Immigration News Update September 1 - 16

USCIS Seminar On Combating Scams: USCIS invites you to take part in a national stakeholder engagement on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at 1 p.m. (Eastern) to discuss recent immigration scams and learn how USCIS is partnering with agencies to combat this trend through the unauthorized practice of immigration law initiative.

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas will open the session and be joined by agency leaders, as well as officials from the FTC and the Department of Justice, who will speak about our partnership to combat UPIL through public education, capacity building, and enforcement. In addition partners will provide information on how to identify and report common scams.

For registration and more details, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4ae23a432e301410

USCIS Extends I-693 Medical Form Validity: This policy memorandum (PM) temporarily extends the validity of civil surgeon endorsements on Form I-693 for adjustment of status and temporary residence applicants till May 31, 2014. This PM updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by revising Chapter 40.1(c), (AFM Update AD13-13). The guidance contained in this PM is controlling and supersedes any prior guidance on the subject

Full Details: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2013/September/I-693%20Extension%20PM%20REVISION%20(Effective%209-4-13).pdf

USCIS Exhausted 10,000 U Visa Cap For FY 2013: USCIS has approved the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U non immigrant status (U visas) for fiscal year 2013. This marks the fourth straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U visas in 2008.
Each year, 10,000 U visas are available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U-visa petition requires certification of assistance from law enforcement.

Full Details: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=080b167b1a3f0410VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

USCIS Implements Customer Identity Verification at Field Offices: Beginning September 9, 2013, USCIS will employ a new verification tool called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its domestic field offices. Customers will now submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit.

CIV will enhance the integrity of the immigration system and combat identity fraud by allowing USCIS to biometrically verify a customer¿s identity. Having resolved a technical issue that delayed our original launch, the tool will now be phased in between September 9 and October 21, 2013 to customers attending an interview or being issued evidence of an immigration benefit.

Full Details: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4a4b167b1a3f0410VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

E-Verify Seminars: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Verification/E-Verify/E-Verify_Native_Documents/E-Verify%20Webinar%20Flyer.pdf

NVC/Consular Processing: Starting September 1, 2013, all immigrant visa applicants will apply online using Form DS-260 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration). Applicants will also choose their agent online using Form DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent). Applicants will access both forms on the web at ceac.state.gov.

These forms replace the paper DS-230 and DS-3032. NVC may instruct some applicants who previously submitted Form DS-230 to submit Form DS-260. Only Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants will continue to use paper forms.

If you have questions or feedback about Forms DS-260 and DS-261, contact the NVC at nvcinquiry@state.gov or 603-334-0700.

Link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/news/news_4413.html