[June 15, 2007]

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IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IN IMMIGRATION!

There is a good chance that Congress will pass, and President Bush will sign, a new Immigration Law.  If it happens, it would benefit many people.  But as of this day, it is still not a sure thing.

            However, in the meantime, THERE IS OTHER IMPORTANT AND GOOD NEWS:

(a)        the new PERM system of the Department of Labor is working very well.  Today, it is possible to get an approved Labor Certification within one to two weeks of filing (or two to three months from the start of the process by the lawyers);

(b)        visa numbers in the E-3 category (skilled workers) became available.  (The ¡°quota¡± is current, or open.)  If somebody has an approved Labor Certification, they can file the Application for Adjustment of Status immediately.  The combination of the two developments opens great opportunities:

People who have been present in the U.S. for a long time

(a)        If you are legally here (still ¡°in status¡±), your sponsor may apply for a Labor Certification on your behalf, and you may apply for a Green Card, all within a few months.

(b)        If you are here illegally (¡°overstay¡±, ¡°out of status¡±, or entered illegally), but you have eligibility for ¡× 245(i) by way of an old Family Petition or an old Labor Certification filed on or before April 30, 2001, you, too, may benefit from this fast track for a Green Card.

People who are new arrivals:

IF YOU ARRIVED RECENTLY AND YOUR VISITOR¡¯S VISA IS NOT EXPIRED, you may file your application for a Green Card very fast (if there is a potential employer willing to sponsor you for a Labor Certification).

We don¡¯t know for how long the E-3 category will stay ¡°open¡± or ¡°current¡±, but this is good news.  People who are in need of a Green Card and meet the requirements explained above, should consider the new possibilities seriously. 

Our office is happy to provide free consultation.

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