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TPS Extended for Salvadorans

Department of Homeland Security has announced extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, beginning March 10, 2012, and ending Sept. 9, 2013. Current Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs through March 12, 2012.

The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries who re-register on time will receive a new EAD with an expiration date of Sept. 9, 2013. USCIS has also announced that it recognizes that all re-registrants may not receive their new EADs until after their current EADs expire, and therefore, it is extending the current TPS El Salvador bearing a March 9, 2012, expiration date for an additional six months, through Sept. 9, 2012.

To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status and a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether they are applying for an EAD. Re-registrants do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee, but they must submit the biometric services fee, or a fee waiver request, if they are age 14 or older. TPS re-registrants applying for an EAD must submit the Form I-765 application fee, or a fee waiver request. Failure to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee waiver request will result in the rejection of the TPS application.

TPS Extended for Hondurans

Department of Homeland Security has announced extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Honduras for an additional 18 months, beginning January 6, 2012, and ending July 5, 2013. Current Honduran beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from November 4, 2011 through January 5, 2012.

The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible Honduran TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register will receive a new EAD with an expiration date of July 5, 2013. USCIS has also announced that it recognizes that all re-registrants may not receive their new EADs until after their current EADs expire, and therefore, it is extending the current TPS Honduras EAD bearing a January 6, 2012, expiration date for an additional six months, through July 5, 2012.

To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether they are applying for an EAD. Re-registrants do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee, but they must submit the biometric services fee, or a fee waiver request, if they are age 14 or older. TPS re-registrants applying for an EAD must submit the Form I-765 application fee, or a fee waiver request. Failure to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee waiver request will result in the rejection of the TPS application.

Bill proposes ‘Homeowner Visa’ for foreigners who buy residential property in US for at least $500,000

Senators Charles Schumer and Mike Lee have introduced a bill for the enactment of the Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act, or VISIT-USA Act, that calls for the creation of a new ‘Homeowner Visa’ that would allow foreigners who spend at least $500,000 on residential property in the US to obtain visas that would allow them to live temporarily in the US. Under the new, proposed visa, foreign nationals could spend the entire amount on one house or spend as little as $250,000 on a residence and invest the rest in other residential real estate, which can be rented out. The purchase should be in cash and no mortgage or home equity loan is allowed.

The new visa will also not allow these foreign national homeowners to work in the US, unless they have obtained a regular work visa through the normal process. They would also need to pay US taxes and spend at least 180 days a year in the US, but they would be ineligible to receive any Social Security or other government benefits. Spouse and children under the age of 18 would be able to company the homeowner. However, they wouldn't be able to stay in the US legally on the new visa once they sold their properties. The homeowner visa would be renewable every three years, but would not put them on a path to citizenship.

The provisions under the bill would create visas that are separate from current programs and there would be no numerical cap for the new, proposed Homeowner Visas. The Bill, if enacted, would definitely incentivize many foreign nationals to invest in a US residential property and would in consequently, help bring more foreign investments in to the US economy.

ICE Arrests 59 at Northern Virginia Resort after I9 Inspection

As part of ongoing efforts to secure our nation's borders through the discharge of interior law enforcement missions, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed an enforcement action at the luxurious northern Virginia resort.

This morning, ICE agents interviewed roughly 100 employees that resulted in the arrest of 53 immigration status violators working at the resort. Two females were released at the site for humanitarian concerns. Another six where apprehended outside of the facility bringing the total to 59. This investigation started in early July 2007 after a routine inspection of all I-9 employment forms at the resort.

Through the expert analysis of the I-9 forms, ICE agents identified information that led them to suspect that many of the employees were using fraudulent documents or had stolen someone else's identity to secure employment at the resort. The investigation is still ongoing. The 59 men and woman are nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Bolivia, Peru and Argentina, and all face removal proceedings.

Today's enforcement action is part of ICE's nationwide aggressive pursuit of unauthorized workers and employers who violate the law," said Mark X. McGraw, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the ICE office of investigations in Washington, DC. Companies that use cheap, illegal alien labor as a business model should be on notice that ICE is dramatically enhancing its enforcement efforts against illegal employment schemes."

All of the immigration status violators arrested today will be interviewed by ICE personnel, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS) staff and offered access to Social Services to record any medical, sole-caregiver or other humanitarian situations.

Based upon these interviews, ICE will determine whether detainees remain in custody or are considered for humanitarian release. In all cases, undocumented aliens will be fingerprinted and processed for removal from the United States.

IMAGE Program Launched by ICE in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in cooperation with several local businesses, this morning launched the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government Employers (IMAGE) for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

IMAGE is a joint initiative between government and the business community to ensure the integrity of the U.S. legal immigration system. Under IMAGE, ICE is partnering with companies in Puerto Rico to strengthen their hiring practices and reduce the unlawful employment of illegal aliens.

ICE is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration and customs laws. A known vulnerability is the presence of undocumented workers who have secured jobs by fraudulent means, including identity theft, the use of false documents, and the submission of fraudulent applications for immigration benefits. To combat unlawful employment and reduce vulnerabilities that help illegal aliens gain such employment, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently introduced the IMAGE program. The goal is to assist employers in targeted sectors to develop a more secure and stable workforce and to enhance fraudulent document awareness through education and training.

As part of IMAGE, ICE will provide education and training on proper hiring procedures, fraudulent document detection, use of the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and anti-discrimination procedures. Employers seeking to participate in IMAGE must agree to submit to an I-9 audit by ICE. Forms I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, are used to establish a person's identity and work eligibility, and must be completed by each person a company hires.

All IMAGE participants gain membership to DHS's E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is currently free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

"Most employers want to comply with our nation's immigration laws," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. "Yet every day they are confronted with illegal aliens attempting to secure jobs through fraudulent means, including the use of counterfeit documents and stolen identities. The aim of IMAGE is to help employers deal with these situations and confidently develop a legal workforce."

Upon enrollment in and commitment to DHS's Best Employment Practices, program participants will be deemed "IMAGE certified," a distinction DHS believes will become an industry standard.

CBP Recommends Travelers to Prepare For Busy Weekend

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Buffalo, N.Y. is reminding travelers planning trips across the border into the United States to make sure they have the proper documents and to anticipate heavy traffic. During March, the Easter holiday observance and spring break occur during the same timeframe and could result in heavy traffic entering the United States. CBP officials want to remind the traveling public that there are a number of steps that can be taken to facilitate their arrival into the United States.

Travelers are encouraged to prepare for cross-border travel in advance. Travelers can obtain local border traffic conditions by either visiting the CBP Web site to obtain border wait time information for various border crossings. To help facilitate their crossing, individuals should have their documents available before reaching the inspection booth. CBP reminds travelers that since Jan. 31, U.S. and Canadian citizens--both adults and children arriving to the United States from Canada--must carry a document that proves their citizenship.

Those who don't have a stand-alone document such as a passport or NEXUS card must carry a birth certificate (original or copy) plus government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. U.S. and Canadian children ages 18 and under will only be asked to present proof of citizenship, such as a copy of their birth certificate. Travelers who don't have proof of citizenship may face secondary screening and delays at border stations while their citizenship is verified.

Frequent cross-border travelers are encouraged to participate in the NEXUS alternative inspection program, which allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers arriving from land and sea to proceed with little or no delay by United States and Canadian Border Officials. Application forms are available on the Canadian Border Services Agency Web site. For NEXUS toll free information, (U.S. and Canadian), call 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).

In the words of James T. Engleman, CBP director of field operations for Buffalo, "U.S. Customs and Border Protection will staff all available primary lanes commensurate with arriving traffic, and will maintain staffing in those lanes until traffic subsides," he also added, "Travelers are encouraged to factor in sufficient time to cross the border so that they may arrive at their destination on schedule."

EOIR notifies persons eligible for Full Asylum Benefits for FY 2004

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that notices have been sent to those individuals in the United States with conditional grants of asylum based on resistance to a coercive population control program (CPC) who now are fully eligible for all asylum benefits. The spouses and children of these individuals also are eligible for all asylum benefits if they were properly included in the application for asylum (Form I-589) as dependents and if they reside in the United States. (To receive asylum benefits as dependents, children must be under 21 years of age or classified as children under the Child Status Protection Act.)

The law specifically limits the number of individuals who can be granted asylum on grounds related to CPC to 1,000 per fiscal year (FY). Asylum is granted to such individuals on a conditional basis by Immigration Judges and by the Board of Immigration Appeals in EOIR, or by Asylum Officers in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service). Because the number of individuals who annually establish eligibility for asylum based on CPC has been greater than 1,000, these individuals are placed on a waiting list and remain in conditional grant status until one of the 1,000 final approval authorization numbers becomes available. More than 9,000 asylum applicants currently are on the waiting list.

