Borders/Immig

Italian minister wants to bring back border checks
The new conservative governing coalition in Italy wants to re-impose border checks in order to stem illegal immigration into the country; measure would violate the strictures of passport-free Schengen zone agreement
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Consulting firm settles H-1B discrimination case
Against the backdrop of growing controversy over the H1-B visa program, Department of Justice fines consulting firm which advertised computer jobs for H1-B visa holders only; company was accused of discriminating against qualified U.S. workers who would have been eligible for the jobs
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Government, industry to meet 21-22 May at Global Border Security event
More than 1,000 stakeholders from the public and private sectors will gather for Global Border Security 2008 conference and expo on 21-22 May in Austin, Texas; more than 100 companies will showcase latest border security technology
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Security ahead of risk at the border, II
In a ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was allowed to continue its practice of warrantless searches through computer data held by U.S. citizens and foreigners alike; with this in mind, an expert offers practical ideas on how to handle sensitive corporate — and personal — information as one crosses into the United States
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CBP sesntivie information search policy is wrong, I
Yes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s warrantless search policy at the border has been upheld by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but it is still the wrong policy; business people should do something about it
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Border security, economic downturn slow down illegal immigration
U.S. economic downturn and tighter border security have led to a steady decline in illegal immigration from Mexico; fewer immigrants who go back to Mexico try to return
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DHS delays TWIC compliance date
DHS pushes (the department says “realigns”) TWIC compliance date from 15 October 2008 to 15 April 2009; industry, port wanted more time; some ports will have to comply with original deadline
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Department of Transportation launches DOT blog
The U.S. Department of transportation launches Fast Lane, a departmental blog aiming to air the views of department’s big-wigs, but also to offer a forum for guest bloggers from government, industry, and the transportation community
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Government scrapping virtual fence on Arizona-Mexico border
Boeing’s Project 28 — showcasing advanced technologies to be used in making U.S. borders more secure — was hobbled from the start by technological glitches and delays; it delivered much less than what was promised, and DHS decides to scrap it
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DHS proposes biometric airport and seaport exit procedures
Moving to implement one more recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, DHS announces that by 30 June 2009 all visitors leaving the United States will have their biometric details taken and recorded
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U.K. to set up massive national drivers' surveillance scheme
Hundreds of monitoring stations would be used to track cars every five seconds — with daily itemized accounts of all trips made by Britain’s thirty million drivers; move is part of a national pay-as-you-drive road pricing plan; government says plan will reduce congestion and pollution
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Quota for visas for professionals met on first day; lottery set
US authorities said Tuesday they had received too many applications for a visa program for skilled workers for the coming year, meaning a random lottery will determine the winners
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EU drops border security controls with 9 more countries
Nine more countries enter the Schengen area as of Sunday; air border checks will no longer be necessary for European passengers to go to of from these new area members
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U.S. hi-tech companies brace for new squeeze on high-tech visas
U.S. companies can apply for H1-B visa for a skilled foreign employee beginning 1 April for the fiscal year which begins 1 October; last year, all 65,000 H1-B visas were filled on the first day of application; tomorrow will be no different
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As Real ID kicks in 11 May, some states may be left in limbo
Beginning 11 May, individuals who want to enter federal buildings or board a plane will have to show a state driver’s license complying with the Real ID Act — unless their state has been granted an extension by DHS (the extension is until 11 October 2009); Maine and South Carolina do not have Real ID-compliant licenses, and they are yet to apply for an extension (the deadline is today)
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