Anti-Refugee Bill Gets Shut Down by South Carolina Residents
An anti-refugee bill died without a single vote when a broad coalition of South Carolina residents firmly opposed the bill. 22 people including refugees, pastors, teachers, and veterans testified before the House subcommittee to oppose the bill, many basing their objection on Christian values, which they claim rejects anti-refugee rhetoric.
A week later the bill advanced out of the subcommittee. But after the persuasive testimony of the coalition, comprised of people from both sides of the political spectrum, including the far-right evangelical movement, the full House Judiciary Committee opted not to take up the bill, despite anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment amongst government officials.
USCIS Ombudsman Issues Recommendation Regarding U Visa Parole Policy
The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman has issued its recommendation to USCIS regarding a U visa parole policy. This new policy would facilitate parole for individuals who have established eligibility for U nonimmigrant status and who reside outside the U.S.
The recommendation was issued after numerous humanitarian concerns were expressed by principals and beneficiaries residing abroad. The recommendation is also designed to help USCIS develop a consistent parole policy and to help streamline the adjudications of parole requests.
USCIS will respond to the recommendation within 3 months.
To view the full text of the recommendation, click here.
Nebraska Service Center Will Begin Processing Certain Form I-918 Cases
In July, the Nebraska Service Center will begin processing cases involving the Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status. It will share the workload with the Vermont Service Center in order to balance the work, improve processing time, and maximize efficiency and customer service. USVIS will implement the transition in phases, allowing Nebraska Service Center officers to receive specialized training from Vermont Service Center officers and to gain experience adjudicating the U nonimmigrant petitions before they begin processing cases.
For more information, click here.
EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants from Mexico
The July 2016 Visa Bulletin notes a final action date of January 1, 2010, for EB-4 visas for special immigrants from Mexico. This means that starting on July 1, 2016, applicants from Mexico who filed Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant on or after January 1, 2010, will not be able to obtain an immigrant visa or adjudicate status until new visas become available.
Mexico has reached its EB-4 visa limit as congressionally mandated for fiscal year 2016. Information on EB-4 visa availability for fiscal year 2017 will appear in the September edition of the Visa Bulletin.
Petitioners from any country, including Mexico, may continue to file Form I-360. There is no annual limit on the number of Form I-360 petitions USCIS may approve.
For more information, click here.
Pro-immigration Activists Begin 350-mile walk to GOP Convention
Reverend Jose Landaverde is leading a 25-day march to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. So far he is accompanied by activist Juan Gonzalez and a handful of supporters. He expects that there will be 75-100 marchers by the time they reach the convention, which runs from July 18-21.
The march is meant to send a message to Republican leaders and politicians to stop their racist and xenophobic rhetoric and to advocate for immigrant and refugee rights.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pro-immigration-leaders-350-mile-walk-gop-convention/
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