Consequently, for those who were granted conditional asylum during FY 2004, the waiting period for full asylum benefits is approximately 9 years.

Status Inquiries

Persons who were granted conditional asylum on or before September 15, 2000, but who have not received a notice regarding final asylum approval, should check on the status of their final asylum approval, if they have not already done so, by sending a letter to the appropriate address. The letter should include:

Full name of the person who filed the asylum application and has been granted conditional asylum,
His or her date of birth,
His or her alien number,
His or her current address (see also Required Actions, below), and
A copy of the order or letter granting conditional asylum.

If an Immigration Judge issued the conditional grant of asylum, status inquiries must be sent to:

Office of the Chief Immigration Judge
Attn: CPC Status Inquiry
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2500
Falls Church, VA 22041

If the Board of Immigration Appeals issued the conditional grant of asylum, status inquiries must be sent to:

Board of Immigration Appeals
Clerk’s Office
Attn: CPC Status Inquiry
Post Office Box 8530
Falls Church, VA 22041 Phone: 703-605-1007

If a USCIS Asylum Officer issued the conditional grant of asylum, status inquiries must be sent to the USCIS Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the conditional grantee’s residence. The USCIS Web site at http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/alphaa.htm provides the jurisdiction and addresses of the eight USCIS Asylum Offices.

Required Actions for Individuals with Conditional Asylum

Persons who remain in conditional asylum status must comply with any requests to appear for fingerprinting and biometrics or other background clearance procedures. They also must provide any changes of address promptly in the following manner:

If an Immigration Judge issued the conditional grant of asylum, individuals must submit to the
Immigration Court that last had jurisdiction over their case a completed Form EOIR-33/IJ, “Change of Address Form,” within 5 days of any change of address. Addresses for the Immigration Courts can be found on the EOIR Web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/sibpages/ICadr.htm. They also must submit a completed Form AR-11, “Alien’s Change of Address Card,” within 10 days of any change of address to the Department of Homeland Security at the address indicated in the form instructions.

If the Board of Immigration Appeals issued the conditional grant of asylum, individuals must submit a completed Form EOIR-33/BIA, “Change of Address Form,” within 5 days of any change of address to the address below:

Board of Immigration Appeals
Clerk’s Office
Post Office Box 8530
Falls Church, VA 22041 Phone: 703-605-1007

They also must submit a completed Form AR-11, “Alien’s Change of Address Card,” within 10 days of any change of address to the Department of Homeland Security at the address indicated in the form instructions.

If a USCIS Asylum Officer issued the conditional grant of asylum, individuals must submit to the Department of Homeland Security at the address indicated in the form instructions a completed Form AR-11, “Alien’s Change of Address Card,” within 10 days of any change of address. They also should send a copy of their completed Form AR-11 to the USCIS Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over their residence. The USCIS Web site at http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/alphaa.htm provides the jurisdiction and addresses of the eight USCIS Asylum Offices.

For additional information about CPC and asylum click here.

For complete News Release issued by EOIR, click here.

US and Canada to implement Safe Third Country Agreement on asylum

Eduardo Aguirre, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced today the publication of a final rule to implement a bilateral agreement between the United States and Canada affecting asylum seekers at U.S.-Canada land border ports-of-entry, and transiting through the United States or Canada during removal by the other country. The regulations implementing this agreement will take effect in 30 days.

“The agreement ensures that all asylum seekers will be heard and that individuals will not be removed until Canada or the United States has made a protection determination. USCIS and Citizenship and Immigration Canada have worked diligently to anticipate and resolve potential challenges related to this agreement’s implementation. We have ensured that asylum seekers have procedural safeguards, such as decision-making review and the opportunity for asylum seekers to have an individual present when interviewed about exceptions to the Agreement,” said the Director.

The initiative to enter into a Safe Third Country Agreement was included in the 30-point action plan under the Smart Border Declaration signed in December 2001 by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Tom Ridge and Mr. John Manley, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Canada. The Agreement highlights U.S.-Canadian cooperation to develop mutually beneficial approaches to our common security goals while simultaneously continuing to provide access to one of our two nations’ asylum systems for those with protection concerns. The Agreement, signed in December 2002, could not take effect until both countries published final implementing regulations. Canada published its final regulations on November 3, 2004.

