Notable changes in US immigration in 2011
The year 2011 has been one of many ups and downs for the US immigration. There were many
notable changes that were brought about during the year 2011 and many were hot topics for
debates all over the world. USCIS is the prime authority that caters to the immigration needs of
the people. It has also witnessed remarkable changes over the past year in the way of new policy
changes and increased facilities for applicants.
New US immigration acts/laws and policies
Help Haiti Act of 2010
This was successfully implemented in the beginning of the year 2011 by the USCIS to help the
nationals who were affected by the natural disaster. As per the newly enacted law, USCIS was
conferred with the authority to grant the status of permanent residence to certain categories of
orphaned children who were paroled into the US.
Protection for Victims of Human trafficking
This allowed non-immigrant visa holders, who became victims of human trafficking, in the
category of A-3 and G-5 visas to retain their status and work legally in the US. This was really
helpful as the battered victims could continue to work even as their cases against their employers
were still pending.
Some other changes are
Termination of granting parole to Lautenberg category members who are denied refugee
status in Moscow.
Introduction of a secure, customer friendly online- account system by the DHS to
encourage customers to submit benefit requests (that were filed with the USCIS)
electronically and to simplify the process of applying for US immigration benefits.
Implemented out a rule for transitional workers in the Commonwealth of Northern
Mariana Islands ( CNMI) – employers in the CNMI can thereby hire non-immigrants
who are otherwise not eligible to be employed
Changes in US immigration Forms
Single card for both employment and travel authorization – Form I-485
Certain category of applicants who are filing in to adjust status or become permanent residents
will be issued with a single card that will resemble an EAD but have an additional text – ‘serves
as I-512 Advance Parole’
Centralized filing of Form I-130
From August, all the applicants who are submitting this form were requested to do so only at the
USCIS lockbox facility at Chicago. This was brought about to increase the efficiency of the
filing process and flexibility of the USCIS to manage its workload.
Other changes were
Improved processing of us citizenship forms - filing to be done at secure lockbox
facilities instead of local offices. A transition period was allowed for the convenience of
the applicants which ended on Dec 2, 2011.
Processing of citizenship application, N-400 (naturalization form) of certain SSI
recipients was prioritized
Changed the filing locations for I-130 to either Chicago or phoenix Lockbox facility.
Final rule that is aimed at improving the integrity of the employment eligibility
verification form – Form I-9 process.
Extensions of existing privileges
Reminder to the Japan nationals affected by the tsunami to avail the US immigration
benefits
Reminder for applicants who are seeking funding under the Citizenship and Integration
Grants Program of the deadline ( April 1)
Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, Sudan nationals, Hondurans and
Nicaraguans.
Deferred Departure for the Liberians
Apart from the above mentioned, yet other changes in the US immigration system was the
addition of certain countries to the eligible list for H-2A and H-2B programs, reaching the H-1B
cap for 2011 and closing of its Vietnam office. Hope the ensuing year i.e the year 2012 is
favorable for the US immigration and the people.