Recent News Items

New consular fees went into effect yesterday. The fees were increased in an effort to cover operational expenses for 301 overseas posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide consular services. Under the new fee schedule, passport and other Consular fees are as follows:

NEW CONSULAR FEES EFFECTIVE JULY 13, 2010

Non-Immigrant Visa Fees
Nonimmigrant Visa Application - $140.00
1. H,L,O,P,Q and R Categories - $150.00
2. E Visas - $390.00
3. K Visa - $350.00
4. BCC Adult - $140.00
Immigrant Visa Fees
IV Application Processing Fee
1. Family-based immigrant visa - $330.00
2. Employment-based immigrant visa - $720.00
3. Other immigrant visas - $305.00
IV Security Surcharge - $74.00
Diversity Visa Lottery Surcharge - $440.00
Domestic Review of Affidavit of Support - $88.00
Determining Returning Resident Status - $380.00
Passport Fees
Passport Book – adult : $135.00
Passport Book – minor : $105.00
Passport Book Renewal – adult : $110.00
Additional Passport Visa Pages : $82.00
Passport Card – adult : $55.00
Passport Card – child : $40.00
Consular Report of Birth Abroad : $100.00
Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship: $450.00
File Search and Verification of U.S. Citizenship : $150.00

Please bear in mind that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has also submitted a proposal to increase application and petition fees. Therefore, it is very important to contact an immigration attorney regarding any applications or petitions filed and pending.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service plans on closing a $200 million dollar deficit by raising the filing fees for various immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications by an average of 10%. The only application that will not have its fees increased in the Naturalization application which is already at $675.00. Department of Homeland Security is considering increasing the applications fees for green cards from $930.00 to $985.00. The fees for a family based visa petition (I-130) will rise from $355.00 to $420.00. USCIS is considering adding new fees to the already fee heavy immigration process for immigrant investors, civil surgeons and to consular processing. Some visa petitioners will see relief in the form of reduction in fees for fiancé visa petition from $455.00 to $340.00. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency responsible for visa processing, is required to be self-sufficient and thus relies on application fees for 90% of its budget. USCIS urges the public to weigh in on the proposal at http://www.regulations.gov. The comment period runs Friday through July 26.

At the Visa Lawyer Group, our attorneys always remain current on developing stories and their impact on immigration laws. We are an immigration law firm that provides legal assistance to clients around the world. Our immigration lawyers can be contacted to work on a variety of immigration related issues. For more information please schedule a free consultation, email us at info@visalawyergroup.com or call us at (845) 353-3500.

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.

For decades, the word “green card” as it relates to the document that serves as proof of an alien’s eligibility to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis has been a misnomer. In actuality, the “green card” is anything but green. As of this month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has redesigned the original “green card”. The new green card will actually be green. In fact, the redesigned card has been outfitted with a new holographic design. The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in the government’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. The enhanced features will better serve law enforcement, employers, and immigrants, all of whom look to the Green Card as definitive proof of authorization to live and work in the United States. Beginning May 11, 2010, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format. Recipients of the redesigned card will include those newly approved for lawful permanent residency, as well as those who have sought a renewal or replacement card.

To view a sample image of the front of the new card, click here: http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/59421

To view a sample image of the back of the new card, click here: http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/59423

Last month, the State of Arizona passed the strictest anti-immigrant bill into law. This law makes physical presence in Arizona without the proper papers a criminal offense. There are a lot of things wrong with this piece of legislation but there is one thing Arizona did right. This law has brought immigration to forefront of every discussion. Immigration reform has always been a contentious political issue and therefore every politician has played hot potato with it. Neither side has ever come to the table and discussed the issues fairly and with a goal of reform in mind. This exercise in pushing the constitutional boundaries of State governance has lit the proverbial fire under everyone involved. Young people, elderly, small companies, actors, musicians and even sports personalities have all expressed their opinions on this issue. The American Immigration Lawyers Association has canceled a conference in Arizona that was to be held in late July. The oldest black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, has also moved its conference from Arizona to Las Vegas. The State of Arizona is the black sheep of the family and everyone is trying to teach it a lesson. Unfortunately, not much has been heard from the Capitol. Republicans and Democrats have fired out their opinions on the law but there has yet been a constructive movement towards an amicable solution.

To read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/sports/baseball/04rhoden.html