The 144 citizenship candidates originate from the following 52 countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kosovo, Liberia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Serbia, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, The Gambia, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen. Of those naturalizing, two are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year, USCIS will welcome more than 10,000 new citizens in nearly 130 naturalization ceremonies between Nov. 7 and 13. Of those being naturalized, more than 250 are veterans, service members and military spouses. USCIS is asking new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience and photos at their ceremonies via Twitter using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

WHO:
USCIS New York District Director Phyllis Coven

WHEN:

Friday, November 13, 9 a.m. (media will be escorted in starting at 8:30 a.m.)
WHERE:
USCIS NY District Office
26 Federal Plaza (please use the entrance on Duane Street between Broadway and Lafayette)

CONTACT:
Katie Tichacek, USCIS Public Affairs Officer, 212-264-5098, 202-420-9581 (cell) katherine.tichacek@uscis.dhs.gov

NOTE:
Media interested in participating, please RSVP to Katie Tichacek (contact info above) no later than 9:00 am EST on November 13.

– USCIS –

News Release Nov. 9, 2015

USCIS Will Host Naturalization Ceremonies to Honor Veterans and their Families

WASHINGTON—Veterans, service members and military spouses across the country will become U.S. citizens this week as they take the Oath of Allegiance at special Veterans Day naturalization ceremonies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will highlight the sacrifices that military members and their families have made while serving our country. From Nov. 7-13, USCIS will welcome more than 10,000 new citizens in nearly 130 naturalization ceremonies across the country and around the world. Of those being naturalized, more than 255 are veterans, service members and military spouses.

Many current and former military members and their families are eligible for citizenship, including expedited screening and overseas processing, under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Since Oct. 1, 2001, when data collection on military naturalizations began, more than 109,000 service members have become U.S. citizens, including individuals serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Germany, Japan and elsewhere. In 2015 alone, USCIS hosted nearly 175 naturalization ceremonies at military installations in the U.S. and abroad.

“On Veterans Day, we salute the men and women who have so courageously served our country and defended the freedoms that it was built upon. Among our brave veterans are thousands of immigrants, many of whom vowed to defend their new home even before they were citizens,” USCIS Director León Rodríguez said. “It is because of their extraordinary sacrifices, and those of their families, that we can enjoy the rights and liberties of living in this great country.”

USCIS has a robust military outreach program that provides information about immigration and naturalization to service members and veterans at military installations, Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, universities and various military organizations. USCIS also has offices on multiple military installations, including Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. These offices identify recruits who may be eligible for naturalization.

USCIS’ Veterans Day activities this year will feature a naturalization ceremony at the USS Torsk and USS Constellation, located at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, on Nov. 11. During this event, Dan Renaud, USCIS associate director for the Field Operations Directorate, will administer the Oath of Allegiance, and Sgt. Maj. Mercy A. Diez of the U.S. Army Band will be recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice.

Other ceremonies include events at:
· American Heroes Air Show in Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 7.
· Cullman Performance Hall of Tryon Palace in New Bern, North Carolina, on Nov. 11.
· Joint Base Lewis McChord in Seattle, Washington, on Nov. 13.

In addition, 12 recruits will become new citizens at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, through the Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative. Developed with the Department of Defense, this program allows enlisted service members to complete the naturalization process during basic training.

USCIS invites new citizens, and their families and friends, to share their experiences from the ceremonies through Twitter and other social media using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

– USCIS –

The post USCIS to Welcome 144 New Citizens… appeared first on Good News!.

NEW YORK — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) New York District Director Phyllis Coven will administer the Oath of Allegiance to America’s newest citizens during a special naturalization ceremony at the New York Public Library on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 11:00 am. Keynote speaker Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for the City of New York will offer congratulatory remarks.

Welcoming the citizenship candidates will be Dr. Tony Marx, President of The New York Public Library. USCIS Deputy Chief of Staff James McCament will sing the National Anthem and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The 75 citizenship candidates originate from the following 27 countries: Albania, Australia, Bangladesh Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cote D’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Montserrat, Pakistan, Senegal, St. Kitts-Nevis, Togo, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.

This ceremony is part of USCIS’ annual Independence Day celebration. This year, USCIS celebrates our nation’s 239th birthday by welcoming more than 4,000 new U.S. citizens in more than 50 naturalization ceremonies across the country from July 1 through July 4.

