USCIS announces that H-1B Work Visas are gone for the fiscal year!

The USCIS has announced that ALL H-1B work visas for professionals have been used for fiscal year 2012, which began on October 1, 2011 and runs until September 31, 2012. H-1B applications received by the USCIS after November 22, 2011 will likely be rejected and returned.

Some applications received on November 22, may also be returned, if the USCIS later determines that the limit was reached. The USCIS will begin accepting H-1B Work Visa applications again on April 1, 2012 for the next fiscal year which begins on October 1, 2012.

Mercedes-Benz executive arrested due to Alabama's new immigration laws

A high-level German executive of Mercedes-Benz is now free, after being arrested for not having a driver's license in his possession, as required under Alabama's new law targeting illegal immigrants.

With the company's first U.S. assembly plant located near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the German Mercedes-Benz executive was visiting the U.S. plant on company business when he was stopped by police because his rental car was missing a tag.

Under Alabama's immigration law, police are required to check citizenship status during traffic stops and take anyone who doesn't have proper identification to a magistrate. Prior to the new law, a person without a license in their possession wouldn't be arrested, but simply received a ticket and a court summons. This situation merely highlights the absurdity of these kinds of laws which unjustly target foreign born nationals. It was not that long ago in history when the Nazis required all individuals to carry "papers." If these types of immigration laws are allowed to continue to be enforced, America is not far from becoming a "police state."

IMMIGRATION Q&A

Question: I received my conditional green card last week through my marriage to my U.S. citizen wife. I have three adult children who are ages 23, 26 and 29. My two sons are single and my daughter is married. My question is whether I need to wait until my green card is permanent before I can sponsor my kids or can I apply now? Also, how long does it take for them to immigrate?

Answer: Immigration regulations allow U.S. residents (green card holders) to sponsor spouses, minor children (under age 21) and single adult children (and their minor children). There is no requirement that U.S. residency status be permanent before applying. However, if U.S. residency status is not later made permanent, any pending applications for qualifying family members will be cancelled. Therefore, you can apply for your two single sons now. The current line in that immigration category is eight to nine years. However, if one or both of your sons marries before you become a U.S. Citizen, the I-130 petition will be cancelled. Once you become a U.S. citizen¸ you can sponsor your married daughter and her family. The current line in that immigration category is 10-11 years. Since you are married to a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to apply for early naturalization in two years and nine months from the date you first obtained your U.S. residency, as long as you remain married and living together as a couple. The current dates for the December 2011 Visa Bulletin for all family categories is below:

FAMILY CATEGORIES FOR ALL COUNTRIES (**Except China, Mexico & Philippines)

Category/Family Relationship                                 Immigrant Visa Available For I-130             Approx Wait Time

1st   Single, Adult Children of U.S. Citizens                                 9-01-04                                                7-8 years

(and their minor children under 21)

2A  Spouses & Minor Children of U.S. Residents                         3-22-09                                               2-3 years

2B  Single, Adult Children of U.S. Residents                                8-15-03                                                8-9 years

(and their minor children under 21)

3rd  Married, Adult Children of U.S. Citizens                               10-08-01                                              10-11 years

(their Spouses & minor children under 21)

4th     Siblings of U.S. Citizens                                                       7-15-00                                                11-12 years

(their Spouses & minor children under 21)

You can learn more about Family Immigration by visiting our website at: www.Immigratetoday.com and by scrolling down and clicking on the link to Family Immigration link.