The US Green Card Lottery

Major DV-2013 Lottery entry form blunder or bug ?

Green Card — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:39:55 +0000

This is the time of year where approximately 15-17 million hopeful applicants from all around the world are entering the US DV-21013 Diversity Visa Lottery that yearly grants 50,000 green cards to persons from “underrepresented countries,“ which have been less represented in employment and family-based preference categories in the United States of America and who meet two basic eligibility requirements. The Program makes green cards available to the winners, authorizing the winners and their families to live, study and work in the United States of America as permanent residents. The Green Card Lottery program is a United States congressionally-mandated lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card. The US Department of State has in effect the DV-2013 lottery from October 4, 2011 at noon US East coast time to November 5, 2011 at noon US East coast time.
Glaring Entry form Blunder
One would think that an electronic entry form that is to process 15-17 million applicants in a little more than 4 weeks would have been tested appropriately before being uploaded to the Department of States web site for applicant to submit their information through. We did some basic testing of the form and found, that if you register and you have 2 or more children, the form will not allow you to enter the middle name of child two and higher. You are only allowed to check the box “No Middle name”, thus, forcing applicants to submit incorrect information that unfortunately will come back to haunt them if they win. When these applicants win a green card and submit their formal application, there will obviously be a discrepancy between the formal application and the application that was selected in the lottery regarding any child labeled as child 2 or higher. Knowing how immigration authorities go by the book 100% of the time, this could lead to applicants being rejected for submitting incorrect information in their lottery application and in worst cases lead to their DV-2013 lottery application being denied. We felt that we had to publish this glaring programming bug, so that the applicants being forced to enter incorrect information on the Department of States homepage do not get held accountable for a web form programmers glaring mistake.

3 weeks left to enter the U.S. Green Card Lottery

Green Card — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:15:37 +0000

The American Green Card Lottery
For many people wishing to achieve the dream of living in America, the Green Card Lottery program offers the only chance for hope. Today could be the day where everything will change for the better in your life. Take the first step and apply for the green card lottery today before it is to late and you could soon start living the American dream in the United States of America with a green card that entitles you and your family to live, work and study in the United States of America as permanent residents.

The Registration Deadline is Approaching fast
Do not miss this once in a life time chance to drastically change you life. Apply for the green card lottery today before it is too late, if you miss the deadline you will have to wait another year before you can enter the next green card lottery.

The official submission period is 30 days shorter this year
It begins on October 5th, 2010 and ends on November 3rd, 2010. That presents an increased pressure on all applicants to register immediately, so that their application can be reviewed and submitted on time and not be exposed to the risk of server overloads and not having your application processed, if you wait till the end of the submission period to complete your application. We urge you to complete your application today, so that it can be reviewed and processed immediately, Register at www.USADiversityLottery.com.

How to apply for the 2010 Green Card Lottery
You apply on line at www.USADiversityLottery.com. The application process takes around 15 minutes to complete and requires that the applicant complete all the biographical information such as name, dates of birth, country of origin/birth, etc. Also, the applicant must provide or upload an electronic/digital photograph to be included with the application for each individual on the application.
Each applicant can include the names of immediate family members which are limited to a spouse and all biological or legally adopted children under the age of 21.
Enter the Green Card Lottery Today!

USCIS To Issue Redesigned Permanent Resident Card

Green Card — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:53:49 +0000

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as the “Green Card” to incorporate several major new security features. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.
Read full story at U.S. Immigration News.

The Military Members Guide to Citizenship Application

Green Card — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:40:24 +0000

Read this guide in its entirety. Reading and understanding this guide is the first step in the naturalization process for military members and their spouses. Some naturalization requirements are difficult to understand and many people have questions about naturalization. If you read this guide before beginning the naturalization process, many of your questions will be answered. An understanding of this guide will prepare you for application, and better-prepared applications will result in faster processing times. It is the member’s responsibility to enter the naturalization process fully informed and ready to provide the necessary information and documents.

