USCIS Launches Online Immigration System, USCIS ELIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent this bulletin at 05/22/2012 10:42 AM EDT U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched the first phase of its electronic immigration benefits system, known as USCIS ELIS. The system has been created to modernize the process for filing and adjudicating immigration benefits. “Today marks a significant milestone in our agency’s history,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “We have launched the foundation for the web-based future of our agency and our immigration benefits system. USCIS ELIS will transform how we interact with our customers and how we manage the 6-7 million applications we receive each year.” This initial launch brings the agency closer to realizing the future of immigration services. Beginning today, individuals can establish a USCIS ELIS account and apply online to extend or change their nonimmigrant status for certain visa types. Eligible individuals include foreign citizens who travel to the United States temporarily to study, conduct business, receive medical treatment, or visit on vacation. USCIS ELIS will also enable USCIS officers to review and adjudicate online filings from multiple agency locations across the country. Historically, USCIS customers have had to apply for most benefits by mail and USCIS employees then review paper files and ship documents between offices to complete their adjudication. Today’s launch signifies an important step forward and is the first of several releases. Future releases will add form types and functions to the system, gradually expanding to cover filing and adjudication for all USCIS immigration benefits. This important transition for America’s immigration benefits system will take time and continued dedication to fully implement. Following this first release, USCIS anticipates making adjustments and improvements in response to user feedback. This process will enable USCIS to continually enhance the user experience for both customers and USCIS employees. It will also allow the agency to smooth the transition to electronic filing over time, mindful of those individuals without computer access and the agency’s commitment to serve our diverse customer base. Benefits of using USCIS ELIS include filing applications and paying fees online, shorter processing times, and the ability to update user profiles, receive notices, and respond to requests electronically. The system also includes tools to combat fraud and identify national security concerns. Mayorkas attributed today’s successful launch to the steadfast dedication of the USCIS workforce. “USCIS employees believe in the transformation of our agency from a paper-based to an online environment. It is through their vision, unwavering commitment, and hard work that we have reached this important milestone,” Mayorkas said. Visit www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis to take a tour of the new system, learn about eligibility and the benefits of using USCIS ELIS, and find frequently asked questions.mmigration System rolled out by USCIS for Non-immigrant applications.

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APNewsBreak: Immigration officials offer to shelve 7.5 pct of deportation cases under review - The Washington Post

APNewsBreak: Immigration officials offer to shelve 7.5 pct of deportation cases under review - The Washington Post


 SANTA ANA, Calif. — Immigration officials have offered to shelve 7.5 percent of deportation cases under a massive review of the backlogged U.S. system aimed at focusing on deporting more criminals, authorities said Tuesday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has offered to temporarily suspend the deportation cases of roughly 16,500 people after reviewing more than 70 percent of the immigration cases pending as of mid-April, according to statistics released by the agency.
ICE officials said 2,700 cases have been shelved. The rest still require paperwork and background checks. It was not immediately clear how many immigrants had been told of the offer or how many had accepted it.
The Obama administration announced in August that roughly 300,000 deportation cases would be reviewed and non-criminals and those illegal immigrants who posed no public safety or national security threat would likely have their cases put on hold indefinitely.

Immigration turnaround offers chance for real solutions - The Washington Post

Immigration turnaround offers chance for real solutions - The Washington Post

According to the Pew report, there are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States; six out of 10 are Mexican. The number of immigrants without papers has actually been falling. Wouldn’t this be a perfect time to take a deep breath and start talking about reasonable ways to engineer a more rational immigration policy?

Yes it would, but don’t hold your breath. Apparently, we’re going to have a lot of shouting without actually trying to find a solution. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of Arizona’s “driving while brown” law, which instructs police to challenge and, if necessary, apprehend anyone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant. The law forbids racial profiling, but the truth is that it effectively guaranteesprofiling.

The administration argues that the state law usurps the federal government’s prerogative to set immigration policy. The court is expected to decide the case this summer, and the ruling’s impact may be less practical — since illegal immigration, I repeat, is already on the decline — than political.

click the link to see the rest of the OPED from Eugene Robinson

ImmigrationProf Blog: Almost 700,000 Naturalizations in 2011

ImmigrationProf Blog: Almost 700,000 Naturalizations in 2011

Naturalization report from USCIS:

U.S. Naturalizations: 2011

This report presents information on the number and characteristics of foreign nationals who became American citizens during fiscal year 2011.

In 2011, the total number of persons naturalizing was 694,193 (see Table 1 and Figure 1). The leading countries of birth of new citizens were Mexico (94,783), India (45,985), the Philippines (42,520), the People’s Republic of China (32,864), and Colombia (22,693). The largest number of persons naturalizing lived in California (151,183), Florida (87,309), and New York (76,603).

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/natz_fr_2011.pdf

Opinion analysis: Court rejects retroactive application of 1996 immigration law amendment : SCOTUSblog

Opinion analysis: Court rejects retroactive application of 1996 immigration law amendment : SCOTUSblog

I am a fan of this opinion...unlike many that the Supreme Court has been making lately or may be likely to make in the near future. On immigration, the court has a mixed record in recent years -- but the opinions are typically toward restricting the draconian effects of the "Immigration Reforms" passed by the Contract with America Congresses of the mid 1990s

When It Comes to Immigration, Privatization Can Kill - NYTimes.com

When It Comes to Immigration, Privatization Can Kill - NYTimes.com

I am going to keep on reposting these stories because this really is a travesty of our times. One hundred years from now historians will look back on this practice with shame. Click the link to see the NYT article.