Immigration Blog Luba Smal Attorney at Law - Smal Immigration Law Office

U.S. Department of State Increases NIV Visa Fees on May 30 2023

4/5/2023

The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain nonimmigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over. These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023.

he fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185.

The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205.

The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315.

The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.

Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

Additional fee information can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.

С 30 мая 2023 повышаются госпошлины за многие не-иммиграционные визы.

Например, туристическая виза будет стоить 185 долларов. Некоторые рабочие визы будут стоить 205 долларов, неиммиграционные визы инвесторов 315 долларов.

Последний раз цены были повышены в 2014 году.

Please read more here.

Global Visa Appointment Wait Times

11/10/2022

The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate process for visa cases where the in-person interview requirement is waived. In general wait times for those cases are shorter, but they are not reflected in the table below. Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Here is the global visa wait times link.

На официальном вебсайте Госдеп США еженедельно публикует список сроков ожидания интервью на не-иммиграционные визы в посольствах и конслуьствах США по всему миру.

Этот список полезен для выбора посольства, куда лучше подать заявление на туристическую или студенческую визу, т.к. сроки ожиданяи интервью очень различаются по разным посольствам.

Информация обновляется каждую неделю:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/global-visa-wait-times.html

Legal Immigration Options for Ukrainians March 2022

3/8/2022

What are legal immigration options for Ukrainian citizens trying to find a safe heaven in the United States during the war with Russia?

Since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, there are a few available options. These options may not apply to everyone. They may change. During the last week, there were many changes with consular processing of visas for Ukrainians. Situation is still very fluid. Here is a list of some possible options which should not be construed as legal advice.

As of March 10th, the US didn't announce any new refugee program for Ukrainians yet.
На сегодняшний день США не объявило программу помощи беженцам из Украины (нет программы куда обратиться за статусом беженца если вы за пределами США и хотите приехать по статусу беженца в США).

The Biden administration previously said it would accept up to 125,000 refugees in the 2022 budget year. That annual cap had been cut to a record low 15,000 under President Donald Trump. In setting the annual target for refugees, the Biden administration set aside 10,000 refugee visas for people from Europe, but it could expand that number to take in more Ukrainians if needed. The White House has said it will work with the United Nations and European countries to determine whether people who have fled Europe will need permanent resettlement in the U.S. or elsewhere. The 125,000 does not include the 76,000 Afghans who came to the United States after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August.

(1) Если у вас есть действующая и неистекшая виза в США, вы можете приехать по этой визе. Затем уже находясь в США, если необходимо, вы можете подать на продление или смену статуса. В некоторых ситуациях вы можете подать на вид на жительство или на политическое убежище, если у вас есть лснования для этого (не у всех они есть). If you have a current valid and unexpired visa to the USA, you can use it to travel to USA, provided that the purpose of your trip meets the type of a visa. When in the USA, you can apply to extend or change status, adjust status to that of a permanent resident, or apply for political asylum, if you have legal basis for a particular application you are intending to submit The CDC and Department of State recently announced that the Covid-19 vaccination requirement was waived for Ukrainian nationals.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ukraine

(2) Если у вас нет визы в США, вы можете подать заявление на визу и попытаться ее получить в одном из американских посольств за пределами Украины (например, в Польше или Германии и в других). If you don’t have a visa to the U.S. you can apply for a visa at the US Consulate in the country outside of Ukraine. Проверьте информацию на момент подачи заявления на визу, т.к. изменения происходят почти каждый день. For example, in Warsaw, Poland, Krakow, Poland, Frankfurt, Germany, or other US embassies and consulates in other EU countries. You can submit a visa application online. Unfortunately, visa interviews are backlogged, and it might take a while to have one scheduled. Check the information current at the time you submit your visa application because information and advice changes almost daily.

