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2005

  • Monterrey Addresses H-2R Substitutions (11/18/2005)
    The U.S. Consulate in Monterrey has indicated its policy on whether it will allow substitutions in the H-2B context where a returning worker (H-2R) is involved.
    AILA Doc. No. 05111860.
  • U.S. Embassy in Mexico Announces New On-Line Service for TCN Appointments(17 KB - 10/17/2005)
    In its 10/14/05 press release, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico announces that beginning Monday, October 17, an eligible Third Country National wishing to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate in Mexico must make the interview appointment on-line via a newly launched website. AILA Doc. No. 05101446.
    AILA Doc. No. 05101746.
  • DOS Announces Worldwide Business Visa Center Now Online(536 KB - 10/6/2005)
    DOS press release announcing that the Worldwide Business Visa Center is now available online. The web site outlines the Business Visa Center’s role and the visa application process. AILA Doc. No. 05100562.
    AILA Doc. No. 05100562.
  • Notice from Consulate in Toronto Regarding Processing of E-3 Applications(15 KB - 9/13/2005)
    The U.S. consulate in Toronto provides information on applying for an E-3 visa for Australian citizens through that consulate. Note that this applies only to Toronto, and not necessarily to other posts in Canada. AILA Doc. No. 05091340.
    AILA Doc. No. 05091340.
  • DOS Reports on Conditions at the New Orleans Passport Office (9/8/2005)
    State Dept. reports that all the materials in the passport agency in New Orleans have been collected and are now on their way to another location. A telepone number for inquiries about passport applications for those who plan to travel in the next six weeks is provided.
    AILA Doc. No. 05090863.
  • State Dept. Offers On-Line Status Checks for Passport Applications (8/15/2005)
    State Dept. introduces a system whereby recent passport applicants can check the status of their applications via the internet.
    AILA Doc. No. 05081566.
  • U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Resumes Normal Operations (8/11/2005)
    This State Department press release announces the resumption of normal operations at the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. AILA Doc. No. 05081167.
    AILA Doc. No. 05081167.
  • State Dept. Announces Opening of Worldwide Business Visa Center (7/15/2005)
    State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has established a business visa center to explain the visa process to U.S. based businesses and facilitate communication between U.S. companies and consular officers. Email and phone contact information is provided.
    AILA Doc. No. 05071561.
  • Student Visas for Chinese Nationals To Have Longer Validity (6/16/2005)
    State Dept. announces that F, J and M visas for Chinese nationals will be valid for 12 months and multiple entries, starting June 20, 2005.
    AILA Doc. No. 05061660.
  • DOS to Issue 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report (6/2/2005)
    The Department of State press release notifies the public that the 150-country 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report will be released on Friday, 6/3/05. This year's report will include an added focus on forced labor trafficking including involuntary servitude and debt bondage. AILA Doc. No. 05060260.
    AILA Doc. No. 05060260.
  • DOS Announces New Online Passport Application Form Procedure(534 KB - 5/27/2005)
    DOS press release announcing the introduction of a new online passport application form procedure. AILA Doc. No. 05052762.
    AILA Doc. No. 05052762.
  • DOS Welcomes New UNHCR (5/26/2005)
    Press statement from Department of State welcomes the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres. Mr. Guterres was previously the Prime Minister of Portugal.
    AILA Doc. No. 05052663.
  • DOS Press Release on Agreement between the U.S. and the UNHCR(539 KB - 5/25/2005)
    DOS press release announcing the 2005 Framework for Cooperation between the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the U.S., which sets out the basis for cooperation between the U.N. refugee agency and its largest single donor, the U.S. AILA Doc. No. 05052511.
    AILA Doc. No. 05052511.
  • DHS and DOS Advise that All VWP Travelers to the U.S. Must Possess Machine Readable Passports as of 6/26/05 (5/12/2005)
    The Departments of Homeland Security and State advise that, commencing 6/26/05, all VWP travelers without visas must possess machine readable passports to be admissible to the United States. Substantial fines will be imposed on carriers found to be in violation.
    AILA Doc. No. 05051269.
  • State Department Issues Press Release about Hmong Refugee Resettlement (4/20/2005)
    The DOS press release announces that the U.S. is not conducting any registration of Hmong residing in Thailand for resettlement in the United States. AILA Doc. No. 05042065.
    AILA Doc. No. 05042065.
