New Vs Old Immigrants

Changes After the 9/11 Attacks. As a result of the September 11 attacks, inspection and visa procedures have been tightened and made more restrictive. All visas and entry documents are being given greater scrutiny.

A person will no longer be able to change to Student Status (F-1) while in the US unless they inform the US Airport/Border Inspector of the possible plan to attend school here. It is probably better for person to apply for a student visa at a US consulate or inform the consul that they might want to go to school so the visit visa can be marked "Potential Student"

Nationals of Islamic and Arabic nations are being especially questioned by US consuls regarding their background and the reasons for coming to or being in the US.

In the past, Border and Airport Inspectors have had discretion to excuse or forgive technical errors in visas or passports. For example, a person who had an H-1B work petition approved, departed from the US then came back without obtaining the correct H-1B visa was generally allowed to enter with a visit visa since it was considered to be a minor problem. Now the Inspectors no longer have this discretion. Applicants for entry with even minor visa problems are being taken into custody and immediately Removed from the US. This includes H-1B, L-1, E, and P status applicants. These business related visas had been given the benefit of the doubt in the past. Not any more. Applicants must be sure to have the exact, correct visa when arriving in the US else they could be on the next plane back home.

DV 2004 application Period was 07 October 2002 to 06 November 2002. The DV 2004 application instructions are on this site but the time to apply has ended.

The Homeland Security Act was enacted into law December 2002. This new law creates the Department of Homeland Security and consolidates many US government agencies and functions relating to security into one agency to be more efficient. The US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has now become the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) in the new Homeland Security Department. Changes in immigration, border, and visa procedures can be expected as part of this major re-organization.

Special Registration Nationals of specified countries must comply with Special Registration rules. The previous requirement to re-register annually has been dropped but those subject to Special Registration must exit the US only at designated ports and must report to a special officer at the airport before leaving. Also, Special Registration requires that information about change of address, employment, or school be reported to BCIS within 10 days. Failure to follow the Special Registration rules can result in severe penalties including criminal prosecution. Up to date information is availabel form the US Consuls or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration