[October 15, 2004]

…            that a resolution against warehousing of refugees will be introduced at the Senate. The resolution denounces the practice as a denial of basic human rights and squandering of human potential. It directs the State Department to pursue assistance models for refugee assistance, compatible with refugees enjoying their rights and encourages donor countries, host countries and the UNHCR to shift the incentive structure of assistance to encourage refugees’ enjoyment of human rights?

…            that the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), in an unpublished decision, found that convictions of aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) in Arizona did not constitute crimes involving moral turpitude?

…            that the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will be expanding the biometric exit pilot program as required by U.S?

 …           that currently, the exit pilot program is being run at two ports of entry only: Baltimore-Washington and Miami. By the end of August 2004, DHS announced that the program will expand to Chicago and the airports.

 …           that the exit pilot program consists of foreign visitors checking out at either automated kiosks or with a US-VISIT exit attendant at the departure gate? At the kiosk, the visitor will be asked to scan his/her travel document, scan his/her fingers and picture digitally and receive a receipt to verify the procedure. Practically speaking: the Immigration Service will know if and when a person came and/or left. Until now, there were no accurate records of departure. Only I-94 cards were issued in the past and they were not maintained in an accurate manner. sea ports?

…            that as of September 30, 2004, visa waiver travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (those from countries that can enter as tourists for 90 days without obtaining a visa) will be required to comply with entry and exit requirements when traveling through air and

…            that visa waivers were exempt until now?

…            that fingerprints will be collected and digital photography will be taken together with information?

…            that the Immigration Service announced that as of August 18, 2004, it has received 45,900 H-1B petitions that will count against the Congressionally-mandated cap of fiscal year 2005 (October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005)? The limit in fiscal year 2005 is 65,000.