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AILA has joined the world of FaceBook and now has its very own page for members and the public to become fans of and show their support. Check out our latest postings and photo album or start a discussion thread. If you're coming to a conference be sure to add our events so your FaceBook friends will know you'll be there.

Cases Snarled in Red Tape

AILA Liaison works to resolve your problem cases and cut through the red tape. Check the eligibility requirements as different agencies and offices have various protocols for liaison inquiries. If eligible, submit your inquiry for cases at the CSC, NBC, NSC, TSC, VSC, DOS, SSA, and/or AAO.

CLINIC's Removal Book Now Available From AILA

Don't be confused by outdated versions of CLINIC's removal book being sold by other distributors! Representing Clients in Immigration Court is CLINIC's completely updated removal reference available exclusively from AILA Publications.

Avoid Consular Processing Roadblocks

Get back on track with the Visa Processing Guide and Consular Posts Handbook! It provides in-depth post profiles on over 70 key consular posts, plus contact information for those not covered in detail.

Ethics, Pro Bono, Mentoring – AILA Has the Resources For You

AILA’s Practice & Professionalism Center can provide the information and assistance you need —whether you are starting a practice, want to improve your business processes, seek guidance resolving an ethical dilemma, or need to meet your pro bono commitments, we are here to help.

Message Center Archives Now Available!

In response to AILA member requests, archives of the old AILA Message Center are now available. The complete archives are available on a flash drive and include 37,898 threads with 95,021 posts in 60 different forums dating from January 2001 to January 2006. Order yours today!

Tell Us What You Want from InfoNet!

How do you use InfoNet? Is there a feature you’ve always wanted added or something you think needs improving? We want to know what you think! As we look ahead to InfoNet 2.0 we want to get feedback from it’s primary users – our members! Visit the What Do You Want from InfoNet? thread on the Message Center and share your ideas and suggestions for what you love or hate about InfoNet and what you’d like to see added or changed.

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Attention New Members! Get Easier Access to Needed Resources

New Members have a comprehensive, yet streamlined portal to access all the benefits of AILA membership, including practice resources, research strategies, and other resources to get the most out of your membership. Visit the revised New Member Division section today!

Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook

Kurzban's Sourcebook will help you locate the law on any immigration topic. It comprehensively summarizes and breaks down this complicated area of practice into concise and easy to understand bullet points.

