USCIS Publica Informe De Arrestos De Extranjeros Ilegales Que Solicitan DACA

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) actualizó los datos (PDF, 745 KB) sobre arrestos y detenciones de extranjeros ilegales que solicitaron Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por sus siglas en inglés).

La divulgación de este informe refleja el enfoque continuo que la agencia da a la transparencia. El informe proporciona información actualizada sobre sobre arrestos y detenciones conocidas de peticionarios de DACA. Los datos pueden incluir arrestos que no resultaron en convicciones o donde los cargos fueron retirados o de otro modo desestimados. Entre los hallazgos del informe están los siguientes:

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4623-Informe-De-Arrestos-De-Extranjeros-Que-Solicitan-DACA.html

 

Fuente: El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración (USCIS)

USCIS Proposes Increased Fees For All Immigration-Related Applications

By Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

In a new proposal officially put forward on Thursday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) called for major fee hikes for immigration-related applications.

The cost for becoming a citizen would rise above $1,000 for the first time in history. In another first, USCIS proposed a new fee for asylum seekers, which would make the United States only the fourth country in the world to charge for humanitarian protection. Advocates decried the fee increases as an attack on legal immigration.

Under the proposed fees, an applicant for a green card through marriage who was applying from inside the United States would have to pay $2,750 in total. This is a $990 increase from the previous costs.

Applicants for citizenship would also pay over 60% more, with the total fees increasing from $725 to $1,170.

USCIS also plans to abolish fee waivers for a wide variety of applications, including for naturalization.

Currently, nearly 40% of applicants for citizenship receive a fee waiver, making this a significant change that could hit seniors and low-income immigrants the hardest. Under the agency’s plan, only fee waivers required by law would be allowed, with all other fee waivers abolished.

Some groups will be particularly impacted, including crime and trafficking victims seeking U visas or T visas. Individuals seeking these visas often need to file Form I-192, which allows them to officially reenter the United States on the new visa. The current fee is $930, for which a fee waiver is available.

Under the new proposal, the fee would increase to $1,415 and no fee waivers would be available. This could mean that victims of trafficking would be unable to afford the visa allowing them to stay in the United States, even though they were otherwise eligible to receive it.

USCIS also proposes to charge people $50 to ask for asylum, which the agency says will discourage “frivolous filings.” Currently, only Iran, Fiji, and Australia charge a fee for asylum seekers. The $50 fee would likely prove prohibitive to people seeking asylum—who are not legally allowed to work in the United States until after applying for asylum.

A $50 fee for applying for asylum would also have devastating effects on asylum seekers in detention, who earn at most $1 a day through Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s so-called “voluntary work program.”

Because fees set by USCIS apply automatically to applicants in immigration court, it would take a new regulation in the immigration court system to exempt detained asylum seekers. USCIS also proposes to hike fees an additional 6% across the board, and then send $200,000,000 yearly to ICE to use however that agency wishes. In essence, they would be forcing immigrants to pay extra in order to detain and deport other immigrants. However, the agency acknowledges that it may need congressional approval in order to do this.

Taken as a whole, these changes would make it more expensive to legally immigrate, imposing significant burdens on low-income immigrants in particular. The agency is soliciting comments on the new fees, with the comment period set to end on December 16, and opposition to the rule is likely to be strong.

Given the significant impact of theses changes, if the agency moves forward with its plan it’s likely to face opposition in court.

Source: www.immigrationimpact.com

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4620-USCIS-Proposes-Increased-Fees.html

USCIS Denial Rates For H-1B Petitions Have Quadrupled

By Walter Ewing www.immigrationimpact.com//

The Trump administration, acting through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is disrupting the process by which U.S. employers obtain work authorization for highly skilled foreign professionals.

