Curran & Berger LLP

The USCIS reminds nationals of El Salvador (and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in El Salvador), who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), to file their re-registration applications for TPS before the end of the re-registration period on Sept. 7, 2010.

The 18-month extension of TPS for El Salvador will remain in effect through March 9, 2012.  Individuals who have received TPS previously must re-register for the 18-month extension during the re-registration period. Failure to file a TPS re-registration application during the re-registration period, without good cause, will result in withdrawal of TPS benefits, including employment authorization and protection from removal from the United States.

To re-register, all TPS beneficiaries must file both the Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form I-821, and the Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, with the correct fees or a properly documented fee waiver request.  If the TPS re-registrant is not seeking employment authorization or an extension of his/her current employment authorization, the Form I-765 fee is not required, but the re-registrant must still file Form I-765 for data-gathering purposes.  All TPS re-registrants age 14 and older must submit the biometric fee. Applicants who are able to demonstrate an inability to pay may request a fee waiver for the TPS application, biometric services or employment authorization, or all three fees combined. Failure to submit the required application and biometric fees or a properly documented fee waiver request will result in the rejection of the re-registration application.

For more information and links to forms, please click here.

The Department of State has released the latest visa bulletin for September 2010.

Please visit the Department of State website for more details.

On August 2, 2010, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of new web features designed to expand users’ access to their case information. As part of USCIS’s commitment to improve customer service, these enhancements include a new online inquiry tool and tailored case status information, as well as new features for Spanish-speaking customers available at USCIS.gov/espanol.

"We are committed to improving access to case status information and enhancing customer service through these innovative online features," said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas.  "Expanding services to our Spanish-speaking customers is in response to public feedback and our desire to meet the needs of those we serve."

Customers will now be able to submit an electronic inquiry directly to a USCIS Field Office or Service Center to request case status information if their Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) or Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) is outside the posted processing times. This electronic inquiry system should reduce the need for customers to make InfoPass appointments to speak with USCIS representatives in person. Additionally, once the electronic inquiry is received, USCIS now commits to a 15-day customer response, reduced from the previous commitment to respond within 30 days. 

Customers can now elect to receive e-mail updates about their case status in Spanish. They may also change their address online in Spanish. These expanded online options will enable USCIS to better interact with the Spanish-speaking segment of the public that it serves.

For more information please see the press release here.

You can check you case status online and see the new features here.