(3) Вы можете попытаться въехать в США, пересекая границу с Мексикой или Канадой, попросив убежище и разрешение на въезд как пароль в США на границе в пропускном пункте. Это рисковано и обычно не рекомендуется. If you don’t have a valid visa to the U.S., but you can get into one of the neighboring countries and if have reasons to fear persecution in Ukraine (not merely escaping war), you can apply for asylum at a designated US Border Checkpoint and be paroled into the United States. It is a risky procedure and usually we don't recommend it. This option includes detention time at the border or in jail/detention center before being allowed to enter the U.S. It is advisable to consult an attorney who specializes in political asylum and this kind of cases in advance. It is important to show that you have family or friends or anyone in the United States willing to be your sponsor, and to have valid documentation of your identity, such as a passport and a birth certificate.

(4) Если вы находились на территории США 1 марта 2022, и у вас нет судимостей, вы cможете подать заявление на временный статус TPS и разрешение на работу, когда начнется период приема заявлений. Следите за носвостями или проконсультруйтесь у адвоката о ваших шансах и процедуре подачи заявления. If you are already in the USA, and have been physically in the U.S. on March 1, 2022, you will be able to apply for a TPS (temporary Protected Status) for 18 months and a work permit, which would allow you to get an SSN and a driver’s license, so you can live and work in the USA on a temporary basis. Follow the new and announcements at USCIS website to see when the application can be submitted and read the instructions or consult an attorney before applying.
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status

(5) Если вы находитесь за пределами США и у вас есть близкие родственники в США, вы можете подать заявление на гуманитарный пароль. If you are outside of the United States but have a close family in the U.S., you can apply for Humanitarian Parole. The application is filed in the U.S. with USCIS, form I-131 A relative must provide evidence of humanitarian reasons and financial support. It is not the fastest option and can take many months to be approved because it is currently backlogged since COVID-19 and Afghanistan crisis in summer of 2021. You can check the current processing times at USCIS website. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/humanitarian-parole

(6) Если ваши родные в США подали на вас петицию на воссоединение семьи, I-130, то в некоторых категориях можно попросить ускорение. If you already have a pending petition, you can ask USCIS to expedite it, if a US citizen or permanent resident is petitioning for their spouse, children, or parents.
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request
You can contact the USCIS at (800) 375-5283 and request to expedite your case. Please note that expediting a petition for any relatives other than immediate family members of US citizens or permanent residents is not going to help to get them to the USA fast. At this time, if you have a petition for your sibling or a child over 21, an expedite request is not going to help, because the process for those relatives is not delayed due to a backlog but due to a congressionally annual limitations on the number of immigrant visas available and them waiting for a visa number to become available in their visa category.

(7) Если ваше дело на грин карту по воссоединению семьи находится в Национальном Визовом Центре или уже было утверждено и вы ждете интервью в посольстве, попросите ускорения. Дело нужно будет перевести в другое посольство США. В настоящее время это Франкфурт в Германии для украинских граждан. If your case is pending at the NVC or at the US embassy, you can ask to expedite it. To expedite a case which is at the consulate, you need to send an email directly to the US consulate and provide the case number you received from NVC, and ask the consulate to schedule a visa interview. You may need to request a transfer of the case from Kyiv to Frankfurt, Germany, if a case wasn’t transferred yet. The same limitation for relatives who are not immediate relatives applies.

(8) Если вы уже находитесь в США, вы можете подать заявление на политическое убежище, если у вас есть для этого основания (опасения преследований на основании одного их защищенных групп, а не только из-за войны). If you are already in the United States, you can apply for asylum or for relief from deportation if you fear persecution in your home country under one of the protected groups or categories. All deportations of the Ukrainian citizens were halted recently. Asylum procedures allow individuals, who have reasonable fear from returning to their home countries, to apply for asylum in the United States. To qualify for asylum the applicant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable possibility of persecution based on one of enumerated protected grounds.

(9) Если вы уже в США в статусе иностранного студента из Украины, вы можете подать заявление на разрешение на работу в связи с особыми обстоятельствами и попросить его ускорить. If you are already in the United States as a foreign student from Ukraine on a valid F-1 visa, you can apply for emergency work permit by filing a form I-765 with the USCIS and asking for emergency work permits due to unexpected financial hardships they are experiencing due to the situation in Ukraine. You can ask to expedite your application. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations. https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

Каждая ситуация индивидуальна. Не все варианты подойдут каждому. Стоит посоветоваться с иммиграционным адвокатом перед тем как решать, что лучше сделать в вашей ситуации. Every situation is different. Not everything will fit you. It is advisable to consult an immigration attorney before deciding what is the best option for you.

Hope this information helps!

Eligibility for a Visa Interview Waiver Extended to 48 Months After Expiration

4/14/2021

Expansion of Interview Waiver Eligibility to 48 months after a previous visa expiration.

The U.S. Department of State has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification.
Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The Secretary has temporarily extended the period to 48 months. This policy is in effect until December 31, 2021. This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff. Travelers are encouraged to review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.

In Russian:

Получение неиммиграционных виз без интервью в консульстве США было временно до 31 декабря 2021 продлено до 48 месяцев после истечения срока действия предыдущей визы в той же категории.

More information is here.

Nonimmigrant visa interview wait times at the US embassies around the world

2/19/2021

Current wait times for nonimmigrant visas at the USA embassies around the world can be viewed here.

You can see here the most current information about B1/B2 visitor, F1 student and other non-immigrant visas.

Время ожидания интервью на визу США для резидентов. Визы туристические или гостевые, студенческие и другие неиммиграционные визы.

Nonimmigrant visa fee to USA for citizens of Russia

3/1/2019

C 4 марта 2019 сбор за визу в США для россиян будет 160 долл. США за все виды виз, выдаваемых в соответствии с двусторонним Соглашением 2011 года об упрощении визовых формальностей.

Недавно сбор за визы был увеличен. Но теперь с 4 марта сбор возвращается к старой сумме 160 долларов США.

As was announced on March 1, 2019, starting on March 4, 2019, a visa fee for most nonimmigrant visas issued at the US Consulates in Russia will be reduced to US$160 (the fee was recently changed, but will be back to $160 effective 3/4/19).

Сообщение МИД России тут.

Revised USCIS Form I-539 Effective Date: March 11, 2019

2/11/2019

USCIS revised Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and will publish the revised form on March 11, 2019.

This application is used by foreign nationals already in the USA, who apply to either extend or change their status in USA (visitors, tourists, students, etc).

Starting on March 11, 2019, USCIS will only accept the new revised Form I-539 with an edition date of 02/04/19. USCIS will also publish a new Form I-539A, Supplement to Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Form I-539A replaces the Supplement A provided in previous versions of Form I-539.

The revised Form I-539 includes the following changes:
--> Every co-applicant included on the primary applicant’s Form I-539 must submit and sign a separate Form I-539A, which will be available on the Form I-539 webpage on March 11, 2019.
--> Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14 or any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.
--> Every applicant and co-applicant will have to pay an $85 biometric services fee.
--> Every applicant and co-applicant will receive a biometrics appointment notice, regardless of age, containing their individual receipt number.
--> USCIS will reject any Form I-539 that is missing any of the required signatures or biometrics fees, including those required for Form I-539A.

How to Check a Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Times at U.S. Embassies and Consulates?

1/10/2019

How to Check a Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Times at Different U.S. Embassies and Consulates Around the World?

If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool at the link below. Examples of nonimmigrant visas: student F-1, visitor B-1/B-2, exchange visitor J-1, H-1B, L visa, etc.

Please note that K-1 fiancee visa is a nonimmigrant visa which has its own scheduling system because it is processed at the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Click here for visa appointment times.

To schedule a consultation with an attorney, please email.

List of Countries Subject to Travel Ban Was Updated: Chad Removed

4/14/2018

Effective April 13, 2018, the list of countries subject to travel ban has been updated. Follow the link to see updated table of countries whose nationals are currently ineligible for various kinds of visas under presidential proclamation Visitors visas and Immigrants Visas, including DV Lottery visas).