According to a report from the National Foundation for American Policy, these changes are affecting how often H-1B petitions are denied and the length of time it takes to adjudicate them. The administration is doing this absent any changes in the law by Congress and is circumventing the federal rulemaking process. The report finds that, between Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 and the first three quarters of FY 2019, denial rates for H-1B petitions for “initial” employment for new employees have quadrupled from 6% to 24%. Denial rates for H-1B petitions for “continuing” employment (mostly for existing employees) also quadrupled from 3% to 12% over the same period.

There was a slight increase in the number of petitions approved in the third quarter of 2019. But the report explains this as a matter of timing—it’s likely that adjudicators at USCIS were approving the least difficult H-1B cases first among those selected in the April 2019 lottery. The increase, therefore, was not the result of any change in the Trump administration’s policies.

USCIS is also issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for a much greater share of “completed” cases than in the past. The purpose of an RFE is to ask for additional evidence of eligibility.

In the first quarter of FY 2019, for instance, RFEs were issued for 60% of completed cases, compared to the historical average of 20%. RFEs delay the adjudication of cases and impose up to $4,500 in extra legal expenses on employers.

Most employers will not invest the time and money in an H-1B petition unless they are reasonably certain that the intended employee will qualify. This makes it even more suspect that the government is denying nearly one-quarter of all H-1B petitions and issuing RFEs in such a large number of cases.

What the Trump administration is trying to do—through agency memoranda and other policy changes—is increase the difficulty of success for any H-1B petition.

The report also points to other research which demonstrates that restrictive H-1B policies don’t automatically free up jobs for native-born workers.

Rather, such policies motivate companies to relocate operations abroad to locales where it is easier to gain access to high-skilled workers. This translates into a net loss of employment, business, and innovative capacity within the United States.

Under the Trump administration, USCIS is undermining the U.S. economy by foreclosing the employment of many qualified workers upon whom U.S. industries depend. In the final analysis, this only serves to shrink the job market for all high-skilled workers, both native-born and foreign-born.

 

Source: www.immigrationimpact.com/ 

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4607-USCIS-Denial-Rates-For-H-1B-Petitions.html

USCIS Changes Policy On Fee Waivers, Potentially Deterring Thousands Of Citizenship Applications

By Melissa Cruz

The cost of filing an application for citizenship—usually a hefty $725—has long been a barrier for some immigrants. Now, a change to the naturalization process may leave even more people priced out of becoming a U.S. citizen.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new policy that will change how the agency determines eligibility for a waiver of its application fees. It is set to go into effect December 2.

The policy will narrow the fee waiver eligibility for those applying for citizenship, green cards in certain categories, work permits, and other immigration benefits.

Currently, USCIS has a straightforward way of determining eligibility for a fee waiver. If an applicant receives a means-tested benefit—such as Medicaid or supplemental food assistance—then they automatically qualify for a fee waiver. As of 2017, approximately 40% of all citizenship applicants requested this fee waiver; most did so by showing they received a means-tested benefit.

The new policy will eliminate the means-tested benefit from the eligibility criteria.

Under the change, people may only request a fee waiver if they can prove their annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if they can demonstrate financial hardship by some other means.

The two remaining alternatives are more difficult to prove. They require substantial documentation and often the help of an attorney. Sifting through this documentation would likely be more time-consuming for an already overburdened USCIS, creating even greater backlogs.

Filing fees may be out of reach for many people, including low-income immigrants, the elderly, and families that file more than one application at a time. With limited ways to get a fee waiver, some people may be deterred from applying for immigration benefits—including citizenship—at all.

The policy change is one of many attacks the Trump administration has made against legal immigration. It comes just two weeks after the Trump administration’s public charge rule got struck down in several federal courts. The rule would have made it easier for the government to deny a green card to immigrants it deemed likely to receive certain public benefits in the future, including non-cash benefits like Medicaid or food stamps. The widely condemned rule , and its counterpart for immigrant visa applicants, was also seen as a “wealth test” for those wanting to live in the United States.

This latest policy change creates more obstacles for people navigating our immigration system. Our process should encourage people to become U.S. citizens, not turn them away with high fees and inflexible criteria.

