Immigration News
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.
Press Release: Tánaiste Welcomes US Immigration Legislation As Good News for Irish in the US
Tánaiste Welcomes US Immigration Legislation As Good News for Irish in the US
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D. , has welcomed the publication of a draft Bill for reform of the US immigration system.
The legislation – which was drafted over several months by a bi-partisan group of eight US Senators – includes provisions that would help resolve the plight of thousands of undocumented Irish people who are living illegally in the US.
It also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US.
Welcoming the draft legislation, the Tánaiste said:“This Bill is a very positive development which, if adopted, would help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland.
The inclusion of a new provision to allow several thousand Irish citizens to legally avail of employment opportunities in the US every year is also particularly welcome.
Both of these issues have been a key focus of my ongoing engagement with political leaders in the US, particularly during my visit to Washington D.C. over St. Patrick’s Day when I discussed them with Ireland’s key friends on Capitol Hill and in the Administration.
I am conscious that the overall issues involved are complex and sensitive ones within the US political system and that much further debate is likely to be required before the final shape of any overall legislation becomes clear.
I would like at this stage to express on behalf of the Government our deepest appreciation to the bi-partisan group of US Senators who have spearheaded this historic initiative. The Government will continue to liaise closely with them and other key stakeholders in Congress and throughout the Irish-American community.
This draft Senate Bill is another significant step towards an ultimate outcome that has been long-sought by generations of Irish migrants to the US and their families”.
Press Office
17 April 2013
Press Office | Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Iveagh House, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
press.office@dfa.ie | (01) 408 2275 / 2276 / 087-7788835 | www.dfa.ie
USCIS Reaches FY 2014 H-1B Cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2014. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption. After today, USCIS will not accept H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2014 cap or the advanced degree exemption.
USCIS will use a computer-generated random selection process (commonly known as the “lottery”) for all FY 2014 cap-subject petitions received through April 5, 2013. The agency will conduct the selection process for advanced degree exemption petitions first. All advanced degree petitions not selected will be part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit. Due to the high number of petitions received, USCIS is not yet able to announce the exact day of the random selection process. Also, USCIS is currently not providing the total number of petitions received, as we continue to accept filings today. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. USCIS will provide more detailed information about the H-1B cap next week.
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