Recent Postings

Past 2 Weeks Past 4 Weeks

9/2/2010 BIA Reverses IJ Denial Cancellation of Removal Based on Discretion (.pdf 603 KB) Unpublished, redacted 2010 BIA decision reversing IJ discretionary denial of cancellation of removal, finding significant social and humane considerations including close and extensive family ties to U.S. citizens. Courtesy of Robert Carpenter. AILA Doc. No. 10090232.
9/2/2010 EOIR Completes Digital Audio Recording Implementation (.pdf 223 KB) EOIR announcement that it has completed the installation of its Digital Audio Recording (DAR) system in all of its courtrooms. At the conclusion of a hearing, DAR allows for recordings to be available sooner. AILA Doc. No. 10090231.
9/2/2010 AILA/SCOPS Liaison Q&As (8/25/10) (.pdf 217 KB) AILA’s Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee call with SCOPS on 8/25/10 covered the following issues: update on Kazarian v. USCIS, draft memo on Section 204(l), RFE's, H-1Bs, H-2Bs, e-filed I-765s and I-131s, lockbox issues, and more. AILA Doc. No. 10090230.
9/2/2010 DHS PIA on FOIA Privacy Act Records Program (.pdf 337 KB) DHS Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) on DHS FOIA and Privacy Act Program to maintain records created by the Department’s FOIA and PA staff, as well as to manage FOIA and PA systems. AILA Doc. No. 10090266.
9/2/2010 ICE Expands Secure Communities to Polk County, Iowa (.pdf 61 KB) ICE announcement on the expansion of Secure Communities to Polk County, Iowa. ICE is now using the biometric information sharing capability in 574 jurisdictions in 30 states. AILA Doc. No. 10090265.
9/2/2010 ICE Replies to Sign-on Letter Expressing Concern with ICE Response to Utah “Blacklist” (.pdf 378 KB) Letter from ICE Director John Morton to National Immigrant Justice Center in response to 7/27/10 letter signed by AILA and other organizations to DHS on potential immigration enforcement actions related to a list of purported undocumented residents in Utah. AILA Doc. No. 10090267.
9/2/2010 OCAHO Finds No Evidence of Discrimination in Case Involving Landscaping Company (.pdf 70 KB) OCAHO granted Respondent’s motion for summary decision, rejecting the presumption that the mere filing of a labor certification with DOL means that potential H-2B workers will be given preference in hiring. (MAROC et. al. v. Heritage Landscaping Services, 6/17/10). AILA Doc. No. 10090264.
9/2/2010 AILA Liaison FAQs on USCIS Lockbox Processing (.pdf 45 KB) Frequently Asked Questions prepared by AILA Liaison and based on responses from USCIS at the Lockbox Stakeholder meeting on August 24, 2010. AILA Doc. No. 10090263.
9/2/2010 DHS Statement on Pew Hispanic Center Report on Unauthorized Immigration Flows (.pdf 40 KB) Statement by DHS Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler on Pew Hispanic Center Report on Unauthorized Immigration Flows. The statement outlines developments in DHS activities on the southwest border. AILA Doc. No. 10090262.
9/2/2010 Oct. 12: Pitfalls in Immigration Benefits Applications [Web Seminar]
Web Seminar
9/2/2010 ICE I-9 Inspection Activity Picking Up Speed
ICE I-9 Notice of Inspection and subpoena issued by the Chicago field office, demanding production of 11 immigration and employment-related documents. Courtesy of the AILA Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee. AILA Doc. No. 10090260.
9/1/2010 Pew Report: U.S. Unauthorized Immigration Flows Are Down Sharply Since Mid-Decade
Pew Hispanic Center report on the annual inflow of unauthorized immigrants to the U.S. According the report, the annual inflow of unauthorized immigrants was nearly two-thirds smaller in the March 2007 to March 2009 period than it had been from March 2000 to March 2005. AILA Doc. No. 10090168.
9/1/2010 USCIS Comment Request on Extension of Form I-130 Validity
USCIS requests comments on extension of validity Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Comments are due 10/25/10. (75 FR 52540, 8/26/10) AILA Doc. No. 10090166.
9/1/2010 USCIS Comment Request on Information Collection for Special Immigrant Visas for Fourth Preference Employment-Based Broadcasters
USCIS requests comments on an information collection for Special Immigrant Visas for Fourth Preference Employment-Based Broadcasters. Comments are due 10/25/10. (75 FR 52540, 8/26/10) AILA Doc. No. 10090165.