 

Source: www.immigrationimpact.com 

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4585-USCIS-Changes-Policy-on-Fee-Waivers.html

Formulario Para Petición De Familiar Extranjero Podrá Presentarse En Línea

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) anunció que los peticionarios ahora pueden completar y presentar en línea el Formulario I-130, Petición de Familiar Extranjero. La presentación en línea permite a los extranjeros enviar formularios electrónicamente, verificar el estatus de su caso y recibir notificaciones de USCIS.

"El Formulario I-130 es uno de los formularios del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) más frecuentemente presentados", dijo el director en funciones de USCIS, Ken Cuccinelli. “A medida que continuamos nuestra transición a operaciones sin el uso de documentos impresos, los peticionarios ahora pueden experimentar la conveniencia de presentar solicitudes electrónicamente. USCIS ha aumentado la cantidad de formularios disponibles para la presentación en línea a fin de hacer que nuestra agencia sea más efectiva y eficiente”.

Utilice este Formulario I-130, Petición de Familiar Extranjero si usted es un ciudadano o residente permanente legal de Estados Unidos que necesita demostrar la relación que tiene con ciertos familiares extranjeros que desean inmigrar a Estados Unidos.

Diligenciar el Formulario I-130 es solo el primer paso para ayudar a un familiar a inmigrar a Estados Unidos. La presentación o aprobación de esta petición generalmente no le otorga a su familiar ningún estatus en Estados Unidos. Una vez aprobada la petición, su familiar puede solicitar convertirse en un residente permanente legal (LPR, por sus siglas en inglés). Ciertos familiares deben esperar hasta que haya un número de visa disponible antes de que puedan presentar una solicitud para convertirse en LPR. Por lo general, los familiares físicamente presentes en Estados Unidos pueden presentar una solicitud ante USCIS presentando el Formulario I-485, Solicitud de Registro de Residencia Permanente o Ajuste de Estatus. Por lo general, los familiares que residen fuera de Estados Unidos pueden solicitar una visa con el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos.

Con la adición de hoy, las personas ahora pueden presentar ocho formularios de USCIS en línea:

• Formulario I-90, Solicitud para Reemplazar la Tarjeta de Residente Permanente (Green Card);
• Formulario I-130, Petición de Familiar Extranjero;
• Formulario I-539, Solicitud de Extensión o Cambio de Estatus de No Inmigrante (el Formulario I-539 es la primera solicitud en línea que utiliza la herramienta eProcessing (procesamiento en línea) de USCIS. Verifique su elegibilidad para la presentación en línea de este formulario en uscis.gov/i539online ).
• Formulario N-336, Solicitud de Audiencia sobre Decisión en los Procedimientos de Naturalización bajo Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad;
• Formulario N-400, Solicitud de Naturalización;
• Formulario N-565, Solicitud de Reemplazo de Documento de Naturalización/Ciudadanía;
• Formulario N-600, Solicitud de Certificado de Ciudadanía;
• Formulario N-600K, Solicitud de Ciudadanía y Emisión del Certificado bajo la Sección 322.

Para presentar estos formularios en línea, las personas primero deben crear una cuenta en línea de USCIS en myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov. Esta cuenta gratuita les permite:

• Presentar y rastrear el estatus de sus formularios;
• Pagar sus tarifas;
• Rastrear el estatus de su caso;
• Comunicarse con USCIS a través de una bandeja de entrada segura, y
• Responder a las solicitudes de evidencia.

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) aún acepta la última versión impresa de todos los formularios enviada por correo.

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) utiliza la innovación y tecnología para satisfacer las necesidades de los solicitantes, peticionarios, empleados y partes interesadas. Independientemente del formato impreso o electrónico de una solicitud o petición, El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) se compromete a garantizar un proceso seguro y eficiente para todos.

 

 

Fuente: Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS)

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4575-Formulario-Para-Peticion-De-Familiar-en-linea.html

USCIS Updates Fee Waiver Requirements

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, by removing the means-tested benefit criteria that was previously used as a factor in determining whether an applicant was exempt from paying for filing fees or biometric services. Individuals may still request a fee waiver if their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or they demonstrate financial hardship.