USCIS is asking new citizens and their families and friends to share their experience and photos from their ceremonies via social media using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon

WHO:
Phyllis Coven, USCIS District Director New York
James McCament, USCIS Deputy Chief of Staff
Dr. Tony Marx, President of The New York Public Library
Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
WHEN:

Thursday, July 2, 11 a.m.
WHERE:
New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Celeste Bartos Forum
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY

CONTACT:
Katie Tichacek, USCIS Public Affairs Officer, 212-264-5098, 202-420-9581(cell) katherine.tichacek@uscis.dhs.gov

NOTE:
Media interested in participating, please RSVP to Katie Tichacek (contact info above) no later than 10:00 am EST on July 2

– USCIS –

Office of Communications

USCIS Welcoming 4,000 New Citizens July 1-4 to Celebrate Independence Day
Libraries and Landmarks Are Among Sites for Special Naturalization Ceremonies

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate the nation’s 239th birthday by welcoming more than 4,000 new U.S. citizens at over 50 naturalization ceremonies across the country July 1-4.

“As we celebrate Independence Day, we welcome over 4,000 new Americans who will be able to enjoy all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship,” said USCIS Director León Rodríguez. “From Los Angeles to New York, Miami to Seattle, Indianapolis to Los Alamos, these individuals are showing their full commitment to the freedoms, values and ideals that have inspired Americans since the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”

Citizenship candidates will take the Oath of Allegiance at locations including the New York Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, Seattle Center, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the Tower Theater in Miami. This year’s celebration also will feature ceremonies at historic sites such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia; Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia; and the USS Midway in San Diego, California.

To view a list of 2015 Independence Day naturalization ceremonies, visit uscis.gov/news.

USCIS encourages new citizens and their families and friends to share their ceremony experiences and photos afterward on Twitter and other social media, using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

– USCIS –

The post USCIS to Welcome 75 New Citizens During July 2 Ceremony in Honor of Independence Day appeared first on Good News!.

“USCIS is proud to collaborate with Mayor de Blasio and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs in a meaningful community partnership to help permanent residents learn more about citizenship and the naturalization process,” said USCIS Director Léon Rodríguez. “The Statue of Liberty is one of our nation’s greatest symbols of welcome, while the public libraries are the city’s most welcoming resources. Now more than ever, New Yorkers can begin their journey to U.S. citizenship at their local libraries. It is fitting that we sign this agreement with the city so close to Ellis Island, and with its own rich history as a beacon for new Americans.”

New York City and the New York public library systems have supported immigrants for many years; however, this initiative formally establishes “New Americans Corners” in all branches of the Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library systems. These libraries will support permanent residents by offering citizenship and English as a Second Language classes, along with tools and resources to help them prepare for the naturalization interview and test.

“These new, creative partnerships will spread our message far and wide that the City is on the side of new Americans, and we are ready to help immigrants who are eligible to achieve U.S. citizenship,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We know that citizenship opens up opportunities – opportunities to vote, to get a better job, to feel more like a part of the community – and we want to support our immigrant friends and neighbors however we can.”

As the largest city in the United States, New York is home to immigrants from more than 190 countries. Since 2004, more than 1.1 million permanent residents have become U.S. citizens in the New York City metropolitan area.

USCIS and the City of New York also plan to:

Provide citizenship information through the City of New York and public library websites;
Expand community partnerships to hold naturalization information sessions throughout the City of New York;
Offer training on the naturalization process to library staff members; and
Raise public awareness of immigration services scams.

New York is USCIS’ fifth municipal partner, joining Los Angeles, Chicago, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and Atlanta.

For more information about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov. Follow us on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

– USCIS –

Comunicado de Prensa
10 de junio de 2015

USCIS y la Ciudad de Nueva York Amplían los Esfuerzos de Integración y Apoyo para Aspirantes a la Ciudadanía Estadounidense

NEW YORK— El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) y la Oficina del Alcalde de la Ciudad de Nueva York han unido esfuerzos para fortalecer esfuerzos relacionados a la educación y concienciación sobre la ciudadanía en la ciudad. El nuevo esfuerzo de colaboración comenzó hoy como parte de la firma de una Carta de Acuerdo de Colaboración entre el Director de USCIS, León Rodríguez y el Alcalde de Nueva York, Bill de Blasio. EL acuerdo permanecerá en vigor hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2018.

“USCIS se enorgullece en colaborar con el Alcalde de Blasio y con la Oficina de Asuntos del Inmigrante de la Alcaldía en una significativa asociación comunitaria para ayudar a los residentes permanentes a aprender más acerca de la ciudadanía y el proceso de naturalización “, dijo el director de USCIS Léon Rodríguez. “La Estatua de la Libertad es uno de los mayores símbolos de bienvenida de nuestra nación, mientras que las bibliotecas públicas son los recursos de acogida más importantes de la ciudad. Ahora más que nunca, los residentes permanentes legales residentes en New York pueden comenzar su viaje a la ciudadanía estadounidense en sus bibliotecas locales. Es apropiado que firmemos este convenio con la ciudad muy cerca de la Isla Ellis, lugar con su propia y rica historia como faro de esperanza para los nuevos americanos.

