THE AMERICAN DREAM -USA-NEWSLETTER 10/2002

Published by  THE AMERICAN DREAM- USA Services GmbH, Heinsestr. 16, 13467 Berlin, Tel.: +49180-511 0511, Fax +49180-511 0 512, http.//www.americandream.de  and THE AMERICAN DREAM, Empire State Building, Ste. 3304, New York, NY 10118. Copyright 10/02, all rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter according to your request on our website. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please send an e-mail to unsubscribe@americandream.de // Subscribers (Sept 2002): 4.537 persons

EDITORIAL 

Unfortunately it has been a long time since we published our last international newsletter. In this edition we finally want to inform you in detail about the most recent developments in the US. We will focus particularly on all kinds of visa issues which have experienced a lot of changes within the last six months, some of them as a direct result of September 11^th. We hope that we can publish some more entertaining stories in our next newsletter, but it all depends on what the US administration still has in store for all of us in the months to come.

Yours sincerely,

THE AMERICAN DREAM Team

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1. Green Card Lottery Update
2. Breaking News
3. The ABC of US-Visa
4. Newsflash
5. Surf the web: Interesting Sites
6. Official State Department Visa Bulletin

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1. GREEN CARD LOTTERY UPDATE  

We would like to remind you that the deadline for the application period  for the DV-2004 green card lottery is approaching rapidly. The US State Department has just  announced the final deadline: Your application and payment must be received by THE AMERICAN DREAM by October 21st, 2002. A green card enables you to live, work or study in America indefinitely and without any restrictions. The green card lottery is open for nationals of all countries, except for people born in Great Britain (except Northern Ireland), People's Republic of China, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, El Salvador, Haiti, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.  The only other requirement is a certification of completion of secondary school education (comparable to the US high school diploma) or a minimum of two years' work experience (within the past five years) in a profession which requires at least two years of training. Proof of these prerequisites are only necessary when and if a lottery participant wins a GreenCard. They are not necessary when you are simply submitting the application.   This is a unique chance and if you have not yet filed your application for this year, you should consider doing so very soon. Please visit our website http://www.greencard.info or http://www.americandream.de to order new forms or fill in your application on-line. You will need only a photograph of yourself, your husband and wife, and your children under 21, if any. The photo has to be a square size of at least 37 mm (1.5 inches) and at most 50 mm (2 inches). No further documents need to be submitted. If you have submitted your application already and have provided us with your e-mail address, you will receive an electronic confirmation as soon as we have processed your application. Also, in early November 2002, all of our customers will receive a personal "certificate of mailing" as proof of the correct submission of your entry within the USA. This will be sent by regular mail to your home address.   If you have any additional questions regarding this year´s lottery, please send an e-mail to info@americandream.de or visit our contact page: http://www.americandream.de/e_contact/   We wish you good luck and keep our fingers crossed!  

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2. BREAKING NEWS

(NEW) VISA PROCESSING DELAYS AT US CONSULATES

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced at the end of August 2002, that all Nonimmigrant Visa applications are experiencing “substantial delays of six to eight weeks or more.“ The DOS notice repeatedly cites security concerns and additional required procedures as the cause of the delays. The notice states that DOS, along with other government agencies, has been extensively reviewing visa issuance practices in light of post- september 11th security concerns.

Visa applications now undergo added security measures and greater scrutiny, resulting in longer processing times. DOS states that it is “doing everything possible to meet the legitimate needs of prospective travelers consistent with the priority we must attach to our security and legal responsibilities.“ DOS' main priority is to ensure that persons who receive visas do not pose a security threat and the notice advises that this responsibility takes precedence over all other considerations. DOS suggests that applicants build in sufficient time to allow for the expected processing delays.

NEW FORM DS-158 FOR F-(STUDENT) , M- (VOCATIONAL) AND J- (EXCHANGE) -VISA APLLICANTS

As of July 25, 2002, a new form, DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant) is required for all applicants for F, M and J visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. F and M visas are for academic and vocational students, respectively. J visas are for exchange visitors. [Note that this is a Department of State form, as indicated by the “DS“ designation; not an INS form.]

