US Permanent Residence to be Extended by 2 Years

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has decided to automatically extend the validity of permanent residency to two years if immigrants with permanent residency apply for renewal (I-90) on time before the expiry date of their current green card.

USCIS said in a press release last week that it would implement the policy. This measure came into effect on September 26, last year.

USCIS, which is experiencing a severe backlog in immigration application documents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has implemented a measure to automatically extend the validity period of existing permanent residence cards for one year from the expiration date for permanent residency renewal applicants. However, this time the period has been doubled to two years.

This measure is intended to relieve applicants who have applied for permanent resident card renewal before the expiration date of their permanent resident card and have not been issued a new permanent resident card due to a backlog of procedures.

USCIS specifies that the two-year automatic extension of the validity period of the permanent resident card is specified in the notice of receipt to applicants who file Form I-90 to renew their permanent resident status, so that permanent residents who file the renewal application will receive this notice even after the expiration date.

Meanwhile, USCIS is implementing a measure that automatically extends the validity period of the work permit (EAD) to a maximum of 540 days from last May as a similar measure.

If you apply for renewal before the expiration of the validity period of your work permit (EAD), even if you do not get approval, the temporary regulation is in place to automatically extend the validity period up to 540 days after the expiration date. The period has been extended to 360 days, which has been increased to three times.

This measure is also due to the fact that the number of backlog of work permit applications (I-765) has reached 1.5 million since the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in cases in which applicants for work permit renewal who did not get approval in time are inevitably forced to stop working or take a leave of absence. There is it followed.

Applications for renewal of work permits can be made up to six months before the expiration of the deadline. USCIS estimates that more than 400,000 foreign workers with work permits will benefit from the extension of the automatic extension of work permits.

Seattle Sweats Through one of the Driest Summers on Record

As the United States enters fall on the 22nd and cool weather continues, Seattle residents recorded the driest days this summer.

The Seattle Weather Service (NWS) said this summer was officially the driest in Seattle with the least rain since meteorological observations.

The NWS reports that 0.5 inches of precipitation fell in Seattle in 93 days this summer. In particular, more than a third of the 0.5 inches of rain fell on a single day on September 16.

In the summer of 2017, it was only 0.52 inches, but most of the summer since then it has rained at least 1.25 inches.

Some records regarding heat were also broken this summer.

On September 10th, the temperature recorded 90 degrees, and for the first time in history, the number of days exceeding 90 degrees exceeded 13 days. That said, it was the year with the most heatwaves.

In Seattle, the highest temperature recently exceeds 90 degrees frequently.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, there have been 246 days of exceeding 90 degrees since the Seattle area began monitoring temperatures in 1945, but more than half of these occurred in the last 20 years.

In particular, on June 28, 2021, the temperature exceeded 108 degrees and was recorded as the highest temperature since meteorological observations.

The temperature this weekend will stay around 70 degrees, and after the twinkling heat passes early next week, most will stay in the 70 degrees. In particular, the 25th, which is Sunday, is the last day when the sunset time is after 7pm.

The smoke from the wildfires that had covered the Seattle area in recent days was mostly lifted by coastal winds on the 22nd, restoring normal atmospheric conditions.

Mexico Ends Trump Administration Hardline Immigration Policy

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 25th (local time) that it has officially ended the hardline immigration policy process introduced by the former administration of Donald Trump.

In a statement released on the same day, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the fact that the ‘Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)’ were repealed, saying, “The regulations unilaterally implemented in the United States are not currently in progress.”

The policy, introduced by former President Trump to deter immigrants from traveling to the United States, is aimed at requiring migrants seeking asylum in the United States to wait in Mexico while the process is being carried out.

The regulation was one of the diplomatic issues with Mexico, but the US Supreme Court upheld the government’s hand on President Joe Biden’s declaration of abandonment on June 30. The trial was conducted by filing lawsuits in Texas and Missouri to the effect that ‘cannot be abolished’.

Prior to this, the Mexican immigration authorities banned the entry of immigrants from the MPP program on June 19 in response to an appeal from the Immigration Office in Tijuana, Baja California (the border between the United States) that there was ‘a lack of space’.

The Mexican government said, “On August 8, the US Department of Homeland Security informed us that the MPP was ending in accordance with a court decision.” Until then, we will ensure their safe stay.”

Foreign officials also said that four first arrived in the United States over the weekend in connection with a new humanitarian permit program for Venezuelan immigrants signed with the United States.

The U.S. recently decided to accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants who enter the country by air after legal procedures such as having a financial guarantor and getting vaccinated.

“Hundreds of flights have been approved and more than 7,000 applications have been received,” said Roberto Velasco Alvarez, director of North America at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “He emphasized.

Alaska Floods in the Aftermath of Typhoon ‘Merbok’

A disaster area declaration has been called after storm caused by typhoon ‘Merbok’ hit the coast of Alaska on the 18th of September.

The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Disaster Response Authority issued flood warnings on the western and northern coasts of Alaska on the 18th, urging residents to evacuate.

