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DNA Testing May Be Required For US Immigration

Guest Posts, Immigration News

History clearly tells that immigration was not as we know it today. For many, being a citizen of the United States came naturally when their forefathers walked into the country via the New York Harbor. More than twelve million migrants have been assessed and permitted to walk in to the United States in the last sixty two years since the country’s immigration department has offered its services. This is as per the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation. These immigrants had to undergo a physical examination which was followed by identity verification. Of these, around ninety eight percent were granted permission to enter the country.

The concept of DNA testing was alien to the authorities then. The Bureau of Immigration was accountable for matching identities and ensuring that the right people have been allowed to pass through. They had to question the migrants and contrast their answers with the questionnaire that has been filled in prior.

However, with changing times and with the advent of technology, the mode of assessment has become sleeker than ever. With this, the department also emerged to be known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or commonly known as the USCIS. Today, the USCIS asks for a proof that could be verified better for an individual’s identity before granting a permit to enter.

Today, there are many ways to gain a permit to enter the United States. One such method is through having family relations. Immediate blood relatives such as those of parents, siblings or children who are US citizens could be verified for. In such a case, the US citizen is known as the petitioner and the foreign relative is called as the beneficiary. Here, evidence proving the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary has to be produced. This proof can be in the form of birth certificates, census or school records or any form of documentation which is relevant.

It is also agreed that there are instances where it is difficult to find any form of documentation. In fact, a fire led to the complete destruction of the first ever immigration records that were stored at the Ellis Island processing facility. Records that have been lost or misplaced due to natural disasters or due to negligent officials are common.

To cater to the above problem, the USCIS has come up with a more sound system of identity verification. And so came in the concept of DNA testing to state a particular blood relationship.

No other form of assessment can be better at judging the blood ties between any two individuals. Any accredited laboratory under the American Association of Blood Banks is capable of proving the relationship with an accuracy of ninety nine percent. Thus, a DNA test is best form of testing which makes the process of verification very precise. This test is required as evidence in case of sponsoring foreign nationals.

The test is a painless process where in a sample of the petitioner and the beneficiary’s DNA is taken. These samples are tested at specific laboratories that are designated by the USCIS. The results are then forwarded to the office of the Homeland Security. These reports act as proof for both the USCIS and the Department of State to verify the applicants.

Guest Post Author

Ajay Sharma is an immigration expert who provides his valuable advice to people seeking immigration in countries like Canada, Denmark, USA, Australia and many others. With years of experience under his belt, he is the principal immigration consultant of ABHINAV.com, which is in business since 1994. Over the years, Abhinav has continually stood the test of time and has helped its clients in accomplishing their relocation dreams to foreign lands, successfully and smoothly.

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L2 Visa Extension & Renewal Process

Guest Posts, Visa Info

An L-2 non-immigrant visa is a dependent visa category available for the immediate family members, i.e., spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of L-1 visa holders who wish to enter the U.S.

L-2 visa holders can live in the United States for the entire length of time authorized in their spouse’s L-1 visa. L-2 visa holders are responsible to extend L-2 status if their spouse’s L-1 visa has expired, and they intend to continually live in the United States with their spouse. You may travel in and out of the U.S. on L-2 visa as long as you maintain valid status, and the principal L visa holder maintains his or her status. You may attend school in the U.S. while on L-2 status.

Under U.S. immigration law, L-2 visa holders can apply for work authorization upon entering the United States. L-2 spouse of an L-1 visa holder can obtain a general Employment Authorization. The employment authorization must be applied separately by the L-2 spouse. The L-2 child is not permitted to work.

To extend your stay in the United States, you should file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status, with USCIS before your visa expires. If you are unsure of your current departure date, check the date on Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to find out how long you are allowed to stay in the country. USCIS recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires, but the USCIS Service Center must receive your Form I-539 application by the day your authorized stay expires.

If an employer files a Form I-129 to extend the status of L-1 visa holder, and the L-2 spouse and/or unmarried children under age 21 also want to extend L-2 status, they will need to file a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status. While the dependents of L-1 cannot be included on Form I-129 they can all be included on one Form I-539 to extend L-2 status.

After you have submitted Form I-539 application to extend L-2 status, USCIS will mail you a receipt. This receipt will provide a number assigned to track your Form I-539 application, as well as the projected processing time. An extension of stay is not automatic. USCIS will look at your situation, your status, the reasons you want to extend L-2 status, and will decide whether to grant your Form I-539 application.

If your application is received by USCIS before your status expires, and if you have not violated the terms of your status and meet the basic eligibility requirements, you may continue your previously approved activities in the United States (including previously authorized work) for a maximum period of 240 days, or until a decision is made by USCIS on your application or the reason for your requested extension has been accomplished.

If your Form I-539 application for an extension is approved, you will be issued a replacement I-94 with a new departure date

Guest Post Author

Immigrationdirect.com is a company that provide assistance for those who want to process their Green card replacement, Green card and Green card for children application easy and fast online.

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