The form is to be submitted together with the usual nonimmigrant visa application forms: the DS-156 (for all applicants) and the DS-157 (for male applicants ages 16 to 45). All of these forms are available through the U.S. Department of State's Visa Services website or the US Embassy website in your home country.

Form DS-158 consists of two pages of biographic data including work experience details, similar to a job application. The information requested includes: job title, employer's name, dates of employment and job duties for the present job as well as three previous jobs. The applicant is required to list the full names, addresses, and telephone numbers for his/her children, parents, siblings, and any spouse. The applicant must also provide names of at least two contacts in his or her country of residence (with addresses and telephone numbers), who can verify information about the applicant.

It is unclear at this point exactly how this Form will be used. Obviously, the information would facilitate a background investigation of the applicant, should the U.S. Department of State determine that an investigation is necessary in a particular case. Whether such investigations will be conducted routinely on all applicants, or only on those who may meet certain criteria, is not known at this time.

If you have any questions or other concerns, please contact our immigration and visa expert directly at visa@americandream.de  

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3. THE ABC OF US-VISA

PROPOSAL TO REDUCE TOURIST STAY TO ONLY 30 DAYS (B- VISA)

Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner James W. Ziglar announced a significant proposal for change in the tourist visa regulations.
In testimony given March 19, 2002 before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, the Commissioner stated that the INS is considering
regulatory changes that would result in most holders of tourist visas being allowed entry for a period of 30 days. This is a dramatic reduction from the
previously generous provisions, whereby the INS routinely granted tourist the right to remain legally in the U.S. for up to 6 months.

Mr. Ziglar also announced significant changes with respect to persons requesting a change of status from B-2 (tourist or visitor for pleasure) to
F-1 or M-1 (student).

TOURIST: LENGTH OF STAY

Currently, most individuals entering on B-2 visas are allowed to remain in the U.S. for six months. The INS inspector at the Port of Entry determines
the length of the authorized stay. Unless there are reasons to limit the stay, such as recent, multiple prior visits, permission to remain in the
U.S. for six months has been given fairly routinely. The proposal would limit this “routine“ period to one month.

Although the Commissioner did not release any further details on this subject, INS officials indicated that periods of more than a month would be allowed but would require documented reasons justifying the need for a longer stay.

For our readers this change may mean that extended visits by family members will become more difficult. Many older parents visit their permanent resident children for several months at a time. Due to the expense of the trip and the great distance involved, such relatively lengthy visits are the only way that many immigrant families can remain in close contact. Given that the INS Ports of Entry are increasing their scrutiny of repeat visitors, it may now be quite difficult or even impossible to have family visitors in the country for fairly brief visits more than occasionally. The proposed change has not yet been implemented.

RESTRICTIONS ON CHANGING TO STUDENT STATUS

As a direct reaction to the events of September 11th, the INS is proposing changes to the procedure in effect when an individual applies to change
status from tourist to student. Presently, one can start attending classes / courses at the time the application for change of status is filed with the
INS. The proposed changes would require such a person await the INS approval of the change of status before being legally eligible to attend classes.
Generally, the INS has taken approximately 6 to 9 months to approve the change of status in the past. The current proposal would greatly reduce the
waiting time for a decision on a change of status to 30 days or less. 

The ability to file the change of status from tourist to student is also under scrutiny. An intending student may be held strictly to the requirement
that s/he declare her/his intention to be a student at the Port of Entry in order to be allowed to change status after entering as a tourist. If this
intent is not declared, the individual would have to leave the U.S. and make an application for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad in order to enter as a
student rather than filing for the change of status with the INS in the U.S., as is often the case now.

These changes are intended to reduce or eliminate the ability of individuals to “linger“ in the U.S. for protracted periods of time while awaiting
decisions on changes of status from tourist to student. These procedures would work in combination with new requirements mandating that the school
notify the INS, if the student does not enrol in school right away or maintain valid student status during the course of study. These measures are
all geared towards ensuring that students do not violate their student status or have the time to become involved in various illegal activities
without being apprehended or detected promptly by the INS.