A means-tested benefit is a public benefit—offered by federal, state, or local agencies—for which eligibility and amount considerations are based on a person’s income and resources. USCIS formerly considered Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Supplemental Security Income during eligibility evaluations.

USCIS has determined that receiving a means-based benefit is not an appropriate criteria in reviewing fee-waiver requests because income levels used to decide local assistance eligibility vary greatly from state to state.

“USCIS relies on fees to cover the costs of adjudicating applications and petitions, implementing operational efforts, and ensuring the nation’s lawful immigration system is properly administered,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “USCIS waives hundreds of millions of dollars in fees annually. The revised fee waiver process will improve the integrity of the program and the quality and consistency of fee waiver approvals going forward. Providing clear direction to agency adjudicators for more uniform determinations will help us to uphold our mission of efficiently and fairly adjudicating immigration requests.”

USCIS has estimated that the annual dollar amount of fee waivers increased from around $344.3 million in fiscal year 2016 to $367.9 million in FY 2017. In FY 2018, the estimated annual dollar amount of fee waivers USCIS granted was $293.5 million. Fee revenues account for more than 95% of the USCIS budget.

Under the revised criteria, individuals may still request a fee waiver if:

• Their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; or
• They demonstrate financial hardship.

However, USCIS will require applicants to complete Form I-912 and submit supporting documentation, including federal income tax transcripts. USCIS will not accept a letter stating the applicant is unable to afford filing fees or biometric services without a completed Form I-912.

As of Dec. 2, those seeking a fee waiver must submit the 10/24/19 version of this form to request a waiver of a required fee for immigration benefits. After Dec. 2, USCIS will reject any Form I-912 with an edition date of 03/13/18 or earlier, a fee waiver request submitted with a letter, or documentation of receipt of means-tested benefit to show eligibility for a fee waiver. USCIS will adjudicate any fee waiver request postmarked before Dec. 2 under the previous policy, AFM 10.9, Waiver of Fees.

The new form does not change the applications and petitions that are eligible for a fee waiver. For the list of eligible applications and petitions, see the Form I-912 Instructions. In addition, USCIS has updated policy guidance (PDF, 281 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual to accompany this form revision. The updated policy guidance is effective on Dec. 2.

 

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4565-Updates-Fee-Waiver-Requirements.html

Immigrants Waiting For Their Immigration Records Can Now Challenge Agency Delay

By Emily Creighton www.immigrationimpact.com

A federal court in San Francisco certified two nationwide classes of immigrants and attorneys challenging extreme agency delays in producing immigration case files.

Plaintiffs allege that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have a system-wide practice of failing to provide access to immigration case records—called A-Files—within deadlines set by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Without these files, immigrants and their attorneys are at a severe disadvantage in moving forward with their cases.

The court’s decision on Tuesday allows the case to proceed on behalf of all noncitizens and attorneys with delayed FOIA requests, and not simply on behalf of the five individuals who filed the lawsuit.

At the end of Fiscal Year 2018, USCIS reported a backlog of 41,320 pending requests. This means that tens of thousands of individuals did not receive a determination on their A-File FOIA requests within the time period required by law. USCIS admitted that 98% of the FOIA requests that it receives—which would include all the cases in the backlog—are requests for A-Files.

The decision also is significant because this is the first time a court has certified a class in a lawsuit alleging a pattern and practice of violating FOIA.

The Court granted class certification because the problem is widespread. Individuals nationwide experience significant delays in obtaining their immigration records—delays that ultimately harm their cases. By granting class certification, the court could guarantee that all class members receive timely determinations on their FOIA requests.

The attorneys in the case often described the “legal limbo” their clients were forced into. While waiting for the A-Files, their clients could not move on with their immigration cases or, consequently, their lives.

