John Stahl

The online registration for DV-2012 began October 5, 2010 and ended November 3, 2010. Entrants who completed online DV-2012 entries can check the status of their entries by returning to the website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov on or after May 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012.

Entry Status Check will be the ONLY means by which DV lottery winners/selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2012. Additionally, Entry Status Check will provide you, the successful selectee, instructions on how to proceed with your application and notify you of the date and time of your immigrant visa appointment.

The Kentucky Consular Center will no longer mail notification letters to DV selectees. Those selected in the random drawing are NOT notified of their selection by email. The above procedures are explained in the DV Lottery 2012 Instructions. The “Selection of Applicants” section of the DV instructions provides information about the DV time frame and process.

It is expected that the next application period for the DV Lottery (DV-2013) will be between October and December this year. Official dates, rules and eligible countries should be announced by late September. For more information, go to the official US State Department website at www.dvlottery.state.gov. You may also contact our office in the early fall for more information and assistance to complete another application. Be aware that the application for the DV lottery is free and you do not need to pay any agency to enter.

On April 6, 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner issued a directive to resume sending letters to employers and employees when there is a mismatch between an employee’s name and their Social Security number. As before, the new mismatch letter cautions employers that it is not a basis in of itself for an employer to take any adverse action (laying off, suspending, firing, etc.) and makes no statement about an employee’s immigration status. A FAQ on the SSA website provides further information.

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) has also published on its website revised guidance regarding how employers can respond to notices indicating that an employee’s name and Social Security number (SSN) do not match information on record. These notices include Social Security Administration (SSA) “no-match” letters, usually issued in response to an employee wage report, which advise that the name or SSN reported by the employer for one or more employees does not “match” a name or SSN combination reflected in SSA’s records. In addition, other organizations, including other government agencies, commercial businesses, and third party entities, issue notices or provide alerts similar to SSA no-match letters. SSA sends three types of no-match letters: (1) a letter sent directly to a worker at his or her home; (2) one sent to an employer about an individual employee when SSA does not have the employee’s correct home address; and (3) one sent to an employer about multiple employees when at least ten employees during the year, or one-half of one percent of the employer’s workforce, have mismatched records. This final type of letter was last issued by the SSA in October 2007.

Reports or alerts from other sources, such as commercial businesses that conduct employee background checks, third party identity theft inquiries, and health care providers, should be treated cautiously, because the organizations may not have access to current information contained in SSA’s databases. In responding to a no-match letter from a source other than SSA, an employer should, at a minimum, follow the same policies, procedures, and timelines as it does for SSA no-match letters.

OSC’s guidance is part of a packet of information developed with input from SSA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The packet includes no-match information for employees, no-match information for employers, and “Frequently Asked Questions.” The guidance emphasizes that, on its own, the receipt of an SSA no-match letter is not a sufficient basis to terminate, suspend or take any other adverse action against an employee. Instead, upon receipt of a no-match letter, employers should periodically meet with employees and work to resolve the no-match, allowing a reasonable period of time for such resolution.

The guidance packet is available here. For more information regarding the receipt of a no-match letter, contact OSC at 1-800-255-8155 or visit our website athttp://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc.

The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. All applicants should be familiar with information about DV scams provided by the Federal Trade Commission. Applicants are encouraged to review the rules and procedures for the DV program so that you know what to expect, when to expect it, and from whom.

Finally, remember that all DV-2012 applicants will not receive a notification letter from the U.S. government but must check their status online. DV Entry Status Check  will only be provided through the Department of State secure online site, http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.

See the official U.S. State Department website for more information

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Do it today.

If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law. According to law, a man must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Selective Service will accept late registrations but not after a man has reached age 26. You may be denied benefits or a job if you have not registered. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number.When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636.

If you have a social security number, you can register online (click here). It’s quick and easy.