Magyar News, 1993. szeptember-1994. augusztus (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1993-09-01 / 1. szám
ASK IMMIGRATION by John Weiss (Q) The system for applying for permanent immigrant visas seems very complicated. Can you explain simply how the different categories of immigrant visas work? (A) There are nine different categories of immigrant visas based on family relationships. In addition, there are five different categories of visas issued based on employment. I will briefly discuss those visas issued on the basis of family relationships and leave the employment visas for another column. There are five categories of visas issued on the basis of relationship to a U.S. citizen, which have no numerical limitation in the law. In other words, there is no formal waiting period except for the time it takes to process the applications by the immigration service and the state department. These categories are: (1) spouses of U.S. citizens (2) children (under 21) of U.S. citizens (3 and 4) orphans coming to the U.S. for adoption or adopted abroad by U.S. citizens (5) parents of U.S. citizens (over 21 years of age). The documentation required to prove the relationships differ in each case and instructions can be found on Form 1-130. The remainder of visas issued based on family relationships are subject to a numerical limit each year set in the law. These are called family sponsored preferences. First preference is unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of U.S. citizens. These are limited generally to just over 23,000 per year. Second preference is spouses and children and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens. Over 114,000 of these visas are issued yearly. Third preference are married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Over 23,000 of these visas are issued each year. Fourth preference are brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens over age 21. Over 65,000 of these visas are issued each year. In addition to these preference categories, 55,000immigrant visas are being made available to spouses and children of persons legalized under the amnesty program begun in 1986. This special category will end in 1994. Also there are limits for the number of visas issued to citizens of individual countries (in general, 20,000 per country). So for example, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, who had applications filed for them in February 1984 are only now being processed for visas. However, if that brother or sister was bom in Mexico, the visa petition would have had to have been filed in May 1981, in order for that person to receive a visa. The state department not the immigration service is responsible for maintaining the allotment system. As a reminder, all petitions for visas in any of these categories must be filed on Form I- 130. In addition, in the family sponsored preference system, spouses and children of the relative being petitioned for are also eligible for visas in that category. 6 'Eoton of Jfairfielb FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT 06430 Jacquelyn C. Durrell First Selectman July 20, 1993 Editor The Hungarian News Dear Sir : Last November, my husband and I had the honor of being invited to Tatabanya for a dedication ceremony. This was a result of the Town of Fairfield's Sister City relationship with the City of Tatabanya. To culminate that relationship, we are inviting two students to come to Fairfield in late August. One of the students, Tamas Beer, who is 17 years old, will be attending Greens Farms Academy and is to be hosted by Maria Tomasky and her family. Tamas will be returning to Tatabanya at the end of this year in order to graduate from high school in Tatabanya. The other student, Agnes Szabó, age 16, will be attending Fairfield High School for the entire school year. She will be hosted by Olga Rethy and her family for the first half of her stay and then by Maria Tomasky from January through June. Agnes will be entering her junior year when she arrives in Fairfield. Both Agnes and Tamas are accomplished musical students. Agnes plays the oboe and piano, while Tamas is an excellent jazz musician. The Town of Fairfield is anxiously awaiting the arrival of these two fine young people. We sincerely hope that their stay in Fairfield and the United States is a very memorable and happy one. Very truly yours Jacqueilyn C. Durrell First Selectman CSARDAS AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN FOOD Arpi and Orchestra play gypsy music every night 253 Main Street Danbury Take-Out Reservations 794-9300 CLOSED MONDAYS 792-0029 ^ ^ We validate parkin^jatthe Patriot Garage^ _ _ _