As the Court noted, by summarizing the statements by impacted attorneys, delayed responses to FOIA requests result in, among other things:

“Risk of deportation,” “longer detention time,” “prolonged family separation for clients who have to wait longer for their naturalization cases to be approved in order to file ‘immediate relative’ visa petitions,” “the inability to travel to visit sick family because of risks associated with re-entry while cases are still pending,” and “loss of access to public assistance such as Social Security Income and housing without proof of immigration status.”

The Court focused on the inherent unfairness of a system where immigration agencies push for speedy resolution of immigration cases, but delay access to FOIA records so noncitizens are prevented from fully participating in their own cases:

“The irony should not be lost on anyone that the agencies that are delaying noncitizens’ right to timely obtain copies of their A-Files are the same agencies pushing to accelerate proceedings in immigration cases. Recent immigration policy changes now encourage immigration judges to limit continuances and mandate that asylum application must be resolved within 180 days, detained cases within 60 days, and non-detained cases within one year.”

Rejecting the government’s argument that all FOIA cases are different and so the harm to these individuals can’t be the same, the Court pointed to the delay itself as the injury shared by all members of the class. This delay in responding to the FOIA requests, the Court said, was the “glue” that holds the class together.

Additionally, the Court explained that the plaintiffs don’t have to show that an “egregious policy” exists; it is enough to demonstrate a policy and practice of failing to comply with FOIA.

Members of the certified classes are individuals who filed or will file an A-File FOIA request with USCIS that has been pending or will be pending for more than 30 business days without a determination, including requests that USCIS has sent or will send to ICE for additional review.

Though this case is far from over, this ruling allows class members a meaningful opportunity to challenge the unjust system currently in place. It also gives hope that the agencies will ultimately adhere to the timelines under FOIA established by Congress.

Source: www.immigrationimpact.com

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4556-Immigrants-Waiting-for-Their-Immigration-Records.html

Servicios De Naturalización Para Militares Se Prestaran En Cuatro Bases Militares

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que proporcionará servicios de naturalización para militares en cuatro bases militares ubicadas en el extranjero debido a un ajuste en su presencia internacional y el cierre de oficinas en el extranjero.

Los militares y familiares elegibles destacados en el extranjero completarán ahora su proceso de naturalización en uno de los cuatro “centros de operaciones” ubicados en:

• Camp Humphreys, en Corea del Sur;
• Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, en Japón;
• U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, en Alemania;
• Naval Support Activity Naples, en Italia.

Dichos centros fueron seleccionados a base de su proximidad a localidades de Oficinas Internacionales de USCIS donde históricamente se proveyeron la mayoría de los servicios de naturalización para militares en el extranjero.

“Asegurarnos de que los hombres y mujeres que dedican sus vidas a proteger a Estados Unidos puedan convertirse en ciudadanos estadounidenses mientras sirven en el extranjero es de importancia fundamental”, dijo el director en funciones de USCIS, Ken Cuccinelli. “Los militares y sus familiares sacrifican mucho para mantener la seguridad y libertad de nuestro país. Agradezco al Departamento de la Defensa su colaboración con USCIS para asegurarnos de que dichos servicios continúen disponibles durante el tiempo que estén destacados en el extranjero.”

Los oficiales de USCIS, en colaboración estrecha con el Departamento de la Defensa, viajarán cada trimestre durante una semana para proporcionar servicios de naturalización en estas localidades, y responder las preguntas de los solicitantes. Se requerirá cita previa a fin de que los oficiales de USCIS puedan tener la información necesaria acerca de los casos para poder completar su procesamiento. En el año fiscal (FY) 2018, USCIS recibió 347 solicitudes de naturalización de militares en el extranjero. Hasta este momento del FY 2019, la agencia ha recibido 520.