9/1/2010 USCIS Comment Request on Extension of Form I-566 Validity
USCIS requests comments on whether to revise Form I-566, Interagency Record of Individual Requesting Change/Adjustment to or from A or G Status or Requesting A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization. Comments are due 10/25/10. (75 FR 52538, 8/26/10) AILA Doc. No. 10090164.
9/1/2010 USCIS Issues 30-Day Comment Request on Extension of Form I-777 Validity (Updated 9/1/10)
USCIS issued a 30-day comment period on extension of validity of Form I-777, Application for Replacement of Northern Mariana Card. Comments are due 9/27/10. (75 FR 52539, 8/26/10) (75 FR 32799, 06/09/10). AILA Doc. No. 10060970.
9/1/2010 USCIS Memo on Uniform Denial Language Pertaining to Appeals to the BIA (.pdf 244 KB) USCIS 8/26/10 memorandum providing guidance to USCIS officers on uniform denial language pertaining to appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). AILA Doc. No. 10090167.
9/1/2010 VOICE September 2010 (.pdf 9140 KB) Welcome to the September issue of VOICE: An Immigration Dialogue. VOICE is AILA's new digital magazine bringing you the latest immigration news and opinion pieces to get people talking! AILA Doc. No. 10090169.
9/1/2010 Corrected Visa Bulletin for September 2010 (Updated 9/1/10) (.pdf 239 KB) DOS re-released the Visa Bulletin for September 2010. DOS corrected a typo in a prior version that listed Egypt rather than Ethiopia separately in the DV category immigrant numbers for Africa. AILA Doc. No. 10081165.
9/1/2010 Charles Foster, AILA Past President, Is Major Character in Hit Movie
Trailer for "Mao's Last Dancer," in which Charles Foster, immigration attorney to Chinese dancer Li Cunxin and AILA past president, is played by Kyle Maclachlan. AILA Doc. No. 10083034.
9/1/2010 USCIS Issues 30-Day Comment Request on Extension of Form I-243 Validity (Updated 09/01/10)
USCIS issued a 30-day comment period on extension of validity of Form I-243, Application for Removal. Comments are due 9/27/10. (75 FR 52541, 8/26/10) (75 FR 32799, 06/09/10). AILA Doc. No. 10060969.
9/1/2010 Do You Have a Survivor Rights Case (Non-Widow of USC)? AILA Wants to Know!!
The AILA/USCIS Liaison Committee requests examples of survivor rights cases involving deceased petitioners and principal beneficiaries in Employment Based, Family Preference, Asylum/Refugee, and U & T Nonimmigrant visa categories. AILA Doc. No. 10090160.
9/1/2010 CSC Organizational Chart (August 2010) (.pdf 241 KB) California Service Center updated management organization chart reflecting recent personnel changes, including the Director and Acting Deputy Director positions. AILA Doc. No. 10090163.
9/1/2010 DOS Practice Pointer: Medical Grounds of Inadmissibility
The Rome District Chapter informs practitioners regarding updates to the FAM on medical grounds of inadmissibility, which discusses mental health, alcohol abuse or dependence, the role of the panel physician, class "A" or "B" medical conditions, and IV & NIV waivers. AILA Doc. No. 10090162.
9/1/2010 CBP Curriculum for Basic Training Academy (.pdf 680 KB) CBP training curriculum used for Border Patrol Agents and the CBP Office Basic Academy, which is based on job task analyses from which CBP has developed a "Critical Task List" to ensure that training lessons are congruent with tasks performed in the field. AILA Doc. No. 10090161.
9/1/2010 Constitutional Anatomy of an ICE Home Raid, Arrest, Detention & Removal Seminar Recording
This AILA Seminar recording is available for purchase; choose from immediate download or CD. This seminar examined constitutional implications of an ICE home enforcement action, issues raised when your client is arrested, detained and placed in removal proceedings. AILA Doc. No. 10071562.
8/31/2010 CSC and VSC H-L-O-P Adjudication Statistics FY2008 - FY2010 (Through July) (.pdf 57 KB) Statistics obtained by the Los Angeles Times from USCIS comparing H-L-O-P adjudication rates between the CSC and VSC for FY2008, FY2009, and FY2010 through July. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times. AILA Doc. No. 10083176.
8/31/2010 ESTA Travel Promotion Fee for Visa Waiver Program Travelers
