USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning April 1, 2016

USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning April 1, 2016

USCIS Reminds Petitioners to Follow Regulatory Requirements

WASHINGTON – On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.

The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.

USCIS expects to receive more than 65,000 petitions during the first five business days of this year’s program. The agency will monitor the number of petitions received and notify the public when the H-1B cap has been met. If USCIS receives an excess of petitions during the first five business days, the agency will use a computer-generated lottery system to randomly select the number of petitions required to meet the cap. USCIS will reject all unselected petitions that are subject to the cap as well as any petitions received after the cap has closed.

Premium Processing for Cap-Subject Petitions

H-1B petitioners may still continue to request premium processing together with their H-1B petition. However, please note that USCIS has temporarily adjusted its current premium processing practice based on historic premium processing receipt levels and the possibility that the H-1B cap will be met in the first five business days of the filing season. In order to prioritize data entry for cap-subject H-1B petitions, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap-subject petitions requesting premium processing no later than May 16, 2016.

Filing Petitions

H-1B petitioners are reminded that when the temporary employment or training will be in different locations, the state where your company or organization’s primary office is located will determine where you should send your Form I-129 package, regardless of where in the United States the various worksites are located. Please ensure that when temporary employment or training will be in different locations, the address on page 1, part 1 of Form I-129 is for your organization’s primary office. Please note that when listing a “home office” as a work site location on Part 5, question 3, USCIS will consider this a separate and distinct work site location.

H-1B petitioners must follow all statutory and regulatory requirements as they prepare petitions in order to avoid delays in processing and possible requests for evidence. USCIS has developed detailed information, including an optional checklist, Form M-735, Optional Checklist for Form I-129 H-1B Filings, on how to complete and submit an FY 2017 H-1B petition. The optional checklist for FY 2017 will be available within the next week.

Cases will be considered accepted on the date USCIS receives a properly filed petition with the appropriate fees.

For more information on the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and current Form I-129 processing times, visit the H-1B FY 2017 Cap Season Web page or call the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 or 800-767-1833 (TDD for the hearing impaired). We encourage H-1B applicants to subscribe to the H-1B Cap Season email updates located on the H-1B FY 2017 Cap Season Web page.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS DRIVERS TO RECEIVE $7.4 MILLION IN RELIEF ON HIGH-INTEREST AUTO LOANS FROM TWO LENDERS

THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS DRIVERS TO RECEIVE $7.4 MILLION IN RELIEF ON HIGH-INTEREST AUTO LOANS FROM TWO LENDERSAG’s Office Has Now Recovered More Than $12 Million for Consumers Relating to High-Interest Auto Loans

BOSTON – Two national auto lenders have agreed to provide a total of $7.4 million in relief to thousands of Massachusetts consumers over allegations they charged excessive interest rates on their subprime auto loans, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The AG’s Office has now recovered more than $12 million for consumers in the last several months in settlements relating to high-interest auto loans.

“There are protections in place to ensure that consumers who take out auto loans are treated fairly and not forced to pay illegal and excessive interest rates,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to make sure that these protections under state law are applied properly so that consumers are not exploited by predatory practices.” 

Under the terms of the assurances of discontinuance, filed Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, American Credit Acceptance, LLC (ACA) and Westlake Services, LLC (Westlake) have agreed to eliminate interest on certain loans they purchased that allegedly included excessive interest rates due to the inclusion of so-called GAP coverage. The lenders have also agreed to forgive outstanding interest on the loans and reimburse consumers for the interest they have already paid on the debts. 

The Attorney General’s Office has identified approximately $1.7 million in relief for ACA loans, and approximately $5.7 million in relief relating to Westlake loans. Under the settlements, additional audit work will determine if other loans are also subject to refunds. More than two thousand Massachusetts consumers will benefit from the settlements. On average, the settlement will provide each consumer with approximately $3,000 in relief. 

Under the settlements, the lenders will also pay $225,000 to pay for implementation of the agreements.

Consumers in these cases were overcharged because of GAP fees. These fees caused the effective interest rates on the loans to exceed the 21 percent state interest cap. GAP is a product that is intended to limit the shortfall between the payment on an auto insurance claim and the amount the borrower owes on a car loan in the event the financed vehicle is totaled. GAP is sold by car dealers as an add-on product and is often financed in the auto loan. 