On April 10, a new Presidential Proclamation was issued which amended P.P. 9645 of September 24, 2017.
The new P.P. removed the visa restrictions imposed on nationals of Chad by the previous September 2017 proclamation. This change is effective at 12:01 a.m. EST on April 13, 2018.

All other visa restrictions outlined in P.P. 9645 remain in effect. (On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s motions for emergency stays of preliminary injunctions issued by U.S. District Courts in the Districts of Hawaii and Maryland. The preliminary injunctions had prohibited the government from fully enforcing or implementing the entry restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 9645 (P.P.) to nationals of six countries: Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.

Per the Supreme Court’s orders, those restrictions will be implemented fully, in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation, around the world, beginning December 8 2018.

The District Court injunctions did not affect implementation of entry restrictions against nationals from North Korea and Venezuela. Those individuals remain subject to the restrictions and limitations listed in the Presidential Proclamation, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, with respect to nationals of those countries.

See more here.

Travel Ban or Muslim Ban 3 Goes Into Effect While Appeals Are Pending

12/5/2017

On Monday, December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two orders staying lower courts’ (Maryland & Hawaii) preliminary injunctions of President's September 24, 2017 presidential proclamation or 3rd travel ban.

Accordingly, President's most recent travel ban, so-called Muslim Ban 3, will go into effect while the appeals are pending. The U.S. Supreme Court encouraged the appeals courts to quickly decide whether the most recent travel ban was lawful.

The September 24, 2017, Presidential Proclamation on Enhancing Vetting Capabilities & Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats indefinitely blocks the entry for certain individuals from eight countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Chad, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Venezuela and Yemen.

Travel Restriction for Nationals of Eight Countries – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, and Yemen

General Rules:

Only applies to individuals who are (i) outside of the U.S. on the day the travel ban goes into effect, and (ii) who do not have a valid visa on the day travel ban goes into effect, and (iii) who have not obtained a waiver under Section 3(c) of the Proclamation
Does not apply to:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
- Individuals admitted or paroled into the U.S. on or after the effective date;
- Those with a document other than a visa that allows them to travel to the U.S., if the document is dated on or after the effective date;
- Dual-nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country;
- Individuals granted asylum;
- Refugees already admitted to the U.S.; or
- Individuals granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention against Torture

Previously-Impacted Countries – Restrictions Effective Immediately:

Iran
- Effective immediately, immigrant and nonimmigrant entry are suspended for Iranian nationals except for those with F, J, or M visas.
- Those with F, J, or M visas will most likely be subject to “enhanced screening and vetting requirements.”
Libya
- Effective immediately, immigrants and nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended except those with a bona fide relationship to the U.S.
Somalia
- Effective immediately, immigrant visas are suspended for Somali nationals
- Non-immigrant visas are permitted, subjected to heightened screening.
- The bona fide relationship exemption ends October 18, 2017.
Syria
- Effective immediately, immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended for Syrian nationals
Sudan
- Sudan was removed from the list of restricted countries in MB-4.
- Sudanese visa holders who were impacted by earlier Muslim Bans should now be able to reapply for visa.
Yemen
- Effective immediately, all immigrant visas and nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended,

Newly Impacted Countries (Added):

Chad
- All immigrant visas and with nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended from entering the U.S.
North Korea
- All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders are suspended from entering the U.S.
Venezuela
- The entry of officials of government agencies of Venezuela involved in screening and vetting procedures and their immediate family members, as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, is suspended. Additionally, nationals of Venezuela who are visa holders are subject to additional measures.
- Per Section 3(b)(v) of MB-4, certain Venezuelans traveling on diplomatic visas are not affected by this order.