AILA reminds practitioners that the requirement of travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to pay operational and travel promotion fees when applying for ESTA begins on 9/8/10. AILA Doc. No. 10083175.
8/31/2010 ICE Issues Extension of Information Collection and Comment Request on IMAGE Program Application Form (Updated 8/31/10)
ICE issued an extension of information collection and comment request on the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) Information Request and Membership Application. Comments will be accepted until 9/30/10. (75 FR 53322, 8/31/10) (75 FR 33319, 6/11/10). AILA Doc. No. 10061167.
8/31/2010 ICE Issues Extension of Information Collection and Comment Request on NSEERS (Updated 8/31/10)
ICE issued an extension of information collection and comment request on NSEERS. Comments will be accepted until 9/30/10. (75 FR 53322, 08/31/10) (75 FR 24721, 5/05/10) AILA Doc. No. 10060261.
8/31/2010 New Appointment Service for All Visa Applicants in Canada (.pdf 83 KB) Alert from the U.S. Embassy in Canada notifying the public that they will be transitioning to a new appointment service for applicants applying for visas to come into the United States. The new service begins on September 1, 2010. AILA Doc. No. 10083174.
8/31/2010 AILA Leadership Blog: Investing in America
AILA President David Leopold writes about the EB-5 Investor’s Conference and the projected impact of comprehensive immigration reform.
8/31/2010 DHS Announces Unmanned Flights to Monitor Southwest Border (.pdf 41 KB) DHS announcement of the deployment of Predator Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flights out of Corpus Christi, Texas, beginning on 9/1/10, to provide aerial surveillance of the Southwest Border. AILA Doc. No. 10083173.
8/31/2010 Dec. 16: Religious Workers Update [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 FY2011 H-1B Cap Count (Updated 8/31/10)
USCIS updated its count of FY 2011 cap-subject H-1B petitions and advanced degree cap-exempt petitions receipted. As of 8/27/10, approximately 34,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. USCIS has receipted 13,000 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees. AILA Doc. No. 10042368.
8/31/2010 Dec. 9: Consular Processing Versus Adjustment of Status [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 30: Intercountry Adoption—What You Don't Know Can Hurt You [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 23: Applications for E-2 Visas for Small Businesses [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 16: The Five Things to Know about Employment-Based Visa Quotas [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 4: Allied Health Care Professionals [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 2: How to Deal with Non-Paying Clients [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Oct. 19: Consular Processing Pitfalls [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Oct. 21: Practical Litigation Strategies Regarding Recent Supreme Court and BIA Decisions [Audio Seminar]
Audio Seminar
8/31/2010 Nov. 18: Extreme and Unusual Adjustments [Web Seminar]
Web Seminar
8/31/2010 Oct. 28: The ABCs of Outbound Immigration [Web Seminar]
Web Seminar
8/31/2010 Oct. 26: When Employment-Based I-485 Applications Get Complicated [Web Seminar]
Web Seminar
8/31/2010 Oct. 14: Working with Educational Institutions and Designated School Officials [Web Seminar]
Web Seminar
8/31/2010 September 14: Moving to the Head of the Class—EB-1 and NIW Petitions (Audio Seminar)
This panel will focus on current adjudication trends and strategies for filing EB-1 and EB-2 national interest waiver immigrant visa petitions. Registration is open until 11:59pm, Monday, September 13. AILA Doc. No. 10051372.
8/30/2010 CBP Information on Forms I-192 and I-824 (.pdf 255 KB) CBP webpage offering information on Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant and Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition. AILA Doc. No. 10083038.
8/30/2010 DOS Links on Pakistan Flood Relief
DOS provides links to humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for flood response efforts in Pakistan. AILA Doc. No. 10083037.
8/30/2010 HRW Report: Detained and at Risk
