EIIC News

Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2014) Entry Status Check starts May 1, 2013

 

The online registration for DV-2014 began October 2, 2012 and concluded on November 3, 2012. Entrants who completed online DV-2014 entries can check the status of their entries by returning to the website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov starting at noon (EDT) on May 1, 2013.

Even if you are not selected on May 1, 2013, you should keep your confirmation number until at least June 30, 2014. The Department of State may select more DV-2014 entries on or around October 1, 2013.

Entry Status Check will be the ONLY means by which DV lottery winners/selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2014. Additionally, Entry Status Check will provide successful selectees with instructions on how to proceed with their application and provide the date and time of the immigrant visa appointment.

The Kentucky Consular Center no longer mails notification letters and does not use email to notify DV entrants of their selection in the DV program. Review the DV Program 2014 Instructions “Selection of Applicants” section, which provides detailed information about the DV process.

If you have been selected for further processing in the Diversity Visa program, after you receive instructions, you will need to demonstrate you are eligible for a diversity immigrant visa by successfully completing the next steps. When requested to do so by the Kentucky Consular Center, you will need to complete an immigrant visa application, submit required documents and forms, pay required fees, complete a medical examination, and then next be interviewed by a consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate to demonstrate you qualify for a diversity visa. Please note that the Kentucky Consular Center will provide application information online ONLY through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website www.dvlottery.state.gov.

It is expected that the next application period for the DV Lottery (DV-2015) will be between October and December this year. Official dates, rules and eligible countries should be announced by late September. For more information, go to the official US State Department website at www.dvlottery.state.gov. You may also contact our office in the early fall for more information and assistance to complete another application. Be aware that the application for the DV lottery is free and you do not need to pay any agency to enter.

Comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 – Today a long awaited comprehensive immigration reform bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The Emerald Isle Immigration Center welcomes the approach taken to fix many of the broken aspects of the current immigration system and urges all of our friends and supporters to act in support of reform, as there will be a long road to travel before this bill gets passed and becomes law. We thank all the members of the U.S. Senate and their staff for getting the process started.

Over the next few weeks as the bill is reviewed, discussed and debated it is important for everyone to contact your Senators and support the bill to ensure that the key components remain intact.

You can submit your own personal testimony by email to info@judiciary-dem.senate.gov

The Senate Judiciary committee will be holding two hearings on the bill on Friday and Monday. The Friday hearing can be viewed here.

At this time it is very important to note that no new law has been passed and immigration reform has not happened yet. No one is currently eligible to apply for any benefits under this bill. Beware of scams that say that there is a new law.

Please log onto our website or EIIC Facebook page for further updates.

 

 

Free Immigration Seminar and Consultations March 27th

Join us for a seminar with EIIC Attorneys and Counselors
to answer all your Immigration questions.

+ Free Immigration Consultations
+ Update on Immigration Reform

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Queens Library @ Broadway
40-20 Broadway, Long Island City, New York 11103

 

 

Immigration and tax updates and free seminars

 

As the immigration reform debate heats up again in Washington a common requirement under all of the current legalization proposals being discussed is the filing and payment of taxes and back taxes by those seeking to regularize their immigration status.  Under current laws, all immigrants residing and working in the United States are generally required to file income taxes. Besides the legal requirement, there are other good reasons to file income tax returns, including eligibility for citizenship and other immigration benefits and potential tax refunds, credits or exemptions.  Tax filing may be used as evidence of physical presence in the United States and it also demonstrates good moral character and compliance with existing laws. Each will most likely also be a requirement towards a path to citizenship under new immigration legislation.

Most undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States are required to file an income tax return to report their U.S. earnings. For the most recent 2012 tax year, a single individual under 65 with no dependents must generally file a tax return if his or her income was above $9,750 on their W-2 form(s) as a regular employee. Individuals who are independent contractors, including those who are self-employed and receive a 1099 form or whose employer does not report their income to the IRS, are required to file a tax return if they earned more than $400 last year. Those who do file a tax return may be eligible for a tax refund if taxes have already been deducted from their salary, may be eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit or exemptions for dependents.

To file a tax return, individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security number must apply for and use an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued to people who are not authorized to work in the United States but need to report income. An ITIN is used only for record keeping purposes and for filing taxes. One must complete a W-7 form and file it with their tax return to get an ITIN for the first time. Afterwards, the ITIN may be used to file future returns and also for opening a bank account, taking out a mortgage or for other financial transactions. The IRS recently changed the process and requirements to obtain an ITIN. Applicants must now present original identification documents to apply and the ITIN must be renewed every five years. More information on the ITIN is available on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Individual-Taxpayer-Identification-Number-(ITIN).

The IRS does not currently share any information from taxpayers with other government agencies due to privacy provisions in the tax laws. It is also not in the IRS’s tax collection interest to disclose any information to the immigration authorities, since it will discourage those who are undocumented from filing tax returns.

“In preparation for any future legalization program it is in everyone’s best interest to be filing their taxes and reporting their income to show how long they have been living here and that they are supporting themselves and their family while paying their fair share,” according to John A. Stahl, Esq., Director of Immigration Legal Services at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

Lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, must also demonstrate that they have complied with the tax laws to apply for US citizenship and to maintain their permanent resident status. To become an American citizen, they will have to show evidence that they have filed taxes during the five years prior to their application for naturalization or proof that they were not required to file a tax return. Failure to file a required tax return may be considered an act of bad moral character which is a temporary bar to attaining U.S. citizenship.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a legal resident who makes a false statement on a tax return could not only face tax charges but also automatic deportation. The Court found that a criminal tax violation involving fraud or deceit against the government for more than $10,000 is considered an “aggravated felony” under immigration law. An “aggravated felony” under immigration law  makes a legal permanent resident deportable. This ruling sends a warning to legal immigrants, especially small business owners. For instance, legal immigrants could be deported for failing to report foreign bank accounts as required by the IRS.

NOTE: THE EIIC WILL BE HOSTING FREE PUBLIC INFORMATION SEMINARS AT OUR WOODSIDE AND WOODLAWN OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th  AND THURSDAY, MARCH 14th , RESPECTIVELY, FROM 6-8pm.

OUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, IMMIGRATION COUNSELOR AND PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS WILL BE ATTENDING TO PROVIDE UPDATES AND INFORMATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON GENERAL IMMIGRATION AND TAXES.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CALL THE WOODLAWN OFFICE AT 718-324-3039 OR THE WOODSIDE OFFICE AT 718-478-5502.