Complete the Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet. This only applies to members who are applying based on five years as a Legal Permanent Resident (See section titled “Completing Your Application and Getting Photographed”). Complete the eligibility worksheet available at your ACS Customer Service Section to decide if you are eligible to apply for naturalization. If you do not meet all the requirements, you may save both time and money by waiting until you are eligible to apply. If you complete the eligibility worksheet and have questions about your eligibility, you should seek advice by:

1.Going to an INS information counter
2.Contacting a community immigrant assistance organization, or
3.Talking to an immigration attorney.

Obtain an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400)
Once you have completed the eligibility worksheet and believe you are eligible for naturalization, you should obtain an application. The application is called the “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400). You may obtain an N-400 at your ACS Customer Service Section, by calling the INS Forms Line (1-800-870-3676) or by downloading it from the internet
Read full Guide at Military Members Guide to Citizenship Application

Streamlined Citizenship Process for Military Members

Green Card — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:11:37 +0000

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the publication of a rule formalizing DHS’ longstanding policy to expedite and streamline the US citizenship process for men and women bravely serving in America’s armed forces.

“The foundation of our national security is the patriotic service and extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Expediting the citizenship process for service members reflects our commitment to honoring those who come from all over the world to serve our country and become its newest citizens.”

The rule amends DHS regulations to conform to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004, reducing the time requirements for naturalization through military service from three years to one year for applicants who served during peacetime, and extending benefits to members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces. Service members who have served honorably in an active-duty status or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve for any time since Sept. 11, 2001, can file immediately for US citizenship.

The rule also eliminates the requirement for members of the military to file biographic information forms (Form G-325B) with their naturalization applications – removing administrative redundancy and increasing efficiency for those who risk their lives for the nation’s security.

Is the Green Card Lottery a National Security Thread ?

Green Card — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:57:57 +0000

The green card lottery program was established in 1990 and awards approximately 55,000 permanent resident visas to foreign nationals by conducting a random lottery. According to testimony of the US State Department’s Inspector General during the 109th Congress, “the Diversity Visa program contains significant risks to national security from hostile intelligence officers, criminals, and terrorists attempting to use the program for entry into the United States as permanent residents.”

Most visas are issued to foreign nationals who have existing relationships with lawful U.S. residents or employers. However, the visa lottery awards permanent resident visas based on pure luck. This leaves open the door to those who want to enter the United States to harm our citizens.

The visa lottery also is unfair to law-abiding immigrants. Family-sponsored immigrants currently face waits of years to be reunited with their families. Each year, the visa lottery program pushes 55,000 random immigrants ahead of these family-sponsored immigrants waiting to be reunited with their families.

Thousands from terror sponsoring nations get U.S. citizenship
The State Department is planning to welcome thousands of immigrants from terror-watch list countries into the United States this year through the diversity visa lottery – a giant legal loophole some lawmakers say is a “serious national security threat” that has gone unchecked for years.

Ostensibly designed to increase ethnic diversity among immigrants, the program invites in thousands of poorly educated laborers with few job skills – and that’s only the beginning of its problems, according to lawmakers and government investigations.

“There are a lot of holes in this program in terms of security and in terms of fraud,“ said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who has written legislation aimed at killing the lottery.

Diversity Visa Lottery Terrorism
Several lottery winners have already been involved in terrorism in the United States.

Michigan sleeper cell member Karim Koubriti, convicted of terror-related charges in the summer of 2002, was a lottery winner from Morocco. So was Ahmed Hannan, who was convicted of document fraud in the same trial.

The most notorious lottery winner is Hesham Mohamed Ali Hedayet, the Egyptian immigrant who went to Los Angeles International Airport to kill Jews on July 4, 2002 and killed two people.

Hedayet came to this country on a temporary visa, became an illegal alien when he overstayed his welcome, then applied for asylum, was denied, again becoming an illegal alien, and finally got a green card when his wife won the green card lottery.

Read full article at Green Card News.