Human Rights Watch report, Detained and at Risk, describes documented incidents and allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in U.S. immigration detention. The report also discusses recent ICE proposals to address the issue. AILA Doc. No. 10083035.
8/30/2010 USCIS Requests Comments on Interim Guidance Centralizing Orphan Processing in Nepal (.pdf 323 KB) USCIS seeks comments on interim guidance implementing the Nepal Initiative, which centralizes adjudication of clearly approvable Forms I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, filed on behalf of children residing in Nepal. Comments are due 9/13/10. AILA Doc. No. 10083033.
8/30/2010 USCIS Announces Change to Filing Location for Nepali Adoption Petitions (.pdf 245 KB) USCIS update announcing that any U.S. citizen seeking to adopt a Nepali child, whose case is not affected by the suspension of processing cases involving Nepali children claimed to have been found abandoned, should file the Form I-600 with the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. AILA Doc. No. 10083032.
8/30/2010 ICE Approves Special Relief for Certain Haitian F-1 Students to Obtain Employment Authorization (.pdf 227 KB) ICE announcement of the approval of special relief for certain F-1 Haitian students who suffered severe economic hardship due to the 1/12/10 earthquake in Haiti. The suspension of certain regulatory requirements allows eligible students to obtain employment authorization. AILA Doc. No. 10083031.
8/30/2010 AILA Leadership Blog: Crying Wolf
AILA President David Leopold writes about a recently released ICE memo on how to handle deportation cases involving foreign nationals who are also legally eligible to apply for green cards. AILA Doc. No. 10083030.
8/30/2010 Complete Coverage of EB-5 Investor Visas from AILA’s Sold Out CLE
Audio recordings from AILA’s EB-5 Investor CLE Conference are now available for purchase. Topics included preparing and filing an EB-5, country-specific issues, EB-5 adjudications and more! Get up-to-speed when it’s convenient for you - from your office, home, car or iPod! AILA Doc. No. 10083036.
8/27/2010 August 26: Nonimmigrant Options for Teachers (Audio Seminar)
This AILA Seminar recording is available for purchase; choose from immediate download or CD. This seminar provided insight on navigating the immigration options for teachers in the pre-school, elementary and high school settings. AILA Doc. No. 10051371.
8/27/2010 FY2011 H-2B Cap Count (Updated 08/27/10)
As of 8/26/10, USCIS receipted 4,841 petitions, toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for the first half of the fiscal year. This count includes 3,364 approved and 1,187 pending petitions. AILA Doc. No. 10080468.
8/26/2010 BIA on IJ Authority to Determine Frivolity of Asylum Applications (.pdf 218 KB) A determination that an alien has filed a frivolous asylum application can be made in the absence of a final decision on the merits of the application or in circumstances where the asylum application has been withdrawn. Matter of X-M-C-, 25 I&N Dec. 322 (BIA 2010). AILA Doc. No. 10082637.
8/26/2010 AILA’s Immigration This Week: August 26, 2010
AILA’s Immigration This Week discusses updates from USCIS, CBP, ICE, DOS, EOIR, and AILA Liaison Activity, as well as information on how to search for AILA committees or groups and the Tip of the Week. AILA Doc. No. 10082636.
8/26/2010 AILA/USCIS Liaison Practice Pointer: Understanding the New H & L Fee Imposed by Public Law 111-230
The AILA/USCIS Liaison Committee explains to practitioners the effect of the new H and L fee on employers with 50 or more employees in the U.S., for which more than 50% of their workforce is on H and L visas. AILA Doc. No. 10082633.
8/26/2010 AILA/DOS Liaison Practice Pointer: Kentucky Consular Center Audit of Nonimmigrant Visa Petitions, Including Unannounced Telephonic Contact of Employers
The AILA/DOS Liaison Committee offers background information and concrete examples of questions the KCC may ask when auditing nonimmigrant visa petitions. AILA Doc. No. 10082634.
8/26/2010 AILA/DOS Liaison Committee: Request for Advisory Opinions and VO Guidance
