2003

USCIS Offers On-Line Credit Card Payment Options and Adds Processing Date Information to Case Status System (12/2/2003)
The USCIS has added two new on-line services: credit card payment options for electronically filed applications, and processing date information to the case status system. (AILA Doc. No. 03120246)
USCIS Enters into Proposed Settlement Agreements in CSS and LULAC Cases (12/2/2003)
USCIS Announces Streamlined Process for Child Citizenship Certificates(88 KB - 11/25/2003)
A USCIS Press Release dated 11/20/03 announced the launch of the Child Citizenship Act (CCA) Program, geared toward streamlining the process by which parents obtain a Certificate of Citizenship for their adopted children. (AILA Doc. No. 03112542)
USCIS to Make Travel Documents More Secure (11/24/2003)
A USCIS News Release dated 11/24/03 announces the production of a newly redesigned travel document, incorporating increased security features aimed at eliminating counterfeit documents. The new document replaces the existing refugee travel document and reentry permit for LPRs. Travel documents and reentry permits currently in circulation will remain valid until their expiration dates.
USCIS Reminds Travelers of Advance Parole and Unlawful Presence (11/17/2003)
Forget snowflakes and streetcorner Santas. You know the holidays are coming when INS/USCIS sends out its annual reminder to obtain advance parole and to consider accrual of unlawful presence before traveling.
USCIS Reminds Eligible Salvadorans to Re-Register for TPS and EAD Extensions by 9/15/03(83 KB - 9/5/2003)
Re-registration will allow eligible Salvadorans to maintain their status and employment authorization for 18 additional months, beginning on 9/9/03 and ending on 3/9/05. TPS re-registration applications must be postmarked by 9/15/03. (AILA Doc. No. 03090543)
Service Center Adjudicators May Issue NTAs (8/29/2003)
AILA has received a reliable report that BCIS plans to have adjudicators at the Service Centers start issuing Notices to Appear, possibly as early as October 1, 2003.
New I-140 and Seven Other New BCIS Forms Required On and After October 1, 2003 (Updated 1/8/04) (8/27/2003)
The BCIS has revised eight forms in recent months for which the newly revised versions will be required on and after October 1, 2003. Those forms include the I-140, I-824, I-129S, I-102, N-470, I-526, I-829, and N-336.
BCIS Announces Latest H1-B Petition Statistics for FY 2003(86 KB - 8/27/2003)
During the first three quarters of FY 2003, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (BCIS) approved 56,986 H1-B petitions subject to the numerical cap and 84,534 cap-exempt H1-B petitions. According to BCIS, an additional 47,813 petitions are pending, of which one-third are expected to count against the cap if approved. (AILA Doc. No. 03082740)
BCIS Issues Updated Press Release on TPS Extension for El Salvador (7/17/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) has issued an updated Press Release regarding the recently announced extension of temporary protected status (TPS) for El Salvador. The new Release contains information on the re-registration period, as well as information on employment authorization for TPS beneficiaries.
BCIS Issues FAQ on TPS Extension for El Salvador (7/17/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) has issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the recently announced extension of temporary protected status (TPS) for El Salvador.
BCIS Announces Legal Immigration Figures for FY 2002 (7/14/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), on 7/14/03, announced that a total of 1,063,732 persons legally immigrated to the U.S. in FY 2002, 384,427 of whom obtained their visas abroad, with the remaining 653,259 granted adjustment of status.
BCIS Instructions for NCSC Handling of Service Requests on Pending Applications(137 KB - 7/10/2003)
AILA has obtained a copy of the instructions provided to NCSC representatives on the 800 number inquiry system. The instructions set out criteria for NCSC referral of inquiries to the Service Centers and explains the situations in which the NCSC should advise callers to make direct contact with the Service Center. (AILA Doc. No. 03071050)
BCIS Announces TPS Extension for El Salvador (7/10/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) announced on 7/10/03 that temporary protected status (TPS) for El Salvador will be extended for an additional 18-months, until 3/9/05. Additional information, including the re-registration dates, will be provided in a forthcoming Federal Register notice.
Eduardo Aguirre Confirmed As BCIS Director (6/25/2003)