Waivers:

If you are from one of the countries covered by the travel ban and do not yet have a valid U.S. visa, you cannot obtain a visa at this time unless you qualify for a waiver. Consular officers may, on a case-by-case and discretionary basis, grant a waiver to affected individuals for certain reasons. To obtain a waiver and a visa, the person seeking admission must prove:

denying entry to the U.S. would cause the foreign national undue hardship;
admission would not pose a threat to the national security or public safety of the United States;
entry would be in the U.S. national interest.

Travel Risks for People from Affected Countries with Valid Visas:

If you are from one of the impacted countries and hold a valid visa, you may be able to apply for admission to the United States. The newest travel ban states that no visas will be automatically revoked and that those with a valid visa are not covered by the travel ban. However, travel outside the United States at this time carries risk.

US Embassy in Russia Suspended Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visitor Visas

8/21/2017

Effective August 23, 2017, the U.S. Embassy suspended issuing nonimmigrant visas for eight days until September 1, 2017 in response to the Russian decision to cut embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755, or by two-thirds.

The embassy would resume issuing visas in Moscow consulate only on September 1 2017, but will no longer issue any visas at the U.S. consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok indefinitely.

It's expected that visitor visa appointment wait time could be as long as six months!

Nearly a quarter of a million Russian tourists visited the U.S. last year, according to Russian tourism officials.

In August 2017, Russia ordered the U.S. to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755. Congress approved sanctions against Russia for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and for its aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

Read more here.

Briefly in Russian:

С 23 августа по 1 сенбября 2017 США временно приостановили выдачу гостевых и других неиммиграционных виз в России.

После 1 сентября 2017 только консульство США в Москве будет выдавать визы. Три оставшиеся консульства прекратят выдачу виз на неопределенное время.

Ожидается, что сроки выдачи виз затянулся до 6 месяцев. Эта мера - последствие августовских санкций и выдворения 755 сотрудников американского посольства из России.

Extreme Vetting: Dept of State May Ask 65,000 Foreigners with Threat Profiles for Extra Information

5/5/2017

On May 4, 2017, the U.S. Department of State published in the Federal Register the following public notice: Public Notice: 9984, Notice of Information Collection Under OMB Emergency Review: Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants.

"The Department proposes requesting the following information, if not already included in an application, from a subset of visa applicants worldwide, in order to more rigorously evaluate applicants for terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities:

• Travel history during the last fifteen years, including source of funding for travel;
• Address history during the last fifteen years;
• Employment history during the last fifteen years;
• All passport numbers and country of issuance held by the applicant;
• Names and dates of birth for all siblings;
• Name and dates of birth for all children;
• Names and dates of birth for all current and former spouses, or civil or domestic partners;
• Social media platforms and identifiers, also known as handles, used during the last five years; and
• Phone numbers and email addresses used during the last five years.

Most of this information is already collected on visa applications but for a shorter time period, e.g. five years rather than fifteen years.

Requests for names and dates of birth of siblings and, for some applicants, children are new. The request for social media identifiers and associated platforms is new for the Department of State, although it is already collected on a voluntary basis by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for certain individuals.

The estimated number of respondents represents the estimate of relevant State Department officials that 0.5% of U.S. visa applicants worldwide, or in the range of 65,000 individuals per year, will present a "threat profile", based on individual circumstances and information they provide, that will lead U.S. consular officers at posts around the world to conclude the applicant warrants enhanced screening that takes into account the information that is proposed to be collected."

"Regarding travel history, applicants may be requested to provide details of their international or domestic (within their country of nationality) travel, if it appears to the consular officer that the applicant has been in an area while the area was under the operational control of a terrorist organization as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi). Applicants may be asked to recount or explain the details of their travel, and when possible, provide supporting documentation."

"This information collection implements the directive of the President, in the Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security of March 6, 2017, to implement additional protocols and procedures focused on ‘‘ensur[ing] the proper collection of all information necessary to rigorously evaluate all grounds of inadmissibility or deportability, or grounds for the denial of other immigration benefits.’’

Extreme vetting or enhanced screening protocols will not apply to all visa applicants, but to select ones, who present potentially a "threat profile".