This case is part of an ongoing subprime loan review initiative by the Attorney General’s Office. Previously, as part of this initiative, the Attorney General announced a $5.4 million settlement with Santander USA Holdings Inc. also relating to GAP fees and excessive interest.

波士頓市特別選舉選民登記截止日期 3/23

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE REMINDER FOR SPECIAL STATE PRIMARY FOR FIRST SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX SENATE DISTRICTS

BOSTON Individuals can register to vote either in person at City Hall's Boston Election Department room 241, at the City Hall to Go truck, by mail, online(http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/), or through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. To be qualified to register to vote, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. The April 12 Special State Primary is not a citywide election and only includes the following areas in  Boston's 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District: East Boston, All precincts ( Ward 1 Precincts 1-14), Chinatown, Downtown and the North End (Ward 3 Precincts 1-4, 6 & 8), and   Bay Village and Beacon Hill (Ward 5 Precincts 1, 3, 4, 5 & 11). For those who are already registered but have either moved recently, are interested in changing party enrollment, or other changes to their registration, those changes should be made prior to the March 23 deadline. It is also recommended those eligible to vote in the Special State Primary check their voter status to ensure that they are active. If a voter's status is inactive that is an indication that the voter did not responded to the last annual city census. Voters may also check their registration status, as well as their ward and precinct assignment online here. The Boston Election Department is currently conducting the 2016 city census and has been mailing response forms to residents, it is very important that every household be counted, and they may respond by phone, mail, or onlinehere.    For more information, voters should contact the Boston Election Department at617-635-3767, email   Election@boston.gov, follow the Boston Election Department on Twitter (at @BostonElections) and Facebook (at Boston Election Department), or visit the Boston Elections Department Boston City Hall in room 241 to receive election updates.

摩頓市將辦兩場申辦地鐵耆英查理卡說明會

摩頓市長葛帝生（Gary Christenson），麻州眾議員 Steve Ultrino將於3月22日，在摩頓耆英中心舉辦兩場“地鐵查理卡耆英套票”說明會，一場在早上10點半，一場在下午一點。

麻州眾議員Steve Ultrino及其屬下將在場協助耆英更新，申辦地鐵耆英套票。

凡年滿65歲以上耆英，有意申辦地鐵查理卡（CharlieCard）者，應攜帶有效麻州身分證或護照出席。

耆英查理卡可讓耆英以半價搭乘本地巴士，亦即原價1.6元，持卡者只要80分。搭乘市內快捷巴士，原價3.65元，持卡耆英只要2.35元，市外快捷巴士，原價5.25元，持卡耆英只要3.4元。

搭乘原價2.1元的地鐵 （MBTA），持卡耆英只要1.05元。搭通勤火車或船，都半價，到波士頓羅根國際機場也可享折扣價。

耆英也可購買名為“LinkPass“的月票。原價75元，耆英購買只需29元，可不限次數的搭乘巴士及地鐵。不過，快捷巴士、通勤火車或船都沒有折扣月票。

MBTA CharlieCard Senior Program at Senior Center

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

State Representative Steve Ultrino along with Mayor Gary Christenson will hold an MBTA CharlieCard Senior Citizen Pass Program event at the Malden Senior Center on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. There will be two one hour sessions from10:30-11:30 AM and from 1-2 PM where Representative Ultrino and his staff will help seniors renew and sign up for MBTA passes.

Senior Citizens age 65 and older, who are interested in applying for an initial Senior CharlieCard should bring a copy of a valid Massachusetts ID or Passport with them to the event. Seniors who are seeking to renew their existing Senior CharlieCard will also be accommodated.

The Senior CharlieCard allows seniors to ride local buses for 80 cents (instead of $1.60), inner express buses for $2.35 (instead of $3.65), and outer express buses for $3.40 (instead of $5.25). Seniors can also ride MBTA subway service for $1.05 (instead of $2.10) and commuter rail or boat services for 50% off the regular full fare and for a discounted fare to Boston Logan International Airport. In addition, seniors can purchase a monthly pass (good for unlimited travel on local bus and subway) for $29 (instead of $75). No discounts apply to express bus passes, commuter rail passes, or boat passes.

In short, the Senior CharlieCard gives seniors 50% off on local bus, subway, commuter rail and commuter boat services; a discounted rate for inner express buses and outer express buses; and a much cheaper monthly LinkPass for local bus and subway services.