The AILA/DOS Liaison Committee requests examples from AILA members of DOS Advisory Opinions and Visa Office guidance received. The committee hopes to collect such responses for the benefit of the AILA membership and to have a pulse on the positions of the Visa Office. AILA Doc. No. 10082635.
8/26/2010 DHS Expects Over 2,200 Agents Deployed on Northern Border by End of 2010 (.pdf 223 KB) DHS press release on visit of DHS Secretary Napolitano to Montana to tour CBP operations and meet with officials on border issues. DHS expects to have over 2,200 Border Patrol agents deployed along the northern border by the end of 2010, a 700 percent increase since 9/11/01. AILA Doc. No. 10082632.
8/26/2010 USCIS Invitation to Listening Session with AAO (.pdf 263 KB) USCIS invitation to listening session with AAO on 10/20/10. Perry Rhew, Chief of the AAO, will discuss the precedent decision process and current AAO case processing. Registration information included in the invitation. AILA Doc. No. 10082631.
8/26/2010 NVC Immigrant Visa Electronic Processing (.pdf 224 KB) The National Visa Center (NVC) offers information on the pilot project Immigrant Visa Electronic Processing Program which uses elctronic communication and documentation methods to simplify and accelerate the immigrant visa application process. AILA Doc. No. 10082638.
8/25/2010 BIA Modifies Matter of Rocha Decision on Controlled Substance Traffickers (.pdf 215 KB) An alien is removable, where an appropriate immigration official knows or has reason to believe alien is a controlled substance trafficker at time of admission. Matter of Rocha, modified. Matter of Casillas-Topete, 25 I&N Dec. 317 (BIA 2010). AILA Doc. No. 10082536.
8/25/2010 USCIS Updates O-1 Visa Webpage (.pdf 289 KB) USCIS updated webpage on O-1 Visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. Topics include eligibility, application process, evidentiary criteria, extension of stay, family, changing employers, and material change in terms and conditions of employment. AILA Doc. No. 10082535.
8/25/2010 2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (.pdf 940 KB) DHS Office of Immigration Statistics 2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. Report includes tables on legal permanent residents, refugees and asylees, naturalizations, nonimmigrant admissions, and enforcement actions. AILA Doc. No. 10082534.
8/25/2010 The Pulse: AILA’s Capitol Beat – August 24 2010
The 236th issue of the AILA Advocacy Department’s proactive advocacy briefing. In this issue, read about a new report from NCLR about the impact of the 287(g) program on the Latino community. Also, watch AILA’s Solutions Video and share it with friends, clients, and family. AILA Doc. No. 10082533.
8/25/2010 ICE Memo on Guidance for Removal Proceedings Involving Aliens with Pending or Approved Applications or Petitions (.pdf 907 KB) An 8/20/10 ICE memo from Assistant Secretary John Morton, establishing policy for ICE to request expedited adjudication of an application or petition for an alien in removal proceedings that is pending before USCIS if approval would provide an immediate basis for relief. AILA Doc. No. 10082561.
8/25/2010 Remarks by ICE Director John Morton at Border Enforcement Security Task Force Training Conference (.pdf 238 KB) Remarks by ICE Director John Morton at the 2010 Border Enforcement Security Task Force annual conference including announcement of four new task forces opening in NM, LA, WA, and NC. AILA Doc. No. 10082565.
8/25/2010 ICE Arrests 76 Foreign Nationals in Arizona Operation Community Shield Effort (.pdf 235 KB) ICE press release on the arrest of 76 foreign nationals who are gang members or gang associates as a result from ICE Community Shield enforcement effort in Phoenix and Yuma. Individuals who are not being prosecuted on criminal charges are being processed for deportation. AILA Doc. No. 10082563.
8/25/2010 EOIR to Relocate Philadelphia Immigration Court (.pdf 215 KB) EOIR announcement on the closing of the Philadelphia Immigration Court on 8/27/10, to prepare for relocation to the Robert C. Nix Federal Building in Philadelphia, PA. The Court will recommence hearings at the new location on 9/1/10. AILA Doc. No. 10082560.