In Russian:

В исполнение указа президента США от 6 марта 2017, Госдеп США опубликовал план новой программы усиленной проверки подозрительных заявителей на визу, так называемых "threat profiles".

Усиленной проверке будут подвергаться не все заявители на визу, а выборочная группа лиц. Например, лица, которые подозреваются в связи с террористическими организациями, которые путешествовали в старын или регионы, где такие группы существуют.

По расчетам Госдепа США, такх лиц наберется около 65 000 в год, то есть пока они не собираются применять эти меры ко всем заявителем на визу.

4 мая 2017 Госдеп опубликовал новый список мер:

Требование предоставить историю поездок за границу за последние 15 лет.
Возможны детальные расспросы о поездках на интервью на визу, и затребование документов.
Все адреса проживания за последние 15 лет.
Трудовая история за последние 15 лет.
Все номера паспортов и страны выдавшие паспорта
Имена и даты рождения всех братьев и сестер.
Имена и даты рождения всех детей, вне зависимости от возраста, проживания
Имена и даты рождения всех бывших мужей и жен. А также всех гражданских жен и мужей (это совершенно новое требование, которое может быть истолковано очень широко)
Все ваши аккаунты на социальных платформах social media accounts, которыми вы пользовались в последние 5 лет. (Они пока не указывают, что будут тредовать пароль или доступ, а только указать имя на аккаунте)
Все номера телефонов и email addresses, которыми вы пользовались в течение последних 5 лет.

Unknown artist "Battle of Yuri Gagarin and Darth Vader"

Know Your Rights: Border Searches of US citizens and Noncitizens by CBP

2/20/2017

When a person is arriving at the U.S. border and applying for admission to the United States, the CBP officers are required to determine the nationality or citizenship of each applicant for admission (including U.S. citizens).

When a a non-U.S. citizen applies for admission to USA, a decision is made by the CBP officer as to whether the applicant is admissible to the U.S.A. or inadmissible and should be removed or not allowed to enter the U.S.

Even a lawful permanent resident returning to the U.S. after an extended stay abroad, in certain situations can be questioned as a person applying for admission.

All travelers to the U.S.A. should know the following:

Border Search Authority. Federal regulations are clear regarding CBP’s authority to conduct a search: “All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in the Customs territory of the United States from places outside thereof are liable for inspection and search by a Customs officer.” For those traveling to the U.S. in a vehicle, a CPB officer may stop, search, and examine any vehicle or search any trunk wherever found. However, CBP cannot conduct intrusive searches (such as strip searches) or repeated detentions unless there is a “reasonable suspicion” of an immigration violation or crime. Additionally, CBP’s policy requires that all searches be “conducted in a manner that is safe, secure, humane, dignified, and professional.”
Electronic Devices Search (smartphones, laptops, tablets). CBP’s border search authority also includes the right to examine electronic devices, such as computers, disks, hard drives, cell phones, and other electronic or digital storage devices, without “reasonable suspicion”. CBP officers conduct border searches of electronic devices to determine whether a violation of U.S. law has occurred. While the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a warrantless search and seizure of digital contents of a cell phone during an arrest is unconstitutional in violation of the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, there appears to be an exception for individuals desiring to enter the U.S. If your electronic device is seized for further examination, which may include copying of data, you will receive a written receipt (Form 6051-D) that details what item(s) are being detained, who at CBP will be your point of contact, and the contact information (including telephone number) you provide to facilitate the return of your property upon completion of the examination. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, the detention of devices should not exceed 5 days.
Discrimination and Coercion. An individual may not be searched on any discriminatory basis (e.g. race, gender, religion, ethnic background). Nevertheless, a search based on consideration of citizenship or travel itinerary that includes a narcotics source or transit country is not deemed unlawful. Additionally, CBP cannot threaten a person being questioned; if there is coercion, any statements obtained may be excluded in a subsequent removal proceeding under the Due Process Clause. You can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if you believe there has been improper discrimination, inappropriate questioning, or other civil rights and civil liberties violations.
Right to Attorney. Any applicant for admission (including U.S. citizens) is not entitled to representation in primary or secondary inspections, unless he or she has become the focus of a criminal investigation and has been taken into custody. Foreign nationals attempting to come to the United States, either temporarily or permanently, have very few rights during the application and screening process.
Right to Remain Silent, But Be Prepared to Answer Questions. Even though you have the right to remain silent, if you don’t answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may deny entry to the U.S. or detain you for a search and/or questioning. CBP officers can ask people applying for admission to the U.S. almost any question. If you choose not to answer all or some of the questions, you can be denied admission to the U.S. or delayed by the CBP officer if selected for secondary inspection, search of your electronic devices. Make sure you can answer the following questions:

What is the purpose of your visit? (what do you plan to do in USA)
Where will you be staying? (address)
Who will you be visiting? (name, address, contact phone number)
How often do you travel to the U.S.? (for example, how many times a year; every 3 months)

When a non-US citizen applies for admission to the U.S., it’s important to be clear that your purpose for the visit to U.S.A. must be consistent with the visa category held. For example, if you are arriving on a tourist or visitor's visa, the purpose of the visit is to engage in tourist activities or visit family or friends, or if you a student, it’s to study, if you are a temporary worker it’s to work, and if you are returning as a permanent resident, the purpose must be to return to the U.S. as a place of your permanent residence.

Please read our guidance for lawful permanent residents returning to the USA who are facing request from the CBP to sign the form I-407 and to abandon permanent residency (aka green card).

#knowyourrights #CBP #DHS #USCIS #GreenCard #admissiontoUSA #I407 #search #seizure #bordersearch #electronicdevicesearch #righttoattorney #detention

DHS and the IRS are investigating Chinese "birth tourism" and agencies bringing Chinese mothers to the USA.

5/14/2015

As reported by Bloomberg Business News, birth tourism from China to the US is booming. Although it’s not illegal to travel to the U.S. to give birth, it’s illegal to lie about the purpose of a visit when interviewed by American Consul or by immigration or customs officers at the US airport—or coach someone to do so.

If a woman says she’s traveling to the U.S. to give birth, the consular and customs officers may request proof that she can pay for her hospital stay. (The same would be asked of anybody seeking medical treatment in the U.S.)

Department of Homeland Security and the IRS have been investigating the growing business of “birth tourism,” which operates in a legal gray area, since last June. The industry is totally unregulated and mostly hidden.

No one knows the exact number of Chinese birth tourists or services catering to them. Online ads and accounts in the Chinese-language press suggest there could be hundreds, maybe thousands, of operators. A California association of these services called All American Mother Service Management Center claims 20,000 women from China gave birth in the U.S. in 2012 and about the same number in 2013. These figures are often cited by Chinese state media, but the center didn’t reply to a request for comment. The Center for Immigration Studies, an American organization that advocates limiting the scope of the 14th Amendment, estimates there could have been as many as 36,000 birth tourists from around the world in 2012. Estimated fees paid by Chinese birth tourists to the agencies catering to them are around USD30,000 to USD60,000.

Department of Homeland Security declined to discuss the investigation because it is ongoing, but the agent in charge said: “Visa fraud is a huge vulnerability for the country. These women allegedly lied to come have a baby. Other people could come to do something bad. We have to maintain the integrity of the system.”

Read the story here.

NIV waiver: a visa must be issued within 90 days after a waiver was approved. INA 212(d)(3)(A) waiver.

1/23/2015

A few changes to DOS / US Department of State NIV 212(d)(3)(A) waiver procedure:

Beginning March 16, 2015, a visa must be issued within 90 days of receipt of an approved 212(d)(3)(A) waiver. INA 212(d)(3)(A) waivers are valid for the duration indicated by the ARO officer in the ARIS response. The waiver validity starts on the visa issuance date.(Source 9 FAM 40.301 N8)

See more at DOS website: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87150.pdf