CDC Releases Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

CDC Releases Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

Recommendations to improve patient care, safety, and help prevent opioid misuse and overdose 

As part of the U.S. government’s urgent response to the epidemic of overdose deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today is issuing new recommendations for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain, excluding cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care. The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, United States, 2016 will help primary care providers ensure the safest and most effective treatment for their patients.

The United States is currently experiencing an epidemic of prescription opioid overdose. Increased prescribing and sales of opioids—a quadrupling since 1999— helped create and fuel this epidemic.

                                                                                                                   

“More than 40 Americans die each day from prescription opioid overdoses, we must act now,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Overprescribing opioids—largely for chronic pain—is a key driver of America’s drug-overdose epidemic. The guideline will give physicians and patients the information they need to make more informed decisions about treatment.”

The guideline provides recommendations on the use of opioids in treating chronic pain (that is, pain lasting longer than three months or past the time of normal tissue healing). Chronic pain is a public health concern in the United States, and patients with chronic pain deserve safe and effective pain management.  This new guideline is for primary care providers—who account for prescribing nearly half of all opioid prescriptions—treating adult patients for chronic pain in outpatient settings. It is not intended for guiding treatment of patients in active cancer treatment, palliative care, or end-of-life care.

While prescription opioids can be part of pain management, they have serious risks.  The new guideline aims to improve the safety of prescribing and curtail the harms associated with opioid use, including opioid use disorder and overdose. The guideline also focuses on increasing the use of other effective treatments available for chronic pain, such as nonopioid medications or non-pharmacologic therapies.

By using the guideline, primary care physicians can determine if and when to start opioids to treat chronic pain. The guideline also offers specific information on medication selection, dosage, duration, and when and how to reassess progress and discontinue medication if needed. Using this guideline, providers and patients can work together to assess the benefits and risks of opioid use.

Among the 12 recommendations in the guideline, three principles are key to improving patient care:

•        Non-opioid therapy is preferred for chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care.

•        When opioids are used, the lowest possible effective dosage should be prescribed to reduce risks of opioid use disorder and overdose.

•        Providers should always exercise caution when prescribing opioids and monitor all patients closely.

“Doctors want to help patients in pain and are worried about opioid misuse and addiction,” said Debra Houry, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “This guideline will help equip them with the knowledge and guidance needed to talk with their patients about how to manage pain in the safest, most effective manner.”

In developing the guideline, CDC followed a rigorous scientific process using the best available scientific evidence, consulting with experts, and listening to comments from the public and partner organizations. CDC is dedicated to working with partners to improve the evidence base and will refine the recommendations as new research becomes available.

CDC developed user-friendly materials to assist providers with implementing the recommendations, including a decision checklist. These materials, as well as information for patients, are available atwww.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html.

CDC will continue to work with states, communities, and prescribers to prevent opioid misuse and overdose by tracking and monitoring the epidemic and helping states scale up effective prevention and treatment programs. CDC also continues to improve patient safety by equipping health care providers with data, tools, and guidance so they can make informed treatment decisions.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell has made addressing opioid misuse, dependence, and overdose a priority. Other work on this important issue is underway within HHS. The evidence-based HHS-wide opioid initiativefocuses on three priority areas: informing opioid prescribing practices, increasing the use of naloxone (a rescue medication that can prevent death from overdose), and expanding access to and the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment to treat opioid use disorder.

           

These efforts build on work that began in 2010, when the President released his first National Drug Control Strategy, which emphasized the need for action to address opioid misuse and overdose, while ensuring that individuals with pain receive safe, effective treatment. Also in 2010, the Affordable Care Act improved access to substance use disorder treatment options by requiring coverage of substance use disorder services in the Health Insurance Marketplace and establishing important parity protections to ensure that substance use disorder  coverage is comparable to medical and surgical care coverage. The next year, the White House released its national Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan to outline goals for addressing prescription drug misuse and overdose. Since then, the Administration has supported and expanded community-based efforts to prevent drug use and pursue “smart on crime” approaches to drug enforcement, as well as efforts to improve prescribing practices for pain medication and increase access to treatment, to reduce overdose deaths and support the millions of Americans in recovery.

