Curran & Berger LLP

The online registration for DV-2012 DV Lottery began at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4), Tuesday, October 5, 2010, and ends at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4), Wednesday, November 3, 2010. The Department of State strongly encourages applicants not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, because heavy demand may result in online delays and missing the deadline.

For DV 2012, entrant notification will be through the Entry Status Check at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. Entrants selected will receive further instructions in the mail, including information on frees connected with immigration to the U.S. The "Selection of Applicants" section in the intructions proides information about the DV timeframe and process.

The Department notes that there have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. The Department of State notifies successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter, and NOT by e-mail. To learn more see the Department of State Warning and the Federal Trade Commission Warning.

For more information regarding this announcement please click here. Instructions are available here. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is adjusting the fee schedule for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS conducted a comprehensive fee study, refined its cost accounting process, and determined that current fees do not recover the full costs of services provided. DHS has found that adjustment to the fee schedule is necessary to fully recover costs and maintain adequate service.

The new fees will go into effect on November 23, 2010.

For more information please see the USCIS press release and  the new fee schedule here.

On September 14, over 5,000 immigrants were sworn in as citizens in Boston, MA. The ceremony was held at Fenway Stadium, where families gathered to celebrate the naturalization of 5,188 new citizens from 151 different countries. Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security secretary, who presided over the event, said it was one of the largest naturalization ceremonies in US history and the largest in Massachusetts.

To our clients who were sworn in as citizens this Tuesday, Congratulations!