Global Entry became a permanent program on February 6, 2012. Global Entry is a voluntary initiative of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allowing expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Its goal is to streamline the arrivals and admission process at airports for trusted travelers through biometric identification. more »

On January 17, 2012, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued information on obtaining a Drivers Licence or Social Security Number in the US: “Timing is Everything: Getting Your Driver’s License or Social Security Number.” more »

DHS announced on January 6, 2012, that they will issue new regulations for processing of unlawful presence waivers of the 3 and 10 year bar to re-entry for certain immediate relatives of US citizens who wish to file immigrant visa applications (green card applications) abroad. more »

Effective immediately (November 14, 2011), the Department of State (DOS) has temporarily halted student visa issuance (F visas, M visas and J visas) at all US Embassies and Consulates around the world. DOS has recently identified difficulties with its Consolidated Consular Database (CCD) communicating with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). DOS discovered this issue November 14, 2011. more »

On August 17, 2011, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum regarding B-2 Visa Status changes and extensions for cohabitating partners, including same-sex partners and same-sex spouses, and other nonimmigrant household members. more »

DHS outlined various policy, operational, and outreach efforts to promote start-ups on August 2, 2011. With these, DHS aims to fuel the US economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent who otherwise can create US jobs, form start-up companies in the United States, and/or invest capital in areas of high unemployment. more »

On May 13, 2011, USCIS launched I-9 Central, a new online resource center dedicated to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov, Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free website provides one-click access to various resources, tips and guidance on the completion of Form I-9 and on the Form I-9 process. more »

On April 28, 2011, DHS announced removal of several countries from the Special Registration procedures under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, known as NSEERS.  more »

USCIS has proposed a new H-1B visa registration system for cap-subject H-1B visa petitions. The H-1B registration system will require H-1B employers to file a registration for each H-1B visa petition with USCIS. Only registered employers may file H-1B petitions. Employers may only file for  registered H-1B Visa Beneficiaries. USCIS will set aside a 2 week H-1B registration period in March of each fiscal year. They will provide public notice of that H-1B visa registration period well in advance. more »

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a self-checking version of their E-Verify Employment Verification System tool. DHS created the E-Verify Self Check (Department of Homeland Security/United States Citizenship and Immigration Services—SORN DHS/USCIS—013 E-Verify Self Check System of Records) to assist US individuals in verifying their own legal US work authorization. more »