Las primeras visitas de oficiales de USCIS a estos centros de operaciones están programadas para finales de octubre y principios de noviembre a Camp Humphreys, en Corea del Sur, y Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, en Japón, respectivamente. La Oficina Local de USCIS en Seúl cerrará el 30 de septiembre, por lo que esta región será la primera en recibir servicios en estos centros de operaciones. Otras regiones extranjeras se incorporarán gradualmente a este enfoque de centros de operaciones durante los próximos nueve meses. Si un solicitante no puede viajar al centro designado durante el trimestre en que los oficiales de USCIS estén en el lugar, USCIS seguirá los procedimientos en vigor y coordinará con el solicitante de manera individual para determinar la mejor manera para manejar su caso.

USCIS llevará a cabo una teleconferencia el 9 de octubre para hablar de las ubicaciones actualizadas y también coordinará eventos de participación durante las visitas a los centros de operaciones para informar a los militares acerca de los procedimientos para la ciudadanía y la naturalización, así como proporcionar información general acerca de las peticiones y solicitudes de USCIS.

En agosto de 2019, en un esfuerzo por agilizar y hacer el proceso de inmigración más eficiente, USCIS anunció que cerraría gradualmente oficinas internacionales con la excepción de siete, antes de julio de 2020. Muchos servicios actualmente proporcionados en las oficinas internacionales serán proporcionados en Estados Unidos por oficiales destacados temporalmente a una Oficina Local de USCIS en el extranjero, o por el Departamento de Estado (DOS, por sus siglas en inglés).

USCIS tiene disponible una línea telefónica libre de costo para ayuda a militares, 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645, TTY 800-877-8339) y el correo electrónico militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov exclusivamente para militares y sus familiares, así como para veteranos. Representantes están disponibles para contestar preguntas de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. tiempo central, excluidos los días observados por el gobierno federal. Los miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas y sus familiares elegibles destacados en Estados Unidos o en el extranjero, también pueden acceder a la línea de ayuda mediante el número gratuito a través de la operadora de su base militar o del Sistema de Redes de Intercambio la Defensa (DSN, por sus siglas en inglés). Información adicional está disponible en la página web.

Fuente: El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4509-servicios-de-naturalizacion-para-militares.html

Plazo De Reinscripcion Para Personas Con TPS Bajo La Designación De Siria

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy que los beneficiarios actuales del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS, por sus siglas en inglés) bajo la designación de Siria que deseen mantener su estatus hasta el 31 de marzo de 2021, deben reinscribirse entre el 23 de septiembre de 2019 y 22 de noviembre de 2019.

Los procedimientos para la reinscripción, incluso como renovar el Documento de Autorización de Empleo (EAD, por sus siglas en inglés) han sido publicados en el Registro Federal y están disponibles en la página web de uscis.gov/es/TPS .

La decisión de extender el TPS para Siria se tomó después de una revisión de las condiciones en las que se basa la designación del país, ya que aún existen las condiciones legales que justifican la designación de Siria a TPS sobre las bases de un conflicto armado en curso y en condiciones extraordinarias y temporales. Tras un cuidadoso análisis de la información disponible, incluidas las recomendaciones recibidas como parte de un proceso de consulta interinstitucional, el Secretario interino determinó que las condiciones que respaldan la designación de Siria para TPS continúan existiendo. Por lo tanto, según el estatuto aplicable, la designación actual de TPS debe extenderse.

Hay aproximadamente 7,000 beneficiarios sirios de TPS. Esta extensión de 18 meses de la designación de Siria permite a los beneficiarios actuales de TPS sirios volver a registrarse para el TPS y permanecer en los Estados Unidos, con autorización de trabajo hasta el 31 de marzo de 2021. Para ser elegible para TPS bajo la designación actual de Siria, junto con cumplir con la otra elegibilidad requisitos, las personas deben haber residido continuamente en los Estados Unidos desde el 1 de agosto de 2016 y haber estado físicamente presente desde el 1 de octubre de 2016. Cualquier persona que haya estado aquí desde el momento de la designación anterior puede ser elegible para buscar el alivio migratorio.

