Individuals attending immigration interviews at local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district field offices are now required to submit to biographic verification of their identity. The USCIS began using a Customer Identity Verification (CIV) tool as of September 9, 2013. This is an anti-fraud...
It can be difficult to obtain advance parole (AP) on an emergency basis. For this reason, those eligible to apply for AP are reminded to do so far in advance of travel, whenever possible. However, for those who must apply for this immigration benefit on...
As was widely reported in the media, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) temporarily closed twenty-two embassies and consulates in early August 2013, due to al-Qaida related security concerns. Nineteen posts were closed through August 10, 2013. Subsequently, nearly all of the embassies and consulates...
On August 2, 2013, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a Travel Alert, warning U.S. citizens of "the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula." To that end,...
Immigration law is full of complex legal and procedural concerns. At times, however, simple matters and small details can create disruptions within the system. Such is the case with a recent problem, which has since been resolved, at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) National...
Time and time again, the transition to new systems and technologies brings with it new bumps in the road. Several Murthy Law Firm attorneys attended the 2013 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual conference in San Francisco, California, where there were reports of problems arising...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released information on the expansion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry Program (GEP). The GEP, which is one of the Trusted Traveler Programs administered by the CBP, allows low-risk individuals to obtain a...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is working to update and improve the operations of the National Customer Service Center (NCSC). More specifically, the USCIS is taking steps to expand and modernize the existing phone and online USCIS informational systems. Voice Prompts Simplified and Website...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is continuing efforts to improve the EB5 immigrant investor visa program, as evidenced by the release of a new policy memorandum that is intended to clarify gray areas in the law and eliminate some of problems historical for...
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated the roll out, on April 30, 2013, of a completely new system for documenting arrivals and departures at U.S. airports and seaports. The schedule for the transition to all U.S. airports and seaports allowed for a four-week...