MAYOR WALSH KICKS OFF 10TH ANNUAL GREENOVATE BOSTON AWARDS

MAYOR WALSH KICKS OFF 10TH ANNUAL GREENOVATE BOSTON AWARDS

Greenovate Boston Now Accepting Applications

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 "It's an inspiration to see what can be achieved by those committed to making Boston a greener, healthier city," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud to kick off the 10th annual Greenovate Boston awards and look forward to recognizing the new crop of climate leaders." "When we elevate leadership in our own community, we set the bar for what other cities define as progress," said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "Boston has been recognized as a leader of climate action because of the achievements of our residents, businesses and advocates. This is one way that we can say thank you, celebrate and inspire future success." This year's awards categories focus on the themes of the 2014 Updated Greenovate Boston Climate Action Plan, which include: Waste Reduction Community Engagement Buildings and Energy Sustainable Food Trees, Open Space, and Sustainable Landscaping Alternative Transportation Climate Preparedness and Resiliency To nominate a business, community organization, non-profit, resident, or institution in your community taking climate action, visit: bit.ly/GBAwards16 About Greenovate Boston: Greenovate Boston is the City's community-wide initiative to engage all Bostonians in helping the City meet its climate and sustainability goals, while continuing to make Boston a thriving, healthy, and innovative city. Learn more at www.greenovateboston.org.

A Piece of Malden’s History Displayed in the Mayor’s Office

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Mayor Gary Christenson was pleasantly surprised when Father Mark DeAngelis of Sacred Hearts Parish visited bearing Malden memorabilia: an official Anniversary Plate “in commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of Maldon, MA USA.” The 1899 blue and white plate, created by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, Etruria, England and Richard Briggs of Boston, features the Converse Memorial Building in the center with images of Hills Tavern (1720), The Parsonage (1724) and a view from Bailey’s Hill from 1837 along the edges. Inscribed on the front is “Upon the Petition of Mistick Side men, They are granted to be a Distinct Towne, & the Name Thereof to be called Mauldon”. The treasured keepsake will be displayed in the Mayor’s office.

BOSTON CITY COUNCILORS FILE LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS ACCESS ORDINANCE

BOSTON CITY COUNCILORS FILE LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS ACCESS ORDINANCE

BOSTON – Boston City Council President Michelle Wu and District City Councilor Tim McCarthy today introduced a Language and Communications Access ordinance at the Boston City Council Meeting. 

The Boston City Council, in partnership with Mayor Walsh and several departments led by the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians and Director Alejandra St. Guillen, created a Communications Access Working Group in November 2014 that evaluated departmental needs and best practices for communications access over the course of a year. This ordinance responds to many of the major recommendations brought forth by the Communications Access Working Group. 

The ordinance would require City of Boston departments to implement a communications access policy for residents who speak a language other than English or who need assistive technology. 

"Our goal is to codify the City of Boston's commitment to providing access to city services for every resident, no matter what language background or need," said Council President Wu. "We are a city whose strength comes from our diversity, and our policies should reflect that commitment to inclusion."

The ordinance was assigned to the City Council's Committee on Government Operations to schedule a hearing for a later date.

8 組織 3/16 合辦華埠麻州參議員候選人論壇

Maria Jobin-Leeds (右） 支持黃子瑜（左）參選麻州
參議員。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子報導)華人在麻州定居一百多年以後的今日，終於開始比較關心政治，繼去年有社團組織為昆市選舉合辦候選人論壇後，今年有8個組織為即將來到的麻州參議員補選，合辦候選人論壇，幫助選民認識7名候選人。

李超榮（右），周樹昂（左）支持Lydia Edwards（中）。
（周菊子攝）

這場特別選舉是因為麻州參議員彼楚塞利（Anthony W. Petruccelli）在2015年12月辭職，轉往Kearney, Donovan & McGee, P.C這家政府關係及遊說公司工作。麻州政府為遞補這轄區包括波士頓華埠的第一薩福克/米斗塞（1st Suffolk & Middlesex Senate District）選區參議員席缺，已訂定4月12日辦理初選，5月10日大選。

華美福利會（AACA），亞美社區發展協會（ACDC），波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC），華埠居民會（CRA )，華人前進會（CPA），華人政治協選會（CPPA），麻州投票（MassVOTE），華人醫務中心（SCCHC）等8個組織合作，將於3月16日（週三）晚6:00，在昆士小學禮堂（885 Washington St., Boston），舉辦候選人論壇，邀美國總統白宮亞裔事務顧問保羅渡邊（Paul Watanabe）主持。

