ESTA Requirements Now in Effect for Visa Waiver Program Travelers (.pdf 23 KB) On 1/12/09 DHS issued a reminder to Visa Waiver Program travelers that they are now required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States.
AAO Processing Times as of January 8, 2009 (.pdf 49 KB) The Administrative Appeals Office releases processing times as of January 8, 2009.
Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Eight Months for Knowingly Employing Undocumented Workers (.pdf 30 KB) On 1/7/09 ICE announced that a restaurant owner in LaGrange, Kentucky was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for knowingly employing undocumented workers. Upon completion of his sentence he will be subject to deportation proceedings.
Update from U.S. Consulate at Ciudad Juarez: Delivery of Visas
The U.S. Consulate at Ciudad Juarez has posted new information on delivery of visas to the consulate's website.
USCIS Publishes Notice on Revision to Direct Mail Program for N-400s
USCIS published a notice announcing the revision of its Direct Mail Program so that certain filings of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, will now be filed at a designated lockbox facility instead of a USCIS Service Center. The notice is effective 1/22/09. (73 FR 78818, 12/23/08).
Ciudad Juarez Requires Electronic DS-160 For All Non-immigrant Visa Applicants
Beginning January 20, 2009, all non-immigrant visa applicants, regardless of visa class, with an appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico will be required to use the DS-160 electronic NIV application form.
