uams immigration insiderhr.uams.edu/files/2016/02/immigration-insider-winter-2016.pdf · february...
TRANSCRIPT
IMMIGRATION UPDATES
UAMS Immigration Insider
Special points of
interest:
My Life Story: Egypt,
by Dr. Eman Abdel
Baky
Crash Course in Tax-
es
Little Rock Marathon
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Office of Immigration Services Winter 2016
Inside this issue:
Tax Return Basics 3
My Life Story:
Egypt 4
Holiday Open
House Photos 6
Upcoming
Events 7
USCIS Provides SAVE Self-Check System
A new self-check function has been added to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigra-
tion Services (USCIS) Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE) pro-
gram. The SAVE system is used by federal, state, and local agencies to check a
person's immigration status when s/he is applying for a government benefit. The
new self-check feature is designed to reduce some of the inconveniences that
can be caused when one's immigration status cannot be immediately verified.
Eligibility for many government benefits and documents depends upon one's im-
migration status. When a person applies for a benefit, such as a driver's license,
the issuing agency uses the SAVE system to verify immigration status. If the
agency is unable to immediately verify the qualifying immigration status through
SAVE, the applicant is typically forced to wait for SAVE to be updated before the
benefit can be granted. This, in turn, may force her/him to make repeated visits
to the benefit-granting agency.
The new self-check feature, SAVE CaseCheck, is designed to reduce some of
this inconvenience by allowing one to track the status of her/his immigration sta-
tus verification case online without the need for a special case number from the
participating SAVE agency. For more information or to check your SAVE status,
visit http://www.uscis.gov/save/save-case-check.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Increases Travel Security
with Biometrics As part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) border security mission,
the agency is deploying new technologies to verify travelers’ identities – both
when they arrive and when they leave the United States – by matching a traveler
to the document they are presenting. CBP’s goal is to enhance national security
and protect a traveler’s identity against theft through the use of biometrics. Bio-
metric information (such as finger, face, or iris) measures a person’s unique
physical characteristics. CBP incorporated fingerprints for biometric identification
and verification in 2004, and is now testing facial and iris imaging capabilities to
help improve travelers’ identity protection, the integrity of our immigration system,
and our national security.
To learn more about the new travel security initiatives, visit the CBP website:
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/biometric-security-initiatives
Page 2 UAMS Immigration
新年好
“Happy new year”
in Mandarin!
The Chinese New
Year, also called
the Spring Festival,
lasts about 23
days. This year it
will begin on
February 8, 2016.
H-4 EAD or H-1B: Which is better? The H-4 Spouse EAD rule allows certain H-4 spouses to apply for and obtain a
work permit which would allow them to work in the United States while they are
waiting for their H-1B spouse’s permanent residency (green card) process to be
approved. However, not all H-4 spouses are eligible. Only spouses of H-1B
workers who have an approved I-140 petition OR have a pending PERM or I-
140 petition for more than 365 days and have extended their H-1B past their six
-year H-1B limit are eligible. More information about eligibility requirements and
how to apply can be found on the USCIS website.
There are benefits and disadvantages to both the H-1B and the H-4 EAD card.
If you have wondered which path may be best for you or your spouse, visit this
link to see the pros and cons of each type of work authorization as explained by
an immigration law firm: http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-
workers/employment-authorization-certain-h-4-dependent-spouses
IMMIGRATION UPDATES, CONTINUED
EVERY THURSDAY 5:30 – 7:30p.m.
UAMS College of Public Health (COPH) Building
Room G #232
THIS CLASS WILL HELP YOU TO:
Speak English More Proficiently
Increase Your Vocabulary
Meet New People
Increase Your Knowledge of Dif-
ferent Cultures
Learn About Living in Arkansas
DON’T MISS THE FUN!!!!
Sponsored by: Office of Human Resources Chancellor’s Diversity Committee
Center for Diversity Affairs Contact: Carmelita Smith, Manager of Diversity
501-563-4004 or [email protected] to REGISTER
Page 3 UAMS Immigration
Tax Return Basics
It’s tax season! We’ve gathered some basic terms and information to help you understand the tax return process. Please note: The Immigration Services Office is not trained to assist you in preparing your tax return forms. Visit a local VITA Tax Service Site for assistance. See the resources below for more information.
