San Francisco Immigration Law Blog

CBP ESTA and Visa Waiver Program VWP FAQs add Social Media https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq While the Social Media questions on the ESTA / Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Application are optional and are not required to be answered. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) updated their ESTA / VWP FAQs to advise that social media profiles are subject to review at admission to

The DOS and IRS May Share Financial Information Regarding an I-864 Affidavit of Support Clients at times inquire if their financial information supplied during a visa application process is available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). While the exchange of information is not automatic. It is authorized to verify information provided by the applicant or where fraud is suspected. Sponsors

ICE Immigration Victims Office (VOICE) Warning! https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/04/26/dhs-announces-launch-new-office-victims-illegal-immigrant-crime On April 26, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly announced the official launch of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE). ICE is charged with a mission to identify, arrest, and remove aliens who present a danger to national security or are a risk to

CBP Deploys Biometric Exit Technology at Washington Dulles and Boston Logan Other Airports to Follow CBP News Release June 2, 2017 https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-deploys-biometric-exit-technology-washington-dulles CBP has deployed facial recognition biometric technology at Washington Dulles International Airport for one daily flight from the United States to Dubai and Boston Logan International Airport to Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba. Using this technology, CBP

While we are temporarily required to file H1B Extensions of Stay (EOS) Petitions for an H-1B worker to continue the same employment with the same employer at Nebraska Service Center to balance (NSC) USCIS workload. Now, temporarily, USCIS is transferring H-1B EOS I-129 petitions and accompanying H4 I-539 EOS and I-765 EAD from the NSC to the California Service Center

H Employers may expect increased scrutiny and site visits as the Secretary of Labor Directs Agencies to Aggressively Confront Visa Program Fraud and Abuse The Secretary of Labor affirms the focus of DOL to “enforce vigorously all laws within its jurisdiction governing the administration and enforcement of nonimmigrant visa programs.” The notice outlines steps that DOL will take to investigate

USCIS to update H-1B guidance to the USCIS Policy Manual in response to Senate request for action on H1B Program. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Grassley%20Signed%20Response%205.24.17.pdf USCIS Acting Director James McCament responded to a letter from Senator Charles Grassley with concerns on the H-1B program. The letter states, “USCIS continues to review all policies related to the H-1B program and is planning to publish an

USCIS publishes Regional Center termination notices online and updates the page with additional termination notices as they become available. A regional center that USCIS has terminated from the EB-5 visa program may not solicit, generate, or promote investors or investments in connection with the Immigrant Investor Program. Visit the USCIS website for the most recent list of termination notices. About

CBP I-94 Website Feature Notifies Travelers of Departure Date https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/05/31/cbp-reminds-travelers-departure-date-new-i-94-website-feature WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website reminds travelers of their last possible departure date from the United States according to the terms of their admission by email. Visa Waiver Program travelers may check how much longer they can remain in the United States without overstaying the terms