Archive for September, 2008

Those who can, teach!

Monday, September 15th, 2008

An article in today’s Washington Post highlights a new emerging trend in immigration — foreign professionals with degrees in math, science, and special education are turning to teaching as a way to work legally in the US.  These highly educated teachers fill a much needed employment gap caused by retiring teachers.  Because many school districts have affiliations with colleges and universities and are non-profits, potential teachers are able to obtain cap-exempt H-1b visas to work provided they meet state licensing requirements for teachers. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091400020.html

Posted by:  Katie Jacob, Esq.

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Posted in H-1(b) News | 1 Comment »

Natz is now faster, but not fast enough for some eager voters.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

A press release from DHS on 9/9/2008 reveals that due to an increase in funding from Congress, USCIS and the FBI can process name checks in a “timely manner.”  USCIS has since adjusted their national average processing time from 16-18 months to 10-12 months.  While most cases are processed in about 6 months, the national average takes into account a small percentage of cases that have been pending for years.  

 So where are the best and worst places to file? (Based on 2007 Average Cycle Times)

BEST:  Manchester NH, New York NY, and Guam have an average of 3-3.5 months processing time.

WORST:  New Orleans LA with an average of 18 months processing for their 3,000 cases.

HONORABLE MENTION:  Los Angeles CA processes its docket of over 56,000 pending Natz cases (more than double any other USCIS office) with an average cycle time of 6 months. 

 If you have a pending case or are considering filing for citizenship, check out the attached cycle times for an idea of how long before you can vote!

 – Katie Jacob, Esq.

Posted in USCIS | 2 Comments »