With the end of the year approaching, Zhang & Associates, P.C. would like to take this time to reflect upon the many strides that were made in 2006 and look towards the future to see how we can further improve ourselves and help deliver you the best. In 2006, great changes were made by Z&A to help better achieve its client-centric philosophy and deliver the best to its clients and help them achieve their American Dream. Also, there were significant changes made in the American government that make the future look brighter for immigrants and their families.

In 2006, Z&A implemented numerous new technologies to help the firm better serve its clients and increase their satisfaction. Significantly, the firm implemented