Although Mr Bok was weakened by a low-pressure storm, it brought the strongest rain and wind to Alaska in more than a decade as it headed north into the Bering Strait.

Strong winds of up to 146 km/h were measured in coastal areas, and the high tide in some seaside towns exceeded 3.3 meters.

Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster zone the night before.

According to the provincial government, no casualties have been reported so far, but about 450 people in coastal areas have been evacuated as seawater overflowed due to rising sea levels.

Alaska State Senator Lisa Murkowski said many coastal towns, including Bethel and Nom, were submerged.

Disaster authorities said they are tallying up the exact status of damage, saying that reports of flooding, damage, and power outages have been received in several villages.

Biden ‘Will Not Hesitate to Take Steps to Protect Americans’

President Joe Biden said on the 11th, the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, “I will never hesitate to take the necessary steps to protect the American people.”

President Biden said at a memorial service in front of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., “We will continue to monitor and block the activities of terrorists.”

“The war in Afghanistan is over, but our promise to prevent another attack from occurring in the United States has no end,” he said.

President Biden also praised the actions of the American people during the 9/11 attacks, saying, “The average American responded in an extraordinary and unexpected way. said.

“Unlike other countries, America is built on values ​​that are based on the values ​​’All people are born equal and should be treated equally throughout their lives,'” he said. We did not give up. This is what makes us strong.”

“We have a duty to defend democracy,” he said. “It’s not enough to keep democracy once a year, or sometimes, and it’s something we have to do every day,” he said. “Today is not just a day to remember the past; It is a day that renews our resolve to dedicate ourselves to America and democracy.”

President Biden’s mention of defending democracy is interpreted as having in mind the November midterm elections.

President Biden recently emphasized the ‘far-right MAGA Republican Party’ symbolized by former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, emphasizing support for the Democrats to defend democracy.

President Biden said in a speech that shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of consolation saying that ‘sorrow is the price of love’ and that “on a day like today the price feels too high.” did.

Meanwhile, before the event, President Biden was asked if there were any plans for this, saying, “A lot of people want justice for those responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the Guantanamo concentration camp for 20 years.” ‘ he replied.

When asked about Ukraine’s counterattack against Russia, he said, “I know, but I won’t comment because it’s ongoing.”

Labor Day Aviation Crisis, Flights Delayed and Cancelled

During the Labor Day holiday in the United States, which runs until the 5th, the airline turmoil continues in the United States.

According to flight tracking site FlightAware on the 4th, a total of 346 flights were canceled in the United States from the 2nd to the 5th, which corresponds to the Labor Day holiday as of the evening of the previous day.

The number of flights delayed for two days from the 2nd also reached 8,228.

Including international flights, a total of 7,263 flights were canceled during the four days. There were 35,382 flights delayed for two days.

On the morning of the 4th, 8,888 flights including international flights were delayed, and 1,985 cancellations were made.

In the U.S. airline industry, which reduced air routes and cut manpower during the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic, a heap of flight cancellations continued after the return to daily life was expanded as the COVID-19 situation eased.

Starting with Memorial Day (Remembrance Day, May 30), when the summer vacation season begins in earnest, traveler damage is increasing every holiday before and after major anniversaries.

More than 7,000 flights were canceled during the Memorial Day holiday, and more than 1,400 flights were canceled and more than 14,000 delayed for four days over the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

Airline demand has increased, but airlines are reluctant to hire manpower for fear of a future economic downturn and strikes and sabotage of pilots and airline employees whose work has skyrocketed frequently occur, making the situation even worse.

As dissatisfaction has been pouring in, the politicians are also seeking relief measures.

Some Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, have also introduced a related bill that would require airlines to compensate customers within 30 days of sudden cancellations or other damage.

California to Ban Sales of Internal Combustion Engines by 2035

The state of California will ban the sale of new cars that use internal combustion engines, such as gasoline, by 2035.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 24th that California’s environmental regulator, the Air Resources Commission (CARC), is due to take effect soon.

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in 2020 to devise a plan to only sell cars with “zero” emissions powered by electricity or hydrogen.

When this plan goes into effect, the proportion of new electric and hydrogen vehicles in California, which is currently 12%, will increase to 100% from 2035.

The plan also includes an interim goal of increasing the proportion of new electric and hydrogen vehicles to 35% by 2026 and 68% by 2030.

However, the measure only applies to new car sales and does not prevent Californians from owning or selling used cars after 2035.

At least 12 states are likely to introduce regulations identical to California’s plan to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines, the New York Times reported.

“If we take bold steps to eradicate carbon pollution, we can solve the climate crisis,” Governor Newsom said in his statement.

The auto industry is uneasy about California’s plans.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovations (AAI), which represents the interests of the auto industry, responded, “Achieving the plan will be a significant challenge.”

To sell eco-friendly cars, fuel charging facilities such as electricity and hydrogen must be installed, and prerequisites such as lithium and cobalt, which are necessary for battery production, must be sufficiently secured.