The Army’s New Non-Citizen Recruiting Program For Foreign Health Care Professionals

Green Card — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:22:59 +0000

Mount Rush

The US Army started a new recruiting pilot program for foreign health care professionals. Titled “Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest” (MAVNI), the new pilot program allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the United States to join the Army and apply immediately for US citizenship without first obtaining lawful permanent residence. The US Army MAVNI recruiting program will recruit up to 333 health care professionals (doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, nurses, and others) nationwide. The Army will also run a separate part of MAVNI in New York City to recruit up to 557 persons who speak certain critical foreign languages; some health care professionals may want to consider that program if they speak one of the critical languages but do not meet the specific MAVNI health care professional program requirements. The Army’s MAVNI program can accelerate the path to US citizenship while MAVNI health care professionals serve in the active Army or the Reserve.1 The pilot program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2009, or whenever the Army meets its projected recruiting needs.

Is The Army Sponsoring Anyone For A Visa Or Assisting Anyone Outside The United States To Enter The US In Order To Enlist?
No. This Is An Enlistment Program For People Who Are Already Inside The United States In Legal Status.

Under the MAVNI program, the Army is not sponsoring anyone for a visa or green card or authorizing anyone to enter the United States for the purpose of enlistment.

This program is not available to persons who are overseas. Instead, MAVNI allows certain non-citizens who are already legally present in the United States to enlist.

Under the Army’s rules, all MAVNI recruits must pass an English test and score 50 or higher on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).7 Thus, Army MAVNI recruits will be required to meet higher standards than US citizen Army recruits. Those MAVNI recruits who seek to enlist on the basis of their foreign language proficiency will be tested on that proficiency.

Read full story at Green Card News.

Green Card bill passes for spouses of deceased U.S. citizens

Green Card — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:55:16 +0000

President Obama

Widows and widowers would now be eligible regardless of when their partners died or how long they were married. The measure awaits President Obama’s signature.

Congress just passed a bill that would make widows and widowers of U.S. citizens eligible for green cards even if their spouses died before their applications were approved.

The measure, part of the more than $40-billion Homeland Security appropriations bill, ends the “widow penalty,” which required couples to be married for two years before the surviving spouse would be eligible to apply for residency. Now, surviving spouses can apply for a green card for themselves and their children regardless of when the U.S. citizen died or how long they were married.

Obtain a U.S. Green Card without any form of sponsorship

Green Card — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:33:26 +0000

One way in which SOME people can obtain a Green Card without any form of sponsorship is to participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery which is held each year. Between October 2 and December 2, 2009 the US State Department have in effect the 2009 Diversity Visa (DV2011) Lottery program. This is a lottery where applications from all over the world are received so that the applicants can be considered for a Green Card. Not everyone in the world is eligible. Only those from traditionally low visa requesting countries may apply. Not every who applies is selected and not everyone who is selected obtains a Green Card. The Visa Lottery has strict exclusions for some countries and specific requirements that must be fulfilled by the recipients.

Read full article at DV2011 Green Card News.

Bring Cash and we will give you a Green Card

Green Card — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:32:10 +0000

The US Green Card

Want to become a US citizen? Bring some business savvy and cash. Lots of cash. You will then be fast tracked to a U.S. Green Card.

That, in essence, is the pitch of many cash-strapped regions across the United States as they look for immigrants with capital to invest. Under the two-decade-old EB-5 “Alien Investor” visa program, foreigners with at least $1 million to invest in a US business could get a green card from the US government. Because that threshold drops to $500,000 in areas deemed as especially needing development, more communities are applying to qualify and are bumping up their overseas marketing of the program.

Any geographical area is eligible to become such a “regional center.” California military bases count. The entire state of Vermont is one. The effort seems to be paying off. The number of centers has almost tripled – from 23 a year ago to 60 in July – and the immigrants have followed. In the first two-thirds of this fiscal year, the number of foreign entrepreneurs approved for the program’s first visa had reached 912, nearly double the total for all of fiscal 2007, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Read full story at Green Card News.