The agreement applies only to asylum seekers at a U.S.-Canada land border port-of-entry or being removed from Canada or the U.S. through the other country. The Agreement permits the United States to return to Canada certain asylum seekers who either are attempting to enter the United States from Canada at a U.S.-Canada land border port-of-entry or who are being removed from Canada in transit through the United States. Similarly, it permits Canada to return to the United States certain asylum seekers attempting to enter Canada from the United States at a U.S.-Canada land border port-of entry and certain aliens being removed from the United States through Canada. In either case, the Agreement provides (with important exceptions) that the asylum seeker be returned to Canada, if coming to the U.S. from Canada, or returned to the U.S., if going to Canada from the U.S., for consideration of any request for protection based on fear of persecution or torture. The Agreement adheres to both the United States’ and Canada’s long-standing commitment to protect refugees by ensuring that asylum seekers’ protection claims are heard and decided in one of the two countries.

The final rule implements the Agreement’s several exceptions to its general proviso that asylum seekers attempting to enter the U.S. from Canada at land border ports-of-entry be returned to Canada for consideration of their protection concerns. These exceptions include, among others, an exemption for unaccompanied minors and exemptions for some asylum seekers with certain family members in the United States. The exceptions for asylum seekers with family members in the U.S. recognize that those family members may be able to provide important support to an asylum seeker while he or she is pursuing protection, and includes a range of relatives, far broader than those customarily recognized under U.S. family-based immigration laws, i.e., spouses, sons, daughters, parents, legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. In order for asylum seekers to qualify for these exceptions, their family members in the U.S. must have some form of lawful immigrant or non-immigrant status (other than a visitor’s visa), or have an asylum claim pending and be 18 years of age or older.

The Department of Justice is also publishing a companion final rule, which will govern the process by which immigration judges of the Executive Office for Immigration Review will apply the Agreement to cases arising under their jurisdiction.

Tips for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents traveling internationally.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today launched a traveler awareness campaign to inform the millions of Americans and U.S. residents who will travel abroad this holiday season.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to making sure that your vacation and business travel is as safe and stress free as possible,” stated Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. “U.S. citizens vacationing abroad can make their own travel easier by taking a few extra minutes to 'Know Before You Go."

"Travelers should also be aware," Commissioner Bonner continued, "that the United States and its citizens are targets for terrorists. While CBP is taking every necessary step to protect our country, employing a highly trained work force with the latest technology, we need an alert and vigilant citizenry to report to enforcement authorities any unusual or suspicious activity. We ask you to be our partners in ensuring a safe, secure and enjoyable holiday season."

To learn about the rules for bringing back purchases made and gifts received abroad, travelers should read Know Before You Go, available at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel.

Here is a brief overview of U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements.

If you are a U.S. citizen returning to the United States from outside of the Western Hemisphere, e.g., Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, you must present a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling inside the Western Hemisphere, e.g., North, Central or South America, it is highly recommended that you carry any proof of citizenship that clearly establishes identity and nationality, such as a passport (valid or expired), a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization, or a birth certificate or baptismal certificate and a photo I.D.
If you are a non-citizen who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you must present a permanent resident card ("green card," Form I-551), a reentry permit, or a refugee travel document endorsed to reflect permanent resident status.
If you are in the process of applying for lawful permanent residence in the United States, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and receive permission to travel outside the United States, BEFORE leaving the United States (advance parole).
You must declare the total value of all articles acquired abroad and in your possession at the time you return. This includes articles you bought; gifts you received; repairs, or alterations made while you were out of the United States; and any items you brought home for someone else.
If you have food items or souvenirs made of straw or other plant-derived materials or seeds, you must declare them on the CBP declaration form. Here's why: certain items brought into this country from foreign countries may harbor foreign animal and plant pests and diseases that could seriously damage America's crops, livestock, pets, and the environment. All meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, and plant and animal products, soup or soup products in your possession must be declared and presented for inspection. This declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage and carry-on luggage. If the items are found to have pests or be diseased, or are from an area where certain diseases are occurring, they will be seized and destroyed under government supervision. Travelers who fail to declare plant and animal products can be fined up to $1,000 or more and have their items confiscated. You should also declare if you have been on a farm or in close proximity to livestock. If you have, we will want to examine your shoes for dirt or animal matter that could harbor foot-and-mouth disease or other dangers to U.S. livestock.
Your duty-free exemption is $800 if you are a returning U.S. resident and the items you acquired abroad accompany you. The duty-free exemption is $600 if you are returning directly from a Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act country. The exemption is $1,200 if you are returning from American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Gifts you mailed from abroad to people in the United States can be received by them free of duty if the value of the gift does not exceed $100.
The articles you purchased in “duty-free” shops, or on a plane or ship, are subject to duty and other restrictions. Articles you bought in American duty-free shops are subject to duty and IRS tax if reentered into the United States.
There is no limitation on the amount of monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the United States. If you take out or bring in more than $10,000 in currency or negotiable instruments you must file a report (FinCen 105) with CBP.

