Undocumented Life: A year in, only a handful of immigrants benefit from 'prosecutorial discretion' | Chicago Muckrakers

Undocumented Life: A year in, only a handful of immigrants benefit from 'prosecutorial discretion' | Chicago Muckrakers

If the Prosecutorial Discretion plan had worked as intended they would not have need to do the DACA program. Fortunately, bureaucratic intransigence forced the administration to take more drastic steps.

Vermont CBP Advises Travelers, Prepare for Busy Holiday and Increased Traffic - CBP.gov

Vermont CBP Advises Travelers, Prepare for Busy Holiday and Increased Traffic - CBP.gov


St. Albans, Vt. - In an effort to provide the best possible service to the traveling public, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials throughout Vermont and New Hampshire are proactively reminding members of the traveling public to make sure they have the proper documents, and to plan for a possible increase in traffic over the Labor Day/Labour Day (August 31 - September 3) weekend.

Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP Web site and consult the border wait times page when planning their trip, and are advised to select alternative entry routes that are least congested. For example, travelers may want to use the nearby and less heavily traveled Beecher Falls instead of the Derby Line port. Travelers should also remember to have their travel documents ready for inspection and be prepared to declare all items acquired outside the U.S. For more information, please visit the “Know Before You Go” Web site. ( KBYG ) For more information on border crossing times, which are updated hourly, please visit the CBP “Border Wait Times” Web site. ( BWT )

In compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, need to present an approved travel document to enter the U.S. by land and sea. Air travelers need a Passport while those traveling by land or sea may use a variety of documents to include a Passport, Passport Card, Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST), an Enhanced Driver’s License or approved Tribal Documents. U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 can present an original or copy of their birth certificate. Use of WHTI compliant, RFID enabled documents reduces the time it takes to process travelers and expedites their entry at the border. For more information, please visit the WHTI Web site. (GetYouHome.gov )

CBP also reminds U.S. lawful permanent residents that the I-551 form (green card) is acceptable for land and sea travel into the U.S., and frequent cross-border travelers are encouraged to participate in the NEXUS program, which allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to proceed with little or no delay into the United States and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency and CBP Web sites. For more information, please visit the CBSA and CBP Web sites. ( CBSA-ASFC ) ( CBP.gov ) Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free at (866) NEXUS 26 ((866) 639-8726).

Tip 1 - Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Please have crossing documents available for the inspection including a WHTI approved document for U.S. citizens. For more information, please visit the “Get You Home” website. ( GetYouHome.gov )

Tip 2 - Vehicle occupants should not use cell phones while approaching the port or during the inspection process. Cell phone usage slows down the inspection process and causes delays for everyone in line.

Tip 3 - Alcohol/Tobacco/Firearms. In addition to federal laws, travelers entering the U.S. at ports of entry are also subject to all state alcohol/tobacco/firearm laws. Often times, state laws can be more restrictive than federal laws. If transporting any of these items, please check with local law enforcement to see if any restrictions apply.

Tip 4 - Travelers should build extra time into their trips in the event they cross during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic.

Tip 5 - Alternate Routes. During periods of heavy travel, border crossers may wish to consider alternative entry routes. For example, they may want to use the nearby and less heavily traveled Derby Line (Rt. 5) instead of the Derby Line (I-91) port. For more information on border crossing times, which are updated hourly, please visit the CBP “Border Wait Times” website. (BWT )

Tip 6 - Currency. There is no limit on total amount of monetary instruments that may be brought in or taken out of the U.S. However, if you are transporting more than $10,000 you must file a Report of International Transportation of International Currency or Monetary Instruments (FinCen 105 – this form is available at the port of entry). Failure to properly declare or report the importation or exportation of currency or monetary instruments in excess of $10,000 could result in seizure.

Tip 7 - Food items. Prepared foods for personal consumption or for family/friend gatherings is allowed. If bringing food items for resale or for commercial use, go to www.fda.gov or contact your local CBP office for more information. ( FDA.gov )However, if you plan to cross the border with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables and you are not sure if they are allowed into the United States, please check with your local CBP office before arrival.

Tip 8 - Goods and gifts. When crossing the border, all travelers and vehicles are subject to search. Please keep this in mind when transporting gifts for special occasions. Remember to “declare everything purchased or acquired outside of the United States. If duty is applicable, credit cards or cash payment in U.S. currency is acceptable.

Tip 9 - Medicine/Narcotics. Travelers must declare medications at the border. All valid non-expired prescription medications should be in the original prescription containers with all pertinent information listed on the outside. Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry. There are severe civil and/or criminal penalties if imported.

