US Immigration News

US Immigration officials announced this week the appointment of a new public advocate in charge of addressing questions and complaints about immigration law-enforcement policies. A public advocate is a governmental position similar to an ombudsman. They are a government official who investigates citizens' complaints against the government.

A group of Kansas businesses in the US proposes a new program to help undocumented immigrants to be able to stay in the state so they can work in agriculture and in other industries with labour shortages.The business coalition consists of representatives from various agriculture groups and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The coalition's draft bill explained the details of its proposal which would create a group of immigrant workers that businesses could use after the state certifies a labor shortage in their industries.

The US Consulate General in Nigeria has announced that Nigerian applicants applying for US visas in Lagos, Nigeria will benefit from shorter visa processing times.

The United States-India Educational Foundation and US immigration officials advised students wishing to study in the US should apply early for the US visas so they have time to prepare properly for their interview.Jessica Pfleiderer, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the US, stressed the need for coming well prepared to the US visa interview.

Following US President Barack Obama's announcement of the streamlining of the visa application process for tourists, the US Embassy in New Delhi, India has announced they expect a significant increase in the number of visas applications being made by Indians.In 2011, the US Embassy in India processed around 700,000 visas. The US embassy expects the number of visa applications made in India to continue to grow at a rate of 14 percent per year.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that there have been five more countries added to the list of eligible nationals who can participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs in 2012. This brings the lists total to 58 countries. The list of Countries will be reviewed again one year from the date of publication.