Immigration Raids Washington Aircraft Parts Manufacturer

Immigration raided a Puget Sound aerospace manufacturer, Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. (AMT) , arresting 32 illegal workers. AMT is a leading supplier of frame and interior parts for commercial and military aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and 777. According to Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of ICE's office of investigations in Seattle. "Today's enforcement action is part of ICE's ongoing nationwide effort to shut down the employment magnet fueling illegal immigration.

Immigration Arrests more than 160 employees at a Houston rag-exporting company

As part of its ongoing stepped up enforcement efforts to investigate worksites, Immigration raided a Houston rag-exporting company, Action Rags USA, an international supplier of used clothing and arrested more than 160 employees

Immigration Issues New I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form

Immigration has issued a new I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and posted it to its website www.uscis.gov. It is effective 06/16/08. The previous editions of Form I-9 will not be accepted.

House approves extension of EB-5 Pilot Program

On Friday the House of Representatives approved an extension of the EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program until 2013. This program provides for an investor green card based upon a $500,000 investment in an approved targeted regional center.

A Bipartisan group of Senators Introduced a bill to improve detention conditions of asylum seekers and detainees

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill to improve the conditions of asylum seekers and other detainees in detention.

EB-3 Visas to be unavailable until October

Effective with the publication of the July Visa Bulletin, EB-3 visas will become unavailable from July 1, 2008 until the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2008. Immigration has confirmed that they will still accept adjustment cases for filing through June 30, 2008. This highlights the extreme need for more visas for highly skilled workers for our economy.

House to hold hearings on additional visas for skilled workers today

The House sub-committee on Immigration, chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D) will hold hearings today on the need for additional visas for skilled workers and nurses.

Immigration Announces that it will issue EAD cards for 2years

DHS secretary Chertof announced that Immigration will begin to issue EAD - Employment Authorization Documents for a period of 2 years, instead of 1 year, for persons who are pending adjustment of status; that is they are waiting for their green card applications to be processed. This will save a substantial amount of work for employers, employees as well as Immigration, since applicants will not have to apply to renew their EAD card while their application is pending.

State Department Issues July Visa Bulletin

The State Department issued the July Visa Bulletin. The EB-3 category for skilled workers has retrogressed and become unavailable for the rest of the fiscal year, until October 1st.

White House issues executive order limiting federal contracts to e-verify employers

The White House issued an executive order which limits the issuance of federal contracts to employers who use immigration's "e-verify" program, that electronically verifies the work authorization of its employees.

House to hold hearings on need for green cards for highly skilled workers

On June 12, 2008, the house sub-c0mmittee on immigration will hold hearings on the need for green cards for highly skilled workers. These hearings will be held in connection with 3 recent bills regarding expansion of visas for highly skilled workers.

Anti-Immigrant Groups file suit to Block Extension of OPT

A coalition of anti-immigrant groups filed suit to block the implementation of a recent Bush administration regulation that extends the period of OPT, occupational practical training, from 12 months to 29 months, for certain college graduates in computers, math and engineering. They are contending that the administration lacked the power to implement this regulation, and that this is really just an "end-run" around the 65,000 H-1B visa cap, which has been exhausted.