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In an effort to deter immigration fraud, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has revised the Employment Authorization Document or EAD. The new version incorporates a machine-readable zone on the back of the card.

USCIS began issuing the new cards on May 11, 2010. The machine-readable zone is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The service has also removed the two-dimensional bar code on the back of the card and moved the informational text beneath the magnetic strip. The revised card continues to retain its existing security features.

Click here to view the new cards.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will transition the intake function of several of its forms from the Service Centers to a Lockbox network. USCIS has decided to centralize its form and fee intake which it hopes will improve efficiency in the initial process.

The current forms scheduled for this transition include:
I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefit
I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
I-129F, Petition for Alien Relative Fiance
I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

The transition period started in the middle of last month with the Service Centers forwarding applications to the USCIS Dallas and Phoenix Lockbox for processing. Later on this month, USCIS will post the revised filing instructions, update the web page for each form, and announce the address change.

Please refer back to this site for the most updated information and resources related to U.S. immigration law.

It has been over a year since the Department of Homeland Security announced the creation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This system was designed for visitors who come into the United States from a Visa-Waiver qualifying countries. The system went active on August 1, 2008 but not many travelers are aware of it. The new policy requires foreign nationals from visa waiver countries to register with the system prior to their arrival in the United States. Once registered, the Department of Homeland Security will review the applications and approve them within 72 hours. Once approved, the authorization is good for a period of two years and allows for multiple entries. It is important to note that ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). An ESTA approval does not guarantee admissibility at the port of entry. All visitors from the visa waiver countries must register with the ESTA prior to boarding a carrier bound to the United States.