President Obama Signs Bill and Extends Programs

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the FY10 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill (P.L. 111-83). The law extends through September 30, 2012 the following programs: "Conrad 30" for J-1 waivers for physicians, the EB-5 Pilot Program for Regional Centers and E-Verify. It also extends the ability of non-minister religious workers to file Special Immigrant Religious Worker Petitions in order to obtain U.S. permanent residence.

Importance of the End of the Immigration Fiscal Year

Today is the end of the fiscal year for immigration, which runs from October 1 to September 30. The start of a new fiscal year is a significant event. New visa numbers become available, including new H-1B numbers and likely some new immigrant visa numbers for certain preference categories. It also means that the various immigration agencies (USCIS, CBP, ICE, State Department, etc.) tally the many immigration statistics (e.g., number of entries, number of immigrant visas issued, etc.), which they have been keeping all year.

September 30 is often the date chosen by Congress to sunset certain provisions in the law. Today marks the end (i.e., the sunset date) for obtaining U.S. permanent residence as a non-minster religious worker and through investment in one of the EB-5 Regional Centers. Hopefully, Congress will extend both of these worthwhile programs.