8/24/2010 BALCA Grants AILA’s Motion to Appear as Amicus Curiae in Matter of Syracuse University (.pdf 57 KB) BALCA granted a motion for extension of time to file briefs and AILA’s motion to appear as amicus curiae in a case involving recruitment requirements for a university professor. Matter of Syracuse University, 2010-PER-00772 (8/19/10). AILA Doc. No. 10082465.
8/24/2010 BALCA Grants En Banc Review, Vacates Matter of East Tennessee State University (.pdf 98 KB) BALCA granted en banc review and vacated the denial of a case involving a professor that held that the “more qualified” standard under 20 CFR 656.18 does not apply where the school uses basic recruitment under 656.17. Matter of ETSU, 2010-PER-00038 (8/18/10). AILA Doc. No. 10082464.
8/24/2010 AILA Liaison/CBP Meeting Report (3/25/2010) (Updated 8/24/10) (.pdf 106 KB) AILA/CBP liaison report addresses transparency, security NAFTA, ESTA, NTA errors, WHTI, ports, H & L Visas, returning LPRs, TRIP, SENTRI, NEXUS, US-VISIT, TSA, training issues, Cuban parolees, fraud, G-28I, ARO, waivers, I-94s, and more. AILA Doc. No. 10072870.
8/24/2010 AILA Selected as One of the Best in the Nation for Benefits
An independent judging panel of employee benefits experts named AILA as one of the 2010 winners of The Principal® 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security, citing their extraordinary efforts to avoid cutting benefits. AILA Doc. No. 10082463.
8/24/2010 AILA Liaison/NBC Meeting Minutes (5/12/10) (.pdf 26 KB) The 5/12/10 meeting minutes address NBC’s latest updates, K visa RFEs, EAD adjudications, I-290B processing times, I-824 filings, and more. AILA Doc. No. 10082462.
8/24/2010 Diversifying Your Practice and Increasing Profitability (.pdf 171 KB) In a fluctuating economy, it is beneficial for a law firm to be diversified within the field of immigration law; however, many lawyers are reluctant to diversify because of the business risks. This helpful article discusses how to reduce those risks and improve profitability. AILA Doc. No. 10082461.
8/24/2010 Just One Week Left to Enter the Kurzban's Haiku Contest!
The second Kurzban’s New Edition Haiku Contest is now underway. The top 5 winning haiku will be posted on InfoNet and a free copy of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook, 12th Edition, will be donated to each winner’s favorite nonprofit legal organization in his or her name. AILA Doc. No. 10073061.
8/23/2010 DHS Assessment of CBP Training Materials on Border Searches of Electronic Devices (.pdf 124 KB) DHS report presenting a summary of the CBP, the DHS Privacy Office, CBP Privacy Office, and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties joint review of CBP training materials and course matter on border searches of electronic devices. AILA Doc. No. 10082365.
8/23/2010 DHS Final Rule: Privacy Act Exemptions for USCIS Compliance Tracking and Management System
DHS final rule on Privacy Act exemptions for the Compliance Tracking and Management System of Records. CTMS supports monitoring and compliance for SAVE and E-Verify information. The rule is effective 8/23/10 and includes responses to AILA comments. (75 FR 51619, 8/23/10) AILA Doc. No. 10082364.
8/23/2010 ICE Arrests 23 Foreign Nationals in New England Operation Community Shield Task Force Effort (.pdf 45 KB) ICE press release on the arrest of 23 foreign nationals who are gang members or have gang ties. The arrests resulted from a New England ICE Community Shield enforcement effort. Individuals who are not being prosecuted on criminal charges are being processed for deportation. AILA Doc. No. 10082363.
8/23/2010 ICE Arrests 32 Foreign Nationals in Las Vegas Operation Community Shield Effort (.pdf 43 KB) ICE press release on the arrest of 32 foreign nationals with suspected gang ties in the Las Vegas area as the result of an ICE Operation Community Shield enforcement effort. Those individuals who are not being prosecuted on criminal charges are being processed for removal. AILA Doc. No. 10082362.
8/23/2010 DOS Visa Policy Update: Introduction of the ESTA Fee for Visa Waiver Travelers (.pdf 60 KB) DOS visa policy cable providing additional information on implementation of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) and fee collection for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). DOS provides talking points and requests that posts engage in outreach. AILA Doc. No. 10082361.