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4. NEWS FLASH

INS Statistics on New Immigrants for Fiscal Year 2001

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued a report in August 2002 providing statistics on persons who obtained lawful permanent resident (LPR or “green card“) status during Fiscal Year (FY) 2001. (Fiscal Year 2001 was the period from October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001.) During that year, a total of 1,064,318 gained LPR status, including 653,259 who had already been living in the U.S. in some other status and 411,059 new immigrants from abroad.

The report contains various tables of data and also a graph showing great fluctuations in immigration numbers. INS cautions that, rather than the result of any particular demographic or economic trend, some of the increases may have more to do with backlog reduction efforts. INS credits these efforts with the increase from Fiscal Year 2000 (849,807 new residents) to 2001.

Of the 2001 total, 64 % immigrated in the family-based categories, 17 % in the employment-based categories, 10 % as asylees or refugees, and 3 % under the special provisions for Central Americans known as the NACARA law of 1997. With regard to countries of origin, Mexico accounted for the largest number (206,426) in FY2001, just as in FY2000.

There has been no change in the U.S. states where immigrants are most likely for to settle. California, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois and Texas, listed here in order of popularity, received 65 % of all new residents in Fiscal Year 2001.

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SOCIAL SECURITY CARD CHANGES FOR FOREIGNERS

Effective September 1, 2002, the Social Security Administration (SSA) revised its procedures for processing applications for social security numbers (SSNs) for foreign nationals. Under the new system, SSA will have to verify a foreign national's immigration status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) through an INS database. SSA now has the capability of verifying the status of all foreign nationals using the INS' Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.

PERSONS PRESENT FEWER THAN 30 DAYS

If an individual has been in the U.S. fewer than 30 days, the agency reviews the documents according to procedures set forth in an SSA “Confidential Memorandum.“ The review includes scrutinizing the documents for indications of forgery. If the documents appear to be genuine, SSA attempts to verify them using SAVE. If the SAVE system cannot verify the information, the application continues to be processed and a number issued, while SSA submits an official request to INS to verify the information. A separate procedure is followed for documents that are suspected to be invalid and the application in such a case is not processed while INS verification is pending.

SELECTED COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

A more stringent procedure is followed for citizens or recent residents of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Libya. These individuals do not receive social security numbers until the INS provides the necessary verification of status. However, if individuals from the listed countries are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or representatives of a foreign government or international organization (A or G visa status), they will be processed under the usual procedures.

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

If a foreign national has been in the U.S. for 30 days or longer, the same process is followed, except that a social security number will not be issued until the INS provides the needed verification, either through the SAVE system or, if that does not work, based upon a specific Document Verification Request. Therefore, individuals who are new to the U.S. could face a longer processing time if they wait beyond the 30-day point to apply for an SSN. It is important for human resources managers to bring this to the attention of newly arrived employees.

Persons who are not eligible for SSNs may be able to obtain Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers (ITINs) from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). It is our understanding that some states that require the SSN for driver's license issuance may be able to accept the ITIN instead. Please note that, as with SSNs, ITINs cannot be issued specifically for the purpose of a driver's license. In fact, the following reminder appears at
the top of the application form: “This number is for tax purposes only.“ The form also mentions that persons who are eligible for the SSN should not
apply for the ITIN. An example of a person who may need an ITIN would be an H-4 spouse. Since H-4s are not authorized to work, they would not ordinarily be eligible for the SSN, but may need the ITIN to file taxes jointly with the H1B spouse or to open a bank account.

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HUSSEIN  DEPORTED FROM THE U.S.?

In July the US deported the stepson of Saddam Hussein to New Zealand.  Mohammed Saffi, who is a naturalized citizen of New Zealand, was in the US to attend a seminar at a flight school.  He works as an engineer for Air New Zealand, the country's national airline.  He was arrested on July 3 because he did not have a student visa that would allow him to attend the seminar.  As a citizen of New Zealand, Saffi was eligible to enter the US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

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NEW SECURITY MESSURES FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) briefed the higher education community on May 7, 2002 regarding OSTP's intention to implement “an enhanced mechanism for visa review“ for foreign nationals seeking to study in certain sensitive areas of science and technology. This review would be limited to those areas of study that are “uniquely available in the United States.“ The review procedure would be designed to identify those persons whose purpose in acquiring knowledge is to harm the United States or its allies.

