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Immigration

ICE removes former Guatemalan police officer wanted for activist’s disappearance

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Los Angeles removed a former Guatemalan police officer accused of participating in the widely publicized, forced disappearance of a student leader and union activist in 1984.


Immigration

ERO Houston removes previously deported Mexican fugitive wanted for homicide

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Mexico and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force in Mexico, removed Gregorio Gutierrez-Galvan, a 64-year-old previously removed Mexican national, from the United States on March 10.


Immigration

Former MLB player, co-conspirator convicted of drug conspiracy

Following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, former MLB player Luther Hackman, 48, pled guilty to money laundering and conspiring to distribute cocaine March 9.


Immigration

Brothers convicted of methamphetamine conspiracy

Following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, a federal jury in the Western District of Tennessee convicted two brothers of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.


Immigration

ERO Boston removes foreign fugitive wanted in Brazil for fraud

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston removed foreign fugitive and unlawfully present Brazilian national Carlos Alberto Moraes, 57, from the United States on March 10. Moraes is wanted in Brazil for using fraudulent documents.


Immigration

USCIS Announces End of COVID-Related Flexibilities

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that certain flexibilities it first announced in March 2020, to address the COVID-19 pandemic will end on March 23, 2023.


Immigration

USCIS Form and Policy Updates for Applying for Naturalization Based on Military Service

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.


Immigration

USCIS Relocates Lockbox From Phoenix To Tempe, Arizona for Courier Delivery Services

On March 31, applicants and petitioners filing at the Phoenix lockbox will see a new filing location for courier delivery services such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL. We will move our Phoenix lockbox to Tempe, AZ, for courier delivery services.


Immigration

Update to Filing Location for U Nonimmigrant-Based Form I-485

U nonimmigrants applying to become lawful permanent residents must now file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, only at the Nebraska Service Center and not at the Vermont Service Center.


Immigration

USCIS Announces Additional Mail Delivery Process for Receiving ADIT Stamp

Lawful permanent residents may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail rather than physically visiting a field office to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp).


Immigration

USCIS Removes Biometrics Requirement for Form I-526E Petitioners

Beginning March 15, we are removing the biometrics submission requirement and $85 fee requirement for petitioners filing Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. Petitioners no longer need to submit the fee for biometrics services with their Form I-526E.


Immigration

USCIS Extends Rule Providing Interpreters at Affirmative Asylum Interviews

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today a fourth extension to a temporary final rule (TFR) requiring use of a USCIS interpreter at certain affirmative asylum interviews.


Immigration

USCIS Issues Guidance on Analyzing Employers’ Ability to Pay Wages

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance (PDF, 313.21 KB) on how we analyze an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications.


Immigration

Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement publishes 95 press releases in March

There were 95 press releases published by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March.


Immigration

HSI Laredo investigation leads to Nicaraguan citizen's guilty plea in deadly smuggling conspiracy

Arling Antonio Gutierrez-Garcia, 49, a Nicaraguan citizen unlawfully present in the United States pleaded guilty March 10 to conspiracy to transport noncitizens.


Immigration

Arizona man sentenced for attempted ammunition trafficking after HSI Nogales investigation

A federal judge sentenced an Arizona man March 6 to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to smuggle ammunition to Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nogales investigated the case.


Immigration

HSI San Antonio investigation results 6-year sentence for human smuggler

On March 9, a federal judge in Del Rio sentenced Enrique Rodriguez, 21, of San Antonio, to 78 months in prison for conspiracy to transport noncitizens resulting in serious bodily injury or placing lives in jeopardy. In addition to his prison sentence, the judge ordered him to pay $205,827.97 in restitution.


Immigration

Joint HSI-FBI investigation lands MS-13 member a life sentence for racketeering conspiracy, murder

An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore and the FBI’s Washington field office resulted in a sentence of life in federal prison for a member of the notorious MS-13 street gang. On March 6, a federal judge sentenced Jose Domingo Ordonez-Zometa, 33, of Landover Hills, for racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering conspiracies, committing murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to destroy and conceal evidence connected to his participation a transnational criminal enterprise.


Immigration

ERO New York City apprehends foreign fugitive wanted in Ecuador for homicide, rape

On March 2, officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City’s Newburgh office arrested a foreign fugitive without incident. The fugitive is wanted in Ecuador for homicide and rape.


Immigration

ERO Salt Lake City removes Mexican fugitive wanted for robbery

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Salt Lake City field office removed an unlawfully present foreign fugitive from the United States who was wanted in Mexico for robbery on March 7.