to lead the agency, met with Lincoln, Neb.-based employees of the area’s immigration service center in late …
Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program designed to enable foreign graduates of U.S. colleges and universities to work in the United States, hit a record high in 2017. Nonetheless, overall growth in the program slowed dramatically. Similar to the H-1B visa program, the OPT program provides a means for foreign graduates to remain in the …
OPT Jobs Hit New 2017 Highs Despite Slower Growth Read More »
Immigration courts around the country begin trialing an electronic filing system as part of a pilot program that’s designed to reduce paper use among federal entities. The pilot, which began in San Diego and York, Pennsylvania in July, Atlanta and Denver courts in August and then Baltimore and Charlotte, North Carolina in September, tests feasibility …
Immigration Courts Trial Electronic Filing Program Read More »
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages local community organizations focused on serving immigrants through citizenship preparedness and civic assimilation programs to apply for grant funding. Through the Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program, USCIS provides up to $10 million in grants for organizations assisting lawful permanent residents– green card holders– with lessons in English, U.S. …
USCIS Accepting Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Applications Read More »
Ongoing armed conflict, along with extraordinary and temporary conditions, supports continuing the current Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Somalia’s approximately 500 beneficiaries. The 18-month continuance of the designation gives nationals the option to maintain the status through March 17, 2020. The extension decision by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and announced …
Winning the endorsement of California’s Democratic Party in early July, veteran Latino politician and state Sen. Kevin de León makes a run at unseating U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein– a fixture in national politics. With the upset by de León, a long-time advocate around immigrant-rights, no doubt the topic of immigration and issues surrounding it will …
Veteran Latino Politician Receives Dem Party Endorsement in California Read More »
As the continued failure of immigration reform measure remains a hallmark of Congressional leadership, large technology companies ponder the future of their workforce. The lack of political direction forces leaders in the technology industry to prepare for a wide range of scenarios to ensure the best outcomes for the business and for people working in …
In June of 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded the lowest Latino unemployment rate — 4.6 percent — since the bureau began keeping records in the early 1970’s. The statistic, down from the May level of 4.9 percent, counts Latinos aged 16 and older. The rate, on a downward trajectory since February 2009, …
Latino Unemployment Rate Hits Lowest Level on Record Read More »
Pew Research Center measures an upward shift in the long-term favorability opinions around immigrants and immigration levels, a change mostly driven by Democrats. Based on a survey conducted between June 5-12 among 2,002 adults, Pew reports a rise in the share of respondents who support increasing documented immigration and a decline among the share of …