Our blog provides an inside-out view of what we do every day at DHS.
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Avoid Scams
The CIS Ombudsman's Office is warning the public that there is a fraud scam using the CIS Ombudsman's telephone number and that individuals should never give personal information over the phone to an individual claiming to be an Ombudsman official.
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Why I Value the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)
What do contracts for a U.S. Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter, a U.S. Secret Service presidential limousine and Federal Emergency Management Agency housing inspection services have in common? All of the contracts have a DHS Contracting Officer’s Representative, or COR.
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Teleconference Summary: InfoMod
On February 14, 2019, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (Ombudsman) hosted a teleconference with speakers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to discuss how the agency is changing the way it provides support services to applicants. USCIS is calling this initiative the Information Services Modernization Program, or InfoMod for short.
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CIS Ombudsman Partners with USCIS to Inform Public on the Release of a Revised Form I-539
Earlier this month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its plan to release a revised Form I-539 and Form I-539A, Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (edition date 02/04/19) on March 11, 2019. The revised form makes several changes, including the addition of signature and biometrics fee requirements.
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Tenacity and Partnership Leads to Change in AP Processing
After close collaboration with USCIS, in November 2018, Director Cissna approved a change in policy that upheld the original interpretation while giving meaning to the instructions: "If you file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to request an advance parole document and depart the United States without possession of an advance parole document that is valid for the entire time you are abroad, your Form I-131 will be considered abandoned. At times, an individual may have an approved advance parole document while a second one is pending. Individuals may travel on the approved advance parole document, provided the document is valid for the entire duration of their time abroad. The pending Form I-131 will not be considered abandoned in this situation." Our office was pleased that our tenacity, coupled with a strong partnership with our colleagues at USCIS, helped the Ombudsman’s Office make a meaningful impact on the stakeholders in our immigration system.
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Law Enforcement Hiring - Spread the Word!
The Department’s compelling mission draws candidates seeking to join a team that makes a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. The threats and challenges facing the Department and the Nation are complex and constantly evolving. Now more than ever, DHS must recruit, develop, and retain a talented and diverse workforce.
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Tips for Effectively Communicating with the Whole Community in Disasters
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners remain in close coordination with state, local, and tribal governments to coordinate and provide resources as needed in connection with preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation associated with Hurricane Harvey impacting Texas and Louisiana.
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Reverse Industry IV: Enhancing Communications to Drive Mission Excellence
On June 28, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) successfully hosted our fourth Reverse Industry Day, which convened nearly 450 DHS acquisition professionals and industry representatives alike.
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DHS Published Rulemaking on Nondiscrimination in Matters Pertaining to Faith-Based Organizations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published in the Federal Register a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on Nondiscrimination in Matters Pertaining to Faith-Based Organizations. Following an initial proposal published in 2008, DHS proposes to issue a rule to ensure that faith-based organizations may compete on an equal footing with other organizations for direct federal financial assistance for which they are otherwise eligible, and to allow those groups to fully participate in federally supported social service programs, while beneficiaries under those programs also receive appropriate protections. The proposed rule would implement policy set forth in Executive Orders issued by President Barack Obama and by President George W. Bush, including Executive Order 13559, Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships with Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations (November 17, 2010).