This is only a brief overview of U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements. The brochure, Know Before You Go, describes the rules in detail. A copy of this brochure can be ordered on CBP's web site at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/order/. You may also call and request a copy from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, D.C., at 1-877-CBP-5511 or 202-354-1000.

President authorizes 70,000 refugee admissions during FY 2005

Presidential Determination No. 2004-53 of September 30, 2004

Presidential Determination on FY 2005 Refugee Admissions Numbers and Authorizations of In-Country Refugee Status Pursuant to Sections 207 and 101(a)(42), respectively, of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, as Amended

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

In accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the "Act") (8 U.S.C. 1157), as amended, and after appropriate consultations with the Congress, I hereby make the following determinations and authorize the following actions:

The admission of up to 70,000 refugees to the United States during FY 2005 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest; provided, however, that this number shall be understood as including persons admitted to the United States during FY 2005 with Federal refugee resettlement assistance under the Amerasian immigrant admissions program, as provided below.

The 70,000 admissions numbers shall be allocated among refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States in accordance with the following regional allocations; provided, however, that the number allocated to the East Asia region shall include persons admitted to the United States during FY 2005 with Federal refugee resettlement assistance under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 1988, as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-202 (Amerasian immigrants and their family members); provided further that the number allocated to the former Soviet Union shall include persons admitted who were nationals of the former Soviet Union, or in the case of persons having no nationality, who were habitual residents of the former Soviet Union, prior to September 2, 1991:

Africa	20,000
East Asia	13,000
Europe and Central Asia	9,500
Latin America/Caribbean	5,000
Near East/South Asia	2,500
Unallocated Reserve	20,000

The 20,000 unallocated refugee numbers shall be allocated to regional ceilings as needed. Upon providing notification to the Judiciary Committees of the Congress, you are hereby authorized to use unallocated numbers in regions where the need for additional numbers arises.

Additionally, upon notification to the Judiciary Committees of the Congress, you are further authorized to transfer unused numbers allocated to a particular region to one or more other regions, if there is a need for greater numbers for the region or regions to which the numbers are being transferred. Consistent with section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as amended, I hereby determine that assistance to or on behalf of persons applying for admission to the United States as part of the overseas refugee admissions program will contribute to the foreign policy interests of the United States and designate such persons for this purpose.

An additional 10,000 refugee admissions numbers shall be made available during FY 2005 for the adjustment to permanent resident status under section 209(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1159(b)) of aliens who have been granted asylum in the United States under section 208 of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1158), as this is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

In accordance with section 101(a)(42) of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(42)), and after appropriate consultation with the Congress, I also specify that, for FY 2005, the following persons may, if otherwise qualified, be considered refugees for the purpose of admission to the United States within their countries of nationality or habitual residence:

a.	Persons in Vietnam
b.	Persons in Cuba
c.	Persons in the former Soviet Union
d.	In exceptional circumstances, persons identified by a U.S. Embassy in and location

You are authorized and directed to report this determination to the Congress immediately and to publish it in the Federal Register.

(Presidential Sig.)B

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, September 30, 2004.

For complete Federal Register Notice, please click here.

Over 50,000 refugees admitted in FY 2004

Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC

Through the U.S. Resettlement Program, the United States admitted 52,875 refugees representing more than 40 nationalities during fiscal year 2004. This represents more than an 85% increase over the number of refugees admitted in fiscal year 2003.

The success of this year’s program is a result of extraordinary efforts and coordination among federal agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and overseas partners in successfully implementing and streamlining enhanced security requirements following September 11, 2001.

The United States remains committed to a vigorous refugee admissions program and will continue to welcome refugees for whom resettlement is the most appropriate durable solution. Since 1975, we have admitted over 2.5 million refugees for resettlement in the United States. We lead the world in offering resettlement to those in need, and we encourage other countries to participate actively in this humanitarian effort.