TSRI International Office

Alerts & Immigration News

Up to the Minute Immigration News

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2011 DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery)

The Official Announcement of the 2001 Diversity Lottery for green card has been posted in the Federal Register:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24077.pdf

Each year, the State Department conducts a Diversity Visa Lottery
("green card lottery").  Individuals selected in the lottery are
eligible to submit an application for permanent residence.  Foreign
nationals enter the lottery by completing an online application at
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov, the State Department's official lottery
website.  Applications must be submitted during the designated
application period in the fall.  There is no fee for the application.
After the application period closes, the State Department conducts a
lottery to randomly select the individuals who will be able to file a
green card application for the following fiscal year.  The State
Department notifies lottery winners between May and July following the fall application period.  Winners are notified directly by U.S. mail
from the State Department's Kentucky Consular Center.  Applicants can also check the status of their lottery entry at the official lottery
website.

Foreign nationals should be aware that the State Department does not use or authorize any outside individual or entity to accept lottery
applications or operate the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
Unfortunately, fraud in connection with the lottery is common.
Unscrupulous individuals set up fraudulent websites that pose as
official government sites or that purport to be authorized by the State
Department to accept lottery applications, sometimes for very high fees. These individuals may also send e-mails, faxes or letters to foreign nationals, falsely claiming that the recipient has been selected in the lottery and requesting the recipient to send personal information and money.

Foreign nationals who have entered or plan to enter the lottery should
take precautions to avoid becoming the victims of fraud.  Though
applicants may seek legal counsel or other assistance in preparing their applications, they should be wary of commercial websites that purport to register applicants in advance of the official lottery period or any individual or entity that claims to be authorized by the State
Department.  Foreign nationals should also be wary of any communication that is not sent directly from the State Department or that looks suspect in any way.  No fees or personal information should be sent to a questionable individual or entity. See
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt003.shtm for detailed information on Diversity Visa Lottery fraud from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

USCIS Creates Page for 2010 H-1B Petition Season

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created a page on their website to provide updates on the 2010 H-1B filing season which began on April 1, 2009. For the latest updates, click here.

Travel Alert to Mexico

The Department of State has issued this Travel Alert to update security information for U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico.  It supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated February 20, 2009, and expires on February 20, 2010.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased.  It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one becomes a crime victim.  Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacán and Chihuahua (see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution.  Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view to be a threat to their organization, regardless of the individuals’ citizenship.  These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua in July, 2009.

Please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html for more information.

ESTA for Visa Waiver Program

Effective January 12, 2009, citizens or nationals from ALL Visa Waiver Program countries will be required to obtain an approved travel authorization via ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) in order to be eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. In order to apply for an ESTA, travelers must go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/, follow the instructions to answer all of the required questions, and submit an application for travel authorization. Travelers will not be able to submit ESTA applications at a U.S. port of entry or a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding TN Visa

The USCIS has announced an increased period of stay for trade NAFTA professional workers from Canada or Mexico. More information can be found at this link.