July Visa Bulletin: EB2 Jumps to March 8, 2007, for India and China

The U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for July 2011 brought more good news for many in the EB2 category from India and China. This follows advancements in May and June, as well. The bulletin did not contain any predictions for the upcoming months. This advancement means that many additional, long-pending adjustment-of-status (I-485 or “green card”) cases will be eligible for approval in July 2011. This is for the employment-based second-preference category.
Obama Administration Changes Stance on Deportation
Under fire for its stepped-up deportation program, the Obama administration said on June 17 that it will focus more on criminal aliens and make it less likely illegal immigrants without convictions are deported.
John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the arm of the Homeland Security department that handles immigration in the interior of the country, said he is delegating prosecutorial discretion to lawyers to decide whether to pursue cases. He also said he has created an advisory panel to recommend how to change the deportation program, known as Secure Communities, that has caused consternation within the immigrant-rights community.
Under Secure Communities, illegal immigrants can be identified and put in deportation proceedings when they are arrested, but Mr. Morton said he is “strongly considering” changing that in the case of minor crimes and traffic offenses, so that illegal immigrants are only targeted once they are convicted of another offense.
In Unprecedented Move, Govt. Passes National Initiative to Combat Immigration Services Scams
The U.S. government has unveiled a multi-agency, nationwide initiative to combat immigration services scams. The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are leading this historic effort.
This initiative targets immigration scams involving the unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL), which occurs when legal advice and/or representation regarding immigration matters is provided by an individual who is not an attorney or accredited representative.
“We are dedicated to protecting vulnerable immigrants from those who seek to exploit them,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “Through our sustained outreach, enforcement and education efforts, and our close collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners, we will provide the communities we serve with the help needed to combat this pernicious problem.”
This initiative is set upon three pillars—enforcement, education and continued collaboration—designed to stop UPIL scams and prosecute those who are responsible; educate immigrants about these scams and how to avoid them; and inform immigrants about the legal immigration process and where to find legitimate legal advice and representation.
“This coordinated initiative targets those who prey on immigrant communities by making promises they do not keep and charging for services they are not qualified to provide,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “We are attacking this problem both through aggressive civil and criminal enforcement and by connecting qualified lawyers with victims who are trying to navigate a complicated immigration system,” he said.
Fiscal Year 2012 H-1B Cap Count
Cap Type |
Cap Amount |
Cap Eligible Petitions |
Date of Last Count |
H-1B Regular Cap |
65,000 |
15,200 |
6/13/2011 |
H-1B Master’s Exemption |
20,000 |
10,200 |
6/13/2011 |
VISA PREFERENCE NUMBERS FOR JULY 2011
FAMILY India Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st 01May04 01May04
2A 22Mar08 22Mar08
2B 01Jul03 01Jul03
3rd 15Jul01 15Jul01
4th 08Mar00 08Mar00
EMPLOYMENT India Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st Current Current
2nd 8Mar07 Current
3rd 01May02 08Oct05
Other 01May02 22Nov04
4th Current Current
5th Current Current1B
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