Archive for July, 2010

ICE Releases 5-Year Strategic Plan Including High Priority to Workplace Compliance

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Between fiscal years 2010 and 2014, ICE will prioritize its efforts on the first three homeland security missions identified in the 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Report.

Between fiscal years (FY) 2010 and 2014, ICE will prioritize its efforts on the first three homeland security missions identified in the 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Report: (1) preventing terrorism and enhancing security; (2) securing and managing our borders; and (3) enforcing and administering our immigration laws.

These priorities, along with ICE’s goals, objectives, and strategies, leave room for adjustment during the next five fiscal years. These goals will guide enforcement initiatives, budget requests, budget execution, resource allocations, and policy decisions.

1. Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

ICE seeks to prevent terrorist attacks against the United States and to dismantle threats to homeland security before they materialize. This includes preventing the entry of people and materials that pose a threat to national security; investigating and removing suspected terrorists or their supporters; and preventing the export of weapons and sensitive technologies that could be used to harm the United States, its people, and its allies. Objectives under this heading include: (1.1) prevent terrorist entry into the United States; (1.2) remove individuals posing a security threat; (1.3) support direct investigation of terrorists, and (1.4) protect the United States and its allies through counter-proliferation investigations.

2. Protect the Borders Against Illicit Trade, Travel, and Finance

Transnational criminal and terrorist organizations attempt to exploit lawful movements and transportation systems and to create alternative, illicit pathways through which people and illegal goods – narcotics, funds and weaponry – can cross the border. ICE plays a critical role in the Department’s layered approach to border security. As DHS’s largest investigative agency, ICE responds to investigate criminal activity if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interdicts contraband at the border.

3. Protect the Borders Through Smart and Tough Interior Immigration Enforcement

Protecting and securing the borders involves action overseas, at the border and ports of entry, and inside the United States. ICE will engage in effective enforcement at the border and ports of entry by supporting the apprehension, detention, and removal of newly arriving aliens seeking to enter illegally. Within the United States, ICE will pursue an enhanced worksite enforcement program to reduce the incentive for aliens to come to, enter, and remain unlawfully. Towards this end, ICE will make increasing use of employer I-9 audits, fines and criminal indictments where warranted.

Stewart Rabinowitz is President of Rabinowitz & Rabinowitz, P.C. Mr. Rabinowitz is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. To contact a Dallas immigration lawyer or Dallas immigration attorney visit Rabinowitzrabinowitz.com

U. S. Embassy and Consulates Ease Visa Appointments in China

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

U.S. embassies and consulates liberalize interview appointment policy.

Effective immediately, non-immigrant visa applicants may book interview appointments at any U.S. Consular Section in China, regardless of the province or city where they live. Consular Sections are located at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang.

In 2009, almost half-a-million people received non-immigrant visas in China, more than ever before. The United States government is committed to increasing mutual understanding between the United States and China through people-to-people exchange. The U.S. Department of State is hoping that the elimination of restrictions on where visa applicants can make their applications will promote this exchange by making the application process more convenient.

With the boom of non-immigrant visa applications in U.S. embassies and consulates all over the world, the U.S. Department of State is adopting and transitioning office-by-office to its new online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application recently introduced worldwide. The online application is intended to efficiently collect application information from nonimmigrant visa applicants and to facilitate the visa application process.

Formerly, prior to the streamlining of interview appointment policy which has occurred, appointments for non-immigrant visas had to be made at least 45 days in advance of travel. Even after a visa interview was completed, if special processing/checking, or additional information was required, a background check became a necessary prerequisite, and issuance of nonimmigrant visas were typically delayed.

Stewart Rabinowitz is President of Rabinowitz & Rabinowitz, P.C. Mr. Rabinowitz is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. To contact a Dallas immigration lawyer or Dallas immigration attorney visit Rabinowitzrabinowitz.com

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