  • Update on the H-1B Situation (4/5/2005)
    Information provided by William Yates of USCIS at a New York Chapter meeting on 4/4/05.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040572.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Admissions Program for Near East and South Asia(538 KB - 4/5/2005)
    The DOS's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's fact sheet on Refugee Admissions Program for the Near East and South Asia, which summarizes a brief history of refugee admissions from this region, and states that the FY2005 ceiling for this region is 2,500. AILA Doc. No. 05040571.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040571.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Admissions Program for East Asia(534 KB - 4/5/2005)
    The DOS's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's fact sheet on Refugee Admissions Program for East Asia for FY2005, which has a ceiling for this region of 13,000. Approximately 10,000 of the admissions will be used by Lao-Hmong from Thailand. AILA Doc No 05040567.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040567.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Admissions Program for Europe and Central Asia(536 KB - 4/5/2005)
    DOS's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's fact sheet on Refugee Admissions Program for Europe and Central Asia, which summarizes refugee admissions from the region and states that the FY 2005 ceiling for Europe and Central Asia is 9,500. AILA Doc. No. 05040568.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040568.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Admissions Program for Latin America and the Caribbean(547 KB - 4/5/2005)
    DOS's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's fact sheet on Refugee Admissions Program for Latin America and the Caribbean. The FY 2005 ceiling for this region is 5,000, with most of these admissions being Cubans processed through the in-country program. AILA Doc. No. 05040569.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040569.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Admissions Program for Africa(531 KB - 4/5/2005)
    The DOS's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's fact sheet on Refugee Admissions Program for Africa summarizes a brief history of refugee admissions from this region, and states that the FY2005 ceiling for this region is 20,000. AILA Doc. No. 05040566.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040566.
  • DOS Fact Sheet on FY2005 Refugee Reception and Placement Program(534 KB - 4/5/2005)
    DOS fact sheet provides a brief description of the refugee Reception & Placement program and lists the ten voluntary agencies participating in the DOS program during FY2005. AILA Doc. No. 05040565.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040565.
  • DOS Announces Plans to Require Passports for Western Hemisphere Travel(624 KB - 4/5/2005)
    DOS announcement that under WHTI, as of 1/1/08, all U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and of Mexico will be required to have a passport or other accepted secure document in order to enter or re-enter the U.S. AILA Doc. No. 05040564.
    AILA Doc. No. 05040564.
  • DOS Advises on Changed J Waiver Consular Processing Fees, Effective 3/8/05 (3/7/2005)
    The Department of State (DOS) advises that, effective 3/8/05, any J waiver applications filed with any overpayment or underpayment of the correct fee will result in the application package being returned to the sender.
    AILA Doc. No. 05030767.
  • DOS Releases Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004 (2/28/2005)
    On 2/28/05, the Department of State released and submitted to Congress the 2004 Country Reports for Human Rights Practices. The Country Reports provide a detailed analysis of human rights conditions in 196 countries, and are frequently cited as evidence in hardship, asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture cases. AILA Doc. No. 05022860.
    AILA Doc. No. 05022860.
  • DOS/DHS Announce Improved Visa Processing Times (2/22/2005)
    The Departments of State and Homeland Security jointly comment on a GAO report citing improvements in processing for applications subject to Visas Mantis processing.
    AILA Doc. No. 05022267.
  • Some Visas Mantis Clearances Extended (2/14/2005)
    State Dept. announces that it has extended the validity of Visas Mantis clearances for F, J, H, L, and B visas for extensions of stay after specified time periods.
    AILA Doc. No. 05021460.
  • State Dept. Receives More Than Six Million DV Lottery Entries (2/11/2005)
    The Department of State announces the number of entries received into the DV2006 visa lottery, as well as the number of entries disqualified. Information that will help distinguish real notifications of selection for the lottery from fraudulent ones is provided.
    AILA Doc. No. 05021163.
  • U.S. Contributes $125 million for Refugees (2/3/2005)
    The Department of State announces the U.S. contribution of $125 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to be used for the care and protection of refugees worldwide. A breakdown of contributions by region is provided. AILA Doc. No. 05020464.
    AILA Doc. No. 05020464.
  • DOS Announces Halt in Hmong Refugee Resettlement for Enhanced Medical Screening (2/1/2005)
    State Dept. announces that travel of Hmong Lao refugees from Wat Tham Krabok is suspended until further investigation of tuberculosis reports is completed and expanded screening and treatment guidelines are developed.
    AILA Doc. No. 05020160.
  • DOS Expands Reciprocity Period for B Visas for Chinese Nationals (1/13/2005)
    State Dept. announces that the reciprocity schedule for China has been changed to reflect that B-1 and B-2 visas can now be issued for a validity period of up to 12 months and for multiple entries.
    AILA Doc. No. 05011363.