Important Dates The “tax year” runs from January 1st to December 31st. The tax return filing deadline is April 15. Before beginning your tax return, you should determine if you were a Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien for tax purposes in 2015. Resident Alien for tax purposes: All U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and nonresi-
dent aliens for immigration purposes who have met the Substantial Presence Test. Typically, if you have been on an H-1B visa for the entire tax year, you are considered a resident alien for tax purposes. Resident aliens can E-file their tax returns, use the same tax return forms and gener-ally claim the same exemptions, deductions, and tax credits as U.S. citizens.
Nonresident Alien for tax purposes: Nonimmigrants who have not yet met the Substantial Presence Test or the Green Card Test. There are special tax rules for F and J status individuals. Nonresident aliens must use different tax return forms and are limited on the exemptions, deduc-tions, and credits they can claim.
Important Documents
W-2: Wage & Tax Statement. An employer issues Form W-2 to report how much was earned and how much tax was withheld for Federal and State income taxes 1042-S: Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject To Withholding. If you were eligible for and took advantage of tax treaty benefits during 2015, you should receive a 1042-S from UAMS no later than March 15. Form 8233: Exemption From Withholding on Compensation. If you wish to take advantage of a tax treaty benefit, you must sign this form at the beginning of each tax year. The Immigration Ser-vices Office would have emailed you regarding this form if you are eligible for tax treaty benefits in 2016.
More Information and Tax Return Filing Assistance IRS website for international taxpayers: www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers
Arkansas State Tax Return website: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/individual/
Receive FREE tax assistance at a local VITA Tax Service Site: http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
Change of Address Reminder
Have you moved recently? Be sure to update the Immigration Services office with your new address!
All changes of address should be submitted to Immigration Services within 10 days of any move as
per Immigration regulation 8 C.F.R. 265.1.
Visit our website to submit an Update Address form!
You should also update your address through Employee Self Service to ensure that you receive im-
portant benefit and tax documentation from Human Resources.
Page 4 UAMS Immigration
We want to hear
about your home
and your journey
here!
Contact us at
askimmigration@
uams.edu to be
featured in our
next newsletter.
Egypt is the gift of the Nile as described by Herodotus, the Greek historian. My
country is enjoying a special geographical location spanning the northeast corner
of Africa and southwest corner of Asia. Moreover, the Suez Canal which con-
nects the Mediterranean Sea at the north of Egypt to the Red Sea at the east
and south makes my country a precious strategic point in the whole world with
significant cultural, political and military influences.
Egypt is well known as one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world.
Pharaohs or Ancient Egyptians provided the world huge heritages and unsolved
mysteries in writing, construction, mathematics, medicine and agriculture. Egypt
harbors one third of the world’s monuments such as the Pyramids and Sphinx, as
well the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. Wonder-
fully, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only wonder of the ancient world that still in
existence! I wish you can visit it one day!
Egypt is the most populous Arab country with more than 90 million inhabitants.
Surprisingly, since the Ancient Egyptians up till now, the majority of us are at-
tracted to live around the River Nile. Let me tell you more about the people in
Egypt. Egyptians are very kind, welcoming, generous and brave people. Indeed,
their sense of humor is everlasting even during the worst times, they can make
fun of everything even their own pain. This one simple character enabled them to
overcome different obstacles successfully. Also, they appreciate a lot family val-
ues even after the modern civilization.
The majority of Egyptians can enjoy simple things like a nice glass of tea, a sim-
ple walk along the Nile or simple family gathering. Football, or as you call it in
USA “soccer,” is the national game in Egypt. We just like it so much! The Egyp-
tian cuisine is very delicious and crosses the geographical boundaries, if you
know “Falafel”! If you have not tried it, trust me.
My Life Journey: Dr. Eman Abdel Baky, Egypt
Page 5 UAMS Immigration
In addition to the Nile valley and Delta region, there is the East desert, the west desert and Sinai re-
gions. Nature has honored our land with the beauty of diversity. If you visit Egypt you can enjoy the
beaches over the Mediterranean, the wonders of life under the Red Sea, more than ten natural
lakes, the River Nile and the green meadows on its sides, the chain of mountains in Sinai, the charm
of the desert with different oasis, and more.
Art is a strong essence in Egypt since ancient times. Poetry, music, songs and movies gain a lot of
interest in Egypt among Arabs as they call it “Hollywood of the Middle East”. The legendry Nageb
Mahfouz is an example of a famous Egyptian writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988.
January 25, 2011 is a land mark in the history of Egypt. The Egyptian revolution is the new miracle
in the modern history of my country. It is just amazing how millions of people can decide at the same
time that Egypt deserves better. Egyptians gave a slap on the face for the old corrupted regime and
a clear message for the future. Sadly, we lost a lot during this struggle. However, it is our duty to
make this huge sacrifice worthy by
building the new Egypt as it should be.