OSTP advised that the review would be performed on a case-by-case basis, without any particular list of prohibited majors or courses. It is expected that this review will primarily affect graduate and post-doctoral students, rather than undergraduate students who study more general scientific and technological subjects, unlikely to be “uniquely available in the United States.“

The review will be conducted by the Interagency Panel on Advanced Science and Security (IPASS). The multidisciplinary panel, chaired by the U.S. Departments of State (DOS) and Justice (DOJ), will review visa applications for study in potentially sensitive areas. These applications will be received by referral from either the DOS, for persons making application outside the U.S., and INS, for existing students requesting to transfer programs. The panel will issue advisory opinions rather than make final decisions.

IPASS will consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to: the background, education and training of the student; the country of origin; the field of research; and the nature of the work being conducted at the school the person wishes to attend.

IPASS will regularly evaluate emerging sensitive areas of science and technology, the availability of these technologies, and the particular terrorist organizations that may be interested in the technologies. Fields of study that become available in countries other than the U.S. will be eliminated from the IPASS list

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PROPOSED ADRESS NOTIFICATION REGULATION

On July 26, 2002 INS published a proposed regulation to include a notice on many INS forms. The notice will alert applicants of the requirement to provide current address or any change of address information to the INS within ten days of a change. The notice will state that INS will use the most recent address for all purposes, including service of a Notice to Appear (NTA) in the event of removal proceedings. Furthermore, it will warn the applicant that if s/he has changed addresses without notifying INS, s/he will still be responsible for all communications sent to the last address provided. Every applicant would be required to acknowledge that s/he received this information.

CONSEQUENCES TO FAIL..

The new language on the forms will satisfy certain requirements in the law for advance notice to foreign nationals of the address notification requirements and of the consequences of failure to comply. These consequences include entry of an in absentia removal order against the individual if s/he fails to appear for a removal hearing. In absentia removal orders are entered without the foreign national's presence in court. It is extremely difficult to reopen such a case in order to contest the removal order. The regulations are extremely strict, generally requiring the person to prove extraordinary circumstances, such as severe illness, as a reason for not attending the hearing. It is often quite difficult to meet the requirements. Thus the individual is not able to have his or her “day in court“ to argue the case. One other allowable “excuse“ for failing to appear is failure to receive notification of the hearing.

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A ROYAL STORY

Last December, Buniah al-Saud, a niece of the king of Saudi Arabia, was accused of pushing an Indonesian maid down a flight of stairs.  Florida officials prosecuted al-Saud, but the prosecution sputtered to a halt recently, as al-Saud was allowed to plead no contest to misdemeanor battery charges.  The plea agreement came after the State Department denied the maid, Ismiyati Soryono, a visa to return to the US.  She had left in May for her mother's funeral.  According to the State Department, Soryono could not prove that she would not remain illegally in the US.  Many advocates point to this case as evidence of the failure of the new T visa, which was created to allow victims of smuggling and abuse to testify in court.

Despite being created a few years ago, none have yet been issued because of a lack of INS regulations.

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DESIRE: US-PASSPORT

In the wake of September 11, 2001, more immigrants are interested in U.S. citizenship. Many are motivated by patriotic feelings. Long-time permanent residents, having adopted the U.S. as their home, now feel the need to formalize that relationship by becoming citizens. Many other permanent residents fear the treatment that they may receive as non-citizens and are applying for U.S. citizenship as a way to protect their civil rights.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service released figures in July 2002 showing a 64 % increase in applications for naturalization in the months following the September 11th attacks, as compared to the same time period in 2000-01. Over half a million applications have been filed post 9/11. Due to increased scrutiny of applications and the required IBIS checks, however, there has been a bit of a drop in the number of applications actually completed. Still, the current delays are significantly less than they have been in prior years and should not discourage any eligible person from applying.