La Ciudad de Nueva York, el Sistema de Bibliotecas de la Ciudad de Nueva York, y otras agencias de la Ciudad han apoyado a los inmigrantes por muchos años. Sin embargo, esta nueva iniciativa establece formalmente las “Esquinas para Nuevos Americanos” en todas las facilidades de los sistemas de Biblioteca Pública de Brooklyn, Biblioteca Pública de New York City y Biblioteca Pública de Queens. Estas bibliotecas brindarán apoyo a los residentes permanentes por medio de clases sobre ciudadanía e Inglés como Segundo Idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés), además de ofrecer herramientas y recursos para ayudarles a a prepararse para la entrevista y examen de naturalización.

“Estos nuevos y creativos acuerdos de colaboración darán a conocer nuestro mensaje por todos lugares de que la Ciudad está del lado de los nuevos americanos, y que estamos preparados para ayudar a los inmigrantes que son elegibles a la ciudadanía estadounidense”, dijo el Alcalde De Blasio. “Sabemos que la ciudadanía abre nuevas oportunidades – oportunidades al voto, a un mejor trabajo, a sentirse parte de la comunidad- y queremos apoyar a nuestros amigos y vecinos inmigrantes de cualquier manera que podamos”.

La ciudad más grande en los Estados Unidos, Nueva York es hogar de inmigrantes provenientes de más de 190 países. Desde el 2004, más de 1.1 millones de residentes permanentes se han convertido en ciudadanos estadounidenses en el área metropolitana de Nueva York.

USCIS y la Ciudad de Nueva York también tiene planificado:

Proveer información a través de la Ciudad de Nueva York y los sitios web de las bibliotecas públicas
Ampliar los acuerdos de colaboración en la comunidad para ofrecer sesiones informativas de naturalización a través de toda la Ciudad de Nueva York
Ofrecer entrenamiento sobre el proceso de naturalización a miembros del personal de las bibliotecas públicas Y
Aumentar la concienciación entre el público acerca de las estafas de inmigración.

Nueva York es la quita ciudad en formar acuerdos de colaboración con USCIS, uniéndose a Los Ángeles, Chicago, el Gobierno Metropolitano de Nashville y el Condado de Davidson en Atlanta.

Para más información acerca de USCIS y sus programas, visite www.uscis.gov/es o síganos en Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) y el blog en español de Compás.

The post USCIS and the City of New York Expand Immigrant Integration Efforts and Support for Aspiring U.S. Citizens appeared first on Good News!.

NEW YORK — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Deputy Director Lori L. Scialabba will administer the Oath of Allegiance to America’s newest citizens, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Director & CEO Thomas P. Campbell, during a special naturalization ceremony at the Museum on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

USCIS New York District Director Phyllis Coven will open the ceremony followed by the National Anthem performed by the Gospel for Teens Choir and welcoming remarks from New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca. USCIS Deputy Director Scialabba will provide congratulatory remarks. Mr. Campbell will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and deliver the keynote address to the new citizens and guests.

The 75 citizenship candidates originate from the following 42 countries: Albania (2), Antigua-Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil (3), Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, People’s Republic of China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic (13), Ecuador (2), France (4), Germany, Ghana (2), Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, India (3), Ireland, Israel (2), Italy, Jamaica (4), Kosovo (2), Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco(2), Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, South Korea, St. Kitts-Nevis, Taiwan, Turkey (3), United Kingdom (3), Uruguay (2), and Yemen.

USCIS encourages new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtag #newUScitizen on Twitter.

During the last decade, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed more than 6.6 million naturalized citizens. For more information about USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis or @USCISMediaVT), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

WHO: Lori L. Scialabba, USCIS Deputy Director
Phyllis Coven, USCIS District Director New York
Carlos Menchaca, New York City Council Member
Thomas P. Campbell, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Director and CEO (citizenship candidate)
75 Citizenship Candidates

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22, 2014, 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, NY, NY 10028-0198

The post USCIS to Naturalize 75 New Citizens at The Metropolitan Museum of Art appeared first on Good News!.

The Open House is open to media.

WHEN:           Tuesday, April 29th, 1-3 pm EST

WHERE:         26 Federal Plaza, Lower Manhattan (please use the entrance on Duane Street between Broadway and Lafayette)

CONTACT:     Katie Tichacek, USCIS  Public Affairs Officer, 212-264-5098, 202-420-9581(cell) katherine.tichacek@uscis.dhs.gov

The post Phyllis Coven, USCIS to Host Open House at NYC Office appeared first on Good News!.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, which will provide up to $10 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is a competitive grant opportunity for public or non-profit organizations, which promotes immigrant civic integration and prepares permanent residents for citizenship. Applications are due by May 16.

Through the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, USCIS seeks to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services by providing grants to organizations that offer both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to permanent residents. USCIS expects to announce up to 40 grant recipients in September.