Los beneficiarios actuales bajo la designación de TPS de Siria son elegibles para volver a registrarse para una extensión de su estado por 18 meses, hasta el 31 de marzo de 2021. La ley requiere que el Secretario revise periódicamente las condiciones en el estado extranjero para el cual está vigente una designación.

Durante los próximos 18 meses, el Secretario interino revisará las condiciones en Siria para determinar si su designación debe extenderse nuevamente o cancelarse. El Secretario tomará la próxima decisión de extender o terminar la designación para Siria el 30 de enero de 2021 o antes.

Todos los solicitantes deben presentar el Formulario I-821, Solicitud de Estatus de Protección Temporal . Los solicitantes pueden también solicitar un Documento de Autorización de Empleo por medio del Formulario I-765, Solicitud de Autorización de Empleo cuando presentan el Formulario I-821, o por separado en una fecha posterior.

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) emitirá los nuevos EAD con fecha de vencimiento del 31 de marzo de 2021 a beneficiarios elegibles bajo la designación a TPS de Siria que se reinscriban y soliciten un EAD a tiempo. Sin embargo, debido a los tiempos de procesamiento de las solicitudes de reinscripción a TPS, El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) reconoce que no todos los reinscritos recibirán un nuevo EAD antes de que expire su EAD actual, el 30 de septiembre de 2019. Por lo tanto, hemos extendido automáticamente la validez de dichos EAD por 180 días, hasta el 28 de marzo de 2020. Dicha extensión automática también incluye a personas que tienen un EAD con fecha de vigencia del 31 de marzo de 2018, y que solicitaron un nuevo EAD durante el último plazo de reinscripción, pero todavía no lo han recibido.

Fuente: Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos - El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS)

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4491-Reinscripcion-Para-Personas-Con-TPS-Bajo-La-De-Siria.html

USCIS Wants To Make It Harder For Asylum Seekers To Get Work Permits

By Emily Creighton www.immigrationimpact.com

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently proposed a rule that will further delay asylum seekers’ ability to receive work authorization.

Under current law, USCIS must grant or deny an initial asylum applicant’s employment authorization application within 30 days. Under the proposed rule, USCIS would have no time frame in which it must decide the initial application.

An asylum applicant already must wait at least six months before receiving employment authorization if their asylum application has not already been decided. The 30-day rule allows an asylum applicant to apply for work authorization at the 150-day mark and have a decision by day 180.

Even with the 30-day rule, USCIS historically took far longer than 30 days to decide applications for employment authorization until a class-action lawsuit challenged the agency’s failure to comply with the 30-day deadline. In 2018, the court ordered USCIS to follow the 30-day rule. The agency now would like to reverse these developments.

USCIS states that the rule change will help “ensure USCIS has sufficient time to receive, screen and process” applications for employment authorization, but the agency seems laser-focused on fraud, stating that it needs more time to “reduce opportunities for fraud and protect the security-related processes” as it decides applications.

The agency, however, provides no evidence of fraud or security-related concerns related to the employment authorization process. It only vaguely references additional vetting and background checks that may take longer than 30 days.

Instead of devoting resources to comply with the regulatory time frame, USCIS is relinquishing responsibility for helping asylum applicants become self-sufficient as quickly as possible.

The impact of the delay caused by eliminating the 30-day rule would be multi-fold.

According to USCIS, the lost compensation to asylum applicants could range from approximately $255 to $744.76 million annually. Annual employment tax losses to the government could range from $39.15 to $118.54 million.

If this proposed rule goes into effect, asylum seekers will have even less assurance that they will be able to support themselves or their family during what is often a long and difficult asylum application process.

USCIS is in fact working against the idea that asylum applicants—who often have limited community connections and few resources—should independently support themselves as quickly as possible. The agency invokes security and fraud concerns to distract from its failure to meet a basic bureaucratic mandate—to timely adjudicate applications for employment authorization.

 

Source: www.immigrationimpact.com 

https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a4480-USCIS-Harder-for-Asylum-Seekers-to-Get-Work-Permits.html