UAMS in Little Rock is my 1st step in
my journey to USA. I came to here as a
research visitor to study more about
skin cancer. It is just exciting to have a
closer look to the American system in
medical research. Moreover, exposure
to new culture, colleagues & friends is
overwhelming. To me, my journey is
just a mind blowing experience that I
will always remember.
Al-Tahrir Square, also known as Liberty Square, in Cairo, where the Egyptian revolution started and continued.
Page 6 UAMS Immigration
Thank you for
making our FIRST
Holiday Open
House a huge
success!
Immigration Services Holiday Open House Photos
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
March Rtika Ryfka Abraham
Latha Achanta
Sudip Banerjee
Harmeet Banipal
Jose Benitez-Gomez
Yu-Ting Chen
Toshifumi Fujiwara
Mauricio Garcia
Mohit Girotra
Zhuopei Hu
Nicholas Hurren
Rajani Jagana
Shanyao Jiang
Alissa Kanaan
Ajoe Kattoor
Manohar Kuruva
Shaoke Luo
Debajyoti Majumdar
Meera Mohan
Tresor Mukiza
Chaitanya Musham
Purushothaman
Raghunandan
Mihir Raval
Rahul Ravilla
Mustafa Sarimollaoglu
Anuj Shah
Susan Thapa
Naga Jaya Yenduri
Hazel Rosson
Courtney Richter
April Lavanya Murali
Mehmet Akdol
Masil Justin George
Amit Agarwal
Benjamin Tharian
Sakeena Raza
Sree Vamsee Chintapalli
Shijie Liu
Seyed Forghani Sae-
idabadi
Appala Sasapu
Deipti Trehun
Keerthi Atluri
Srikanth Reddy Kasula
Aparna Komarraju
Neeraj Dayama
Lorenzo Fernandes
Seunghyun Jung
Asif Padiyath
Aditya Naraian Chada
Naga Saranya Addepally
Peizhong Shi
Shivang Desai
Fu'ad Habash
Anqi Wan
Marcelle Dina Zita
Kai Carey
May Mao Hua Cao
Brian Walker
Esther Prince
Sridhar Enuganti
Rohan Samant
Eva Diaz Fuentes
Timea Buzder
Linxi Li
Jingyun Li
Sachin Tadphale
Diana Escalona-Vargas
Marwan Moussa
Mecit Kaplan
Han-Ni Wang
Suneetha Sampath
Towino Paramby
Chunqiao Luo
Pankaj Patyal
Kshitij Chatterjee
Lisa Gaddy
Page 7 UAMS Immigration
UPCOMING EVENTS: Little Rock Marathon
Date: March 5-6, 2016
Location: Downtown Little Rock
This year marks the 14th year of the Little
Rock Marathon, which is a running and
walking tour through the scenic streets of
Arkansas' capital city. The Little Rock Mar-
athon is held annually the first Sunday in
March. Known for giving the world's largest
marathon finisher's medal, the Little Rock
Marathon offers a variety of events to its
participants, and calls itself “A race for
every pace.” The race weekend includes a
full marathon (26.2 miles/42 km), half mar-
athon (13.2 miles/21 km), 10 km race, 5 km Fun Run/Walk, and a Little Rockers Kids Marathon.
More information and registration can be found at http://littlerockmarathon.com/.
Are you participating in one of the Little Rock Marathon races? Let us know so
we can join in celebrating your accomplishment!
Email us at [email protected] with your race results, photographs,
and stories of your experience in the Little Rock Marathon races, and we will
feature them in our next newsletter!
4301 W. Markham Street
Slot# 564
Central Building 4th Floor, Wing D
Room 4D08
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-686-8132
Fax: 501-603-1318
E-mail: [email protected]
hr.uams.edu/immigration
UAMS Immigration
Services
UAMS Immigration
Upcoming Holidays
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 15, 2016
George Washington’s Birthday (UAMS
Holiday)
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Easter Sunday
Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day (UAMS Holidays)
Happenings Around Town
Lanterns! 2016
February 19-21
Wildwood Park’s annual deep-winter festival celebrates the first full moon of the
lunar new year. More information at www.wildwoodpark.org/events/lanterns-2016/.
Arkansas Literary Festival
April 14-17
A stimulating mix of sessions, panels, special events, performances, workshops,
presentations, opportunities to meet the authors, book sales, and book signings.
www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org/
Page 8