Tip 10 - Pets. Cats and dogs must be free of disease and illness when entering the U.S. In addition, dog owners must be able to show proof of rabies vaccination. If crossing with a puppy, certain paperwork will need to be completed at the border for the “new addition to the family.”

Tip 11 - Firewood. Travelers wishing to bring Canadian-origin firewood should be aware of the U.S. Department of Agriculture treatment requirements. Non-commercial shipments of firewood must include a heat treatment certificate or have an attached treatment label. All untreated firewood will not be allowed entry and will require you to turn back for disposal of the wood. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov for more information on this requirement. ( aphis.usda.gov )

The border travel tips will be of assistance in averting any potential frustrations when crossing the border during your travels. If you have questions, you may also contact the Port of Derby Line at (802) 873-3316 or the Port Highgate Springs at (802) 868-2278.

For more information on traveling to or from the U.S. or locating a CBP office, please visit the CBP Web site. ( CBP.gov )

Port Name	Address	Hours of Operation Passenger Vehicles
Highgate Springs	480 Welcome Center Road Swanton, VT 05488	24x7
Highgate Springs	NEXUS Lane	0630-0830 daily 1500-1800 on Fridays
Burlington Airport	228 Aviaton Ave Suite 100 South Burlington, VT 05403	0800-2100
Alburgh	200 Line Road Alburgh, VT 05440	24x7
Alburgh Springs	303 Alburgh Springs Rd Alburgh Springs, VT 05440	0800-2400
Morses Line	4475 Morses Line Road Franklin, VT 05457	0800-2400
Richford	705 Province Street Richford, VT 05476	24x7
East Richford	Route 105A 357 Glen Sutton Road Richford, VT 05476	24x7
Pinnacle	14 Pinnacle Road Richford, VT 05476	24x7
West Berkshire	7823 West Berkshire Enosburgh Falls, VT 05450	24x7
Derby Line (I-91)	107 Interstate 91 South Derby Line, VT 05830	24x7
Derby Line (Rt. 5)	Route 5 Derby Line, VT 05830	24x7
North Troy	743 VT Route 243 North Troy, VT 05859	24x7
Beebe Plain	3161 Beebe Road Beebe, VT 05823	24x7
Norton	115 Route 147 North Norton, VT 05907	24x7
Canaan	387 VT Route 141 Canaan, VT 05903	24x7
Beecher Falls	1429 VT Route 253 Beecher Falls, VT 05902	24x7
Pittsburg	6293 North Main Street Pittsburg, NH 03592	24x7

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

NAFSA | Resource Library | CBP Discontinues Stamping Form I-20 At Ports of Entry

NAFSA | Resource Library | CBP Discontinues Stamping Form I-20 At Ports of Entry

On August 15, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unofficially confirmed for NAFSA that:

"CBP is no longer stamping I-20s at POEs. Recognizing that some staff at certain benefit granting agencies (for example, motor vehicle agencies) look for a stamp on these documents before granting a benefit, USCIS is conducting extensive outreach to ensure that these agencies are aware of this change."

NAFSA has received several reports of difficulties encountered at a number of state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) due to the lack of a stamp on Form I-20. In response to a NAFSA inquiry, USCIS informed NAFSA on August 16, 2012, that:

"If specific issues arise with a DMV or other government agency rejecting a student’s unstamped I-20, we request that the student or their designated school official (DSO) email USCIS at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov so that we can contact the government agency to clarify the benefit."

CBP has not yet publicly announced this important change in procedure. NAFSA has also asked the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to confirm their understanding of the change, and to update their Fact Sheet: Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry…What a Student Can Expect. That fact sheet was last updated in 2004, and still reads in part, “Once your inspection is successfully completed, the inspecting officer will:  Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status (“D/S”) for F visa holders; Stamp your SEVIS Form for 30 days beyond program end date for M visa holders.” The Study in the States Web site also links to that Fact Sheet.

This change also follows an August 7, 2012 CBP announcement of delays of 30 or more days in entering I-94 data into DHS systems, while CBP works to streamline entry data processes. Both changes come at a time when schools are busy receiving and registering students for the new school year.

Want to be considered for DACA? (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Link to USCIS flyer on DACA
How do I request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals?

Beginning August 15, 2012, you will be required to submit your request for consideration of deferred action to USCIS through a form, along with a form requesting an employment authorization document. The total fees will be $465. USCIS expects to have the forms and instructions available on its website on August 15, 2012. Do not submit any request to USCIS before these forms are available. All requests received before August 15, 2012 will be rejected.