8/23/2010 CA9 Reverses Ruiz-Diaz and Remands for Further Proceedings on RFRA and Constitutional Claims
CA9 panel reversed and remanded for further proceedings, the district court decision allowing religious workers to file their adjustment of status applications concurrently with the organizations’ I-360 petition. (Ruiz-Diaz v. USA, 8/20/10). Courtesy of Robert Gibbs. AILA Doc. No. 10082330.
8/23/2010 Tell Us: Is the Content on InfoNet Organized in a Useful Manner?
In addition to being searchable, all of the documents on InfoNet are available through the left-hand navigation. Is this organization useful to you? Do you know of a way to make it better? Share your opinion on the Message Center. AILA Doc. No. 10081074.
8/23/2010 Limited Registration Spaces Remain for AIC/AILA Litigation Institute
The 2010 Litigation Institute is nearing capacity - limited space remains! Submit your application today. The Institute takes place October 8-10 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA (suburban Washington, D.C.) AILA Doc. No. 10071366.
8/20/2010 AILA New Members Division Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 3 (.pdf 764 KB) Meet the 2010-2011 New Members Division Steering Committee and hear about some of the NMD events that were held at the 2010 AILA Annual Conference last month. AILA Doc. No. 10082065.
8/20/2010 USCIS Draft Memo for Comment on Evaluation of Evidentiary Criteria in Certain Form I-140 Petitions (.pdf 284 KB) USCIS seeks comments on a draft policy memo that would require ISOs to use the two-part approach set forth in the CA9 Kazarian v. USCIS decision for certain Form I-140 petitions. Comments are due 9/3/10. The draft memo follows the comment instructions. AILA Doc. No. 10082064.
8/20/2010 EOIR Relocates Portland Immigration Court (.pdf 74 KB) As of 8/23/10, the EOIR Portland Immigration Court will be located at 1001 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 400, Portland, Oregon 97204. The court’s phone and fax numbers remain the same. This announcement includes hours of operation. AILA Doc. No. 10082063.
8/20/2010 TSC Introduces Streamline Procedure for I-485s and I-140s (Updated 11/18/08)
The TSC has introduced a new e-mail procedure to help identify I-485 and I-140 cases that have remained pending beyond the stated TSC processing times posted on the USCIS website. I-485 cases may be identified only when immigrant visa availability has been reached. AILA Doc. No. 08103067.
8/20/2010 USCIS TSC E-mail Pilot Initiative (.pdf 543 KB) On 4/22/10, TSC announced the pilot initiative of an employment based I-485 special notification protocol. TSC has offered an e-mail to use when attempting to correct issues such as cross chargeability, use of AC21, transferring an adjustment case, and more. AILA Doc. No. 10050464.
8/20/2010 ICE Arrests 158 Individuals in Utah Operation Community Shield Task Force Effort (.pdf 40 KB) ICE press release on the arrest of 158 foreign nationals with suspected gang ties. The arrests were the result of a coordinated effort by ICE’s Operation Community Shield Task Force, and represents Utah’s largest ever ICE-led gang enforcement action. AILA Doc. No. 10082062.
8/20/2010 Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting Charges (.pdf 23 KB) DOJ press release announcing that a Missouri man pled guilty to fraud in foreign labor contracting charges arising from his role in a criminal enterprise including forced labor and visa fraud. AILA Doc. No. 10082061.
8/20/2010 Inadequate Inspection Cases Seminar Recording
This AILA Seminar recording is available for purchase; choose from immediate download or CD. This seminar addressed the intricacies of proving inspection and admission in immigration court or before USCIS where no evidence was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. AILA Doc. No. 10051370.
8/20/2010 AILA’s Immigration This Week: August 19, 2010
AILA’s Immigration This Week discusses updates from EOIR, USCIS, DHS, AILA liaison news, the tip of the week, as well as updates regarding the suit challenging employer-employee/third-party placement memo and much more. AILA Doc. No. 10082060

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