For those interested in becoming U.S. citizens, there are a number of advantages. These include an increased ease of travel and, of course, the ability to vote.

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5. SURF THE WEB: INTERESTING SITES

BED & BREAKFAST USA

A very informative site with a large directory of cheap bed and breakfast hotels all over the USA

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/search/Area.aspx?NodeID=753

"GROUND ZERO"
The former site of the World Trade Center in New York has been cleared for quite a while now. Reconstruction will begin soon. Watch animations of proposed plans for the World Trade Center site and vote among six options for the one you like most.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/07/16/wtc.site.plans/index.html

STARS AND STRIPES AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
You want to prepare yourself mentally for your immigration to the US? Read about the history of the US national anthem and even listen to it here:

http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/anthem.html

Daily Immigration-News

The American Dream also offers Immigration News from different American Newspapers on its website! All stories are updated at least once every day!

http://www.americandream.de/e_news/usa.html

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6.  STATE DEPARTMENT VISA  BULLETIN (official Version)

In this bulletin you can see the actual waiting periods for all kinds of categories in which you can apply for a Green Card. The three main categories are "Family based", "Employment based", and "Diversity Immigrant Category" (GreenCard Lottery). Especially in Family based categories the waiting period may exceed 10 years. GreenCard winners may read in this list, when, according to their case number, they may expect to be invited to the final interview at the consulate. We will publish the newest visa bulletin every month in this newsletter.
IMMIGRANT NUMBERS FOR OKTOBER 2002  

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS

1. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during October. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; the Immigration and Naturalization Service reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations were made, to the extent possible under the numerical limitations, for the demand received by September 9th in the chronological order of the reported priority dates. If the demand could not be satisfied within the statutory or regulatory limits, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. Only applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date may be allotted a number. Immediately that it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a cut-off date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new cut-off date.

2. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7 % of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2 %, or 7,320.

3. Section 203 of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of immigrant visas as follows:

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, and any unused first preference numbers:

A. Spouses and Children: 77 % of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75 % are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older): 23 % of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First: Priority Workers: 28.6 % of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6 % of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6 % of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to “Other Workers.“

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1 % of the worldwide level.

Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1 % of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of P.L. 102-395.

4. INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: MEXICO and PHILIPPINES.

5. On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); “C“ means current, i.e., numbers are available for all qualified applicants; and “U“ means unavailable, i.e., no numbers are available. (NOTE: Numbers are available only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.)

*NOTE: For October, 2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01FEB95. 2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are available to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01FEB95 and earlier than 15JUL97. (All 2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no 2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)

The Department of State has available a recorded message with visa availability information which can be heard at: (area code 202) 663-1541. This recording will be updated in the middle of each month with information on cut-off dates for the following month.  

B. DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides a maximum of up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit immigration opportunities for persons from countries other than the principal sources of current immigration to the United States. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.  

For October, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2003 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately

Region

AFRICA: AF 4,650
ASIA: AS 2,100
EUROPE: EU 8,100
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS): NA 7
OCEANIA: OC 100
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN: SA 336

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2003 program ends as of September 30, 2003. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2003 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2003 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2003. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2003 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. Once all numbers provided by law for the DV-2003 program have been used, no further issuances will be possible.

C. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN NOVEMBER

For November, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2003 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately

Region

AFRICA: AF 7,800
ASIA: AS 3,300
EUROPE: EU 14,000
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS): NA 8
OCEANIA: OC 150
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN: SA 475

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In the next newsletter we will have a new structure, including our STORY, a more entertaining part to relax you from visa issues, -changes and forms, the often boring but unfortunately necessary part of our newsletter. While this Visa—ABC had to reflect more current changes in immigration law and US-Consular practice, the next one will be focused on general information about specific visa categories.   It's also up to you to decide which topic you would like to have more profoundly described, so please tell us by e-mail which topic you wish to see discussed and we will be happy to write about it in one of our next issues. Please contact us: info@americandream.de   THE AMERICAN DREAM We work hard for your dreams! http://www.americandream.de