Since 2009, USCIS has awarded approximately $33 million through 182 grants to immigrant-serving organizations that have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 78,000 permanent residents in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

To apply for this funding opportunity, visit www.grants.gov. USCIS encourages applicants to visit www.grants.gov as early as possible to obtain the registration information needed to complete the application process.

For additional information on the FY 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants or contact the USCIS Office of Citizenship by email at citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov.

For more information about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov. Follow us on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

The post USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunity appeared first on Good News!.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.  Good News speaks to Christopher S. Bentley, Press Secretary
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security about EB-5.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor
Visa Description
USCIS administers the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as “EB-5,” created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under a pilot immigration program first enacted in 1992 and regularly reauthorized since, certain EB-5 visas also are set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.
All EB-5 investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise, which is a commercial enterprise:
•    Established after Nov. 29, 1990, or
•    Established on or before Nov. 29, 1990, that is:
1. Purchased and the existing business is restructured or reorganized in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results, or
2. Expanded through the investment so that a 40-percent increase in the net worth or number of employees occurs
Commercial enterprise means any for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of lawful business including, but not limited to:
•    A sole proprietorship
•    Partnership (whether limited or general)
•    Holding company
•    Joint venture
•    Corporation
•    Business trust or other entity, which may be publicly or privately owned
This definition includes a commercial enterprise consisting of a holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, provided that each such subsidiary is engaged in a for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business.
Note: This definition does not include noncommercial activity such as owning and operating a personal residence.
Job Creation Requirements
•    Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within two years (or under certain circumstances, within a reasonable time after the two-year period) of the immigrant investor’s admission to the United States as a Conditional Permanent Resident.
•    Create or preserve either direct or indirect jobs:
o    Direct jobs are actual identifiable jobs for qualified employees located within the commercial enterprise into which the EB-5 investor has directly invested his or her capital.
o    Indirect jobs are those jobs shown to have been created collaterally or as a result of capital invested in a commercial enterprise affiliated with a regional center by an EB-5 investor. A foreign investor may only use the indirect job calculation if affiliated with a regional center.
Note: Investors may only be credited with preserving jobs in a troubled business.
A troubled business is an enterprise that has been in existence for at least two years and has incurred a net loss during the 12- or 24-month period prior to the priority date on the immigrant investor’s Form I-526. The loss for this period must be at least 20 percent of the troubled business’ net worth prior to the loss. For purposes of determining whether the troubled business has been in existence for two years, successors in interest to the troubled business will be deemed to have been in existence for the same period of time as the business they succeeded.
A qualified employee is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other immigrant authorized to work in the United States. The individual may be a conditional resident, an asylee, a refugee, or a person residing in the United States under suspension of deportation. This definition does not include the immigrant investor; his or her spouse, sons, or daughters; or any foreign national in any nonimmigrant status (such as an H-1B visa holder) or who is not authorized to work in the United States.
Full-time employment means employment of a qualifying employee by the new commercial enterprise in a position that requires a minimum of 35 working hours per week. In the case of the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, “full-time employment” also means employment of a qualifying employee in a position that has been created indirectly from investments associated with the Pilot Program.
A job-sharing arrangement whereby two or more qualifying employees share a full-time position will count as full-time employment provided the hourly requirement per week is met. This definition does not include combinations of part-time positions or full-time equivalents even if, when combined, the positions meet the hourly requirement per week. The position must be permanent, full-time and constant. The two qualified employees sharing the job must be permanent and share the associated benefits normally related to any permanent, full-time position, including payment of both workman’s compensation and unemployment premiums for the position by the employer.
Capital Investment Requirements
Capital means cash, equipment, inventory, other tangible property, cash equivalents and indebtedness secured by assets owned by the alien entrepreneur, provided that the alien entrepreneur is personally and primarily liable and that the assets of the new commercial enterprise upon which the petition is based are not used to secure any of the indebtedness. All capital shall be valued at fair-market value in United States dollars. Assets acquired, directly or indirectly, by unlawful means (such as criminal activities) shall not be considered capital for the purposes of section 203(b)(5) of the Act.
Note: Investment capital cannot be borrowed.
Required minimum investments are:
•    General. The minimum qualifying investment in the United States is $1 million.
•    Targeted Employment Area (High Unemployment or Rural Area). The minimum qualifying investment either within a high-unemployment area or rural area in the United States is $500,000.
A targeted employment area is an area that, at the time of investment, is a rural area or an area experiencing unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average rate.
A rural area is any area outside a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Office of Management and Budget) or outside the boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more according to the decennial census.

The post Good News speaks to Christopher S. Bentley, Press Secretary U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security about EB-5. appeared first on Good News!.

The post Snow, Love and Citizenship in Brooklyn appeared first on Good News!.