The AAI has called for federal support for the development and sale of eco-friendly vehicles.

The Frequency of US Shootings is Unacceptable

The recent series of deadly shootings in the Seattle area “can never be tolerated and Seattle should be a city where safety is an innate right,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell.

At a press conference on the 15th of August, Harrell reaffirmed his belief that the shooting tragedy should be stopped not only in Seattle but also nationwide, and that we need to increase the number of police officers and strengthen the laws related to gun control in Washington state.

During the weekend, from the 12th to the evening of the 14th, a total of seven shootings occurred in Seattle and Renton, killing one person and injuring 12 others. In a shooting near a pub near the T-Mobile Stadium, about 80 shots were fired indiscriminately, leaving an innocent 14-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Five of the 12 gunmen who were treated at Harborview Medical Center over the weekend were in critical condition and moved to an intensive care unit, a hospital spokeswoman said. The ages of these 12 people ranged from 14 to 34 years old.

The King County Coroner’s Office identified the man who was murdered early in the morning of 13th near Carl Anderson Park on Capitol Hill as Mercer Roe. On the side of the road opposite the park, there was a temporary memorial for Roy decorated with flowers and candles.

The Seattle Times added that Roy was the 36th victim to be murdered in Seattle this year, a pace faster than last year, when 41 people were killed in shootings. Last year, there were fewer than 53 in 2020 the previous year.

Across King County, shootings left 42 people dead and 170 injured by the end of June. Last year, 88 people died and 372 were injured. This is a significant increase from 2020, when 69 people were killed and 268 were injured.

Mayor Harrell said at a press conference that the crux of the problem was very simple: “There are too many guns and the bad guys have too many guns.”

Harrell had set a goal of adding 500 more Seattle police officers and had requested $2 million in incentives to recruit new officers and hire experienced officers. The city council will consider it this week.

The number of Seattle Police Department personnel, which stood at 1,300 between 2013 and 2019, is currently below 1,000, with 400 resigning or retiring after 2020, The Times reported.

Extra Employment Permanent Residency Permits Available

According to a recent report by National Law Review, the number of permanent residence permits available for employment in the federal government’s fiscal year 2022, which ends in September, is about 280,000, double the 140,000 per year prescribed by regulations.

According to the media and immigration lawyers, the Federal State Department and the U.S. Immigration Services Agency (USCIS) set the maximum quota for permanent residency for employment in fiscal 2022 at an all-time high of more than 280,000. This is because about 140,000 unused family immigration quotas in fiscal 2021 were carried over, National Raw Review explained.

According to the federal immigration law, the annual permanent residency quota is set at 140,000 for employment immigrants and 226,000 for family immigrants. If there is any unused portion in the family immigration quota, it will be possible to increase the employment immigration permanent residence quota by the number of unused portions in the next fiscal year.

However, due to the delay in processing of permanent residency by the Federal Immigration Service due to the COVID-19 pandemic in fiscal 2021, about 140,000 family immigration permanent residency quotas were not filled.

Due to the corona crisis, this phenomenon also appeared in the last fiscal year, and as of fiscal 2021, the total number of employment migrants and permanent residency quotas amounted to 262,288, including the unused quota for family immigration in the previous fiscal year. However, due to the backlog of immigration procedures, 66,781 employment immigration quotas were not used during the 2021 fiscal year quota, immigration law lawyers said.

However, it is explained that there is no provision in the immigration law that, unlike the family immigration permanent residence quota, the unused portion of the employment immigration quota can be carried over to the next year.

As the extra quota in the work-immigrant sector has increased, the State Department and USCIS are said to be able to expedite the processing of employment-immigrant-permanent residency applications by the end of the fiscal year by the end of September so that as many cases as possible can be processed.

In this regard, the State Department and the USCIS were counted as having exhausted their quota for a total of 176,281 employment immigrants as of June 30, when the third quarter of fiscal 2022 ended. As a result, there are still more than 100,000 quotas for employment immigration permanent residency that can be used until the end of September, when fiscal year 2022 ends.

Elon Musk to Build a Private Airport Near Texas Headquarters

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is planning to build a private airport near its Austin, Texas headquarters, Fox Business reported on the 2nd.

Fox Business reported that Musk is planning to build an airport for himself and Tesla and its affiliates in Basturb, about 32 kilometers east of Austin, where Tesla’s headquarters and Gigafactory plant are located, Fox Business quoted a report from Austonia, a Texas-area newspaper.

However, he added that the size of the airport and the opening date have not been decided yet as it is still in the planning stage.

In Texas, Tesla’s headquarters and Gigafactory, which were moved from California last year, are in Frugerville, about 32km north of Austin.

SpaceX also has large, major facilities in southern Texas, which Musk calls the “gateway to Mars.”

Austin International Airport is only about 8 km south of Tesla’s headquarters, but it is known that Austin’s recent population surge has caused a significant increase in traffic, causing problems.

Musk frequently uses the 2015 Gulfstream G650 model and plans to introduce the newest model early next year, Ostonia said.