七名候選人包括Joseph Boncore，Lydia Edwards，黃子瑜（Diana Hwang），麻州眾議員 Jay Livingstone，里維爾（Revere）市議員Steven Morabito,，Dan Rizzo，Paul Rogers。

            大多數的華埠民眾，對這七名候選人一個都不熟悉，但其中的黃子瑜，不但是華裔，曾在州政府，波士頓市議員辦公室工作過，還創辦了“亞美婦女政治行動（Asian-American Women’s Political Initiative）”這組織，獲選入波士頓市長馬丁華殊的婦女委員會，，積極鼓勵，培養年輕亞裔女性關注政治，參與選舉。

            熱衷於鼓吹女權，人權，創辦了“瑪莉亞的名單（Maria’s list）”的Maria Jobin-Leeds，早前還特地為黃子瑜舉辦了一場籌款動員會，支持她參選。

Maria Jobin-Leeds表示，她和黃子瑜理念相近，在交往中，又覺得黃子瑜很能幹，既熟悉政情，也有辦事能力，接受過“亞美婦女政治行動“培訓的學員總數已逾50。黃子瑜的出來參選，是身體力行他們的理想。

            黃子瑜的參選，有著開頭紅。宣佈參選不到二週，就籌得五萬元競選經費，接著陸續獲得新英格蘭區域木匠協會等的背書支持。

            七名候選人中的另一名非洲裔女性，艾德華（Lydia Edwards）在波士頓華埠也有支持者。波士頓市議會議長吳弭（Michelle Wu），政治界活躍人士李超容早前攜手，在“燒酒”餐廳為她舉辦了一場籌款會。麻州亞美局委員周樹昂也特地出席支持。

李超榮還在後續助選電郵中指出，曾任聯邦參議員的（Mo Cowan）也支持艾德華，目前已有麻州教師工會，鈑金工人本地17工會，服務員國際聯盟32BJ等3個組織的背書支持。

            在政治圈朋友多的人，比較頭痛些。曾經兩度參選波士頓市議員的退休昆士小學校長李素影笑說，參選者中至少有3人是她的朋友，都得幫忙。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ONLINE SURVEY TO EXAMINE THE INVENTORY OF PERFORMING ARTS VENUES IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ONLINE SURVEY TO EXAMINE THE INVENTORY OF PERFORMING ARTS VENUES IN BOSTON

Community Invited to Give Feedback about Performance Space in Boston

BOSTON - Tuesday, March 15, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has launched an "As the performing arts landscape in Boston continues to evolve, it is important to have a clear understanding of the assets that exist within the city so we can quantify the needs that exist within the performing arts ecosystem," said Mayor Walsh. "We encourage members of the community to share their input regarding the performance and rehearsal space in Boston so together we can start working toward solutions surrounding the complexities of space for Boston's performing artists." The survey, formally called the Performing Arts Facilities Assessment, will garner feedback from the community that will contribute to the creation of a comprehensive report on the challenges and opportunities facing the Boston performing arts ecosystem. This survey is an essential component of the Cultural Facilities Study, allowing the City to hear directly from members of the performing arts community. It is designed for the members of the performing arts community, both those who provide rehearsal and performance space and those who use rehearsal and performance space. In April 2015, Mayor Walsh launched Boston's cultural planning process to create a blueprint for arts and culture in the City of Boston. These efforts focus on engaging residents, visitors, and stakeholders to help local government identify cultural needs, opportunities, and resources and to think strategically about how these resources can help the community to achieve its civic goals. As a part of this effort, the Performing Arts Facilities Assessment will aim to learn what is most important to the residents of Boston and arts organizations; therefore, the survey is detailed and many of the questions are open-ended. The estimated time to complete the survey is from 10 to 40 minutes, depending on how many venues are referenced. Mayor Walsh announced last November the City would pursue a cultural facilities study. TDC, a Boston-based nonprofit consulting and research firm, is executing the study. About Boston Creates Boston Creates is the City's cultural planning process. When completed, the plan will identify priorities and strategies for how to strengthen the city by leveraging and growing the creative capital of its residents, communities and organizations.