On June 19, 2003, the day on which he was addressing the plenary session of the 2003 AILA Annual Conference, Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., was confirmed by the Senate as the first Director of the Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services.
BCIS Reminds Eligible Hondurans and Nicaraguans to Re-register For TPS (6/17/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) reminds eligible Hondurans and Nicaraguans to immediately re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to maintain TPS and employment authorization for the 18-month period beginning on 7/5/03 and ending on 1/5/05. Applications must be received by 7/7/03.
BCIS Alert to Pending Asylee Adjustment Applicants (6/4/2003)
BCIS announcement that asylees who filed for adjustment of status on or before 2/1/99, and who have not yet received a decision on that application, should contact the NCSC. Special notice is given to Iraqi and Syrian asylees. AILA Doc. No. 03060440.
BCIS Announces Electronic Filing for Form I-90 and Form I-765 on 5/29/03(25 KB - 5/29/2003)
BCIS press release announcing that starting 5/29/03, electronic filing will be available for Form I-90 and Form I-765. AILA Doc. No. 03052942.
Information on Contractors Supporting the BCIS’s E-Filing Initiative (5/29/2003)
The BCIS provides background information on the contractors supporting its e-filing initiative.
BCIS Issues FAQ on E-Filing Initiative (5/29/2003)
The BCIS answers Frequently Asked Questions on electronic filing.
BCIS Issues Fact Sheet on E-Filing Initiative (5/29/2003)
BCIS Issues Fact Sheet on E-Filing Initiative.
BCIS Press Release Announces Commencement of E-Filing Initiative (5/29/2003)
A BCIS Press Release announces that the agency, on 5/29/03, started accepting electronic filing of Forms I-90 and I-765. The Press Release is provided in both English and Spanish.
BCIS Kicks Off Electronic Filing with Chicago Press Conference (5/28/2003)
Beginning 5/29/03, the BCIS will make electronic filing (e-filing) available for Forms I-90 and I-765. To mark the occasion, BCIS Acting Director Eduardo Aguirre will hold a Press Conference in Chicago at 11:30 am (CST) on 5/29.
BCIS Grants Asylum to Iraqi Who Aided MIA’s Release (4/30/2003)
The BCIS has granted asylum to an Iraqi citizen who provided information that led to the rescue of an American soldier missing in action.
May 29 Is Launch Date for BCIS E-filing (4/25/2003)
BCIS has advised AILA that the expected launch date for efiling of I-765s and I-90s is May 29, 2003. The date was inadvertently left blank on the 4/25/03 press release announcing the efiling program.
BCIS Fact Sheet on E-Filing (4/25/2003)
A BCIS Fact Sheet dated 4-25-03 discusses electronic filing and other BCIS services online.
BCIS News Release Announces First Steps Toward E-Filing (4/25/2003)
A BCIS News Release dated 4-25-03 announces the agency’s first steps toward the electronic filing of certain immigration forms.
Information Officer Assistance Slated to Move to BCIS Customer Service Number (4/8/2003)
AILA has been advised that BCIS intends to move the Information Officer telephone lines at the service centers to the national 800 number on 6/1/03. Please send your experiences with the 800 customer service line to reports@aila.org.
BCIS Answers District Office Questions on Transition(161 KB - 3/20/2003)
Answers from BCIS HQ to questions from the field offices on the transition to Department of Homeland Security. (AILA Doc. No. 03032031) (File Size: 160 KB.)
BCIS Begins Pilot Project Toward Development of New Citizenship Test (3/13/2003)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) announces the launch of a pilot project to standardize the English, government, and U.S. history tests administered to citizenship applicants, with the goal of having a new naturalization test in place by late 2004.
BCIS Interim Management Directors Named (3/7/2003)
The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Gordon England, and Acting Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), Eduardo Aguirre Jr., have announced the appointment of Interim Regional Directors and Interim District Directors for the BCIS.
Head of DHS' Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services Named (2/10/2003)
Eduardo Aguirre, currently vice chairman and first vice president of the Export-Import Bank, has been named as Director of the BCIS within the Department of Homeland Security. BCIS is the bureau that will handle adjudication of petitions and applications.

AILA Home

Agora

Set Text Size:

2003

AILA Home

Agora

InfoNet Login

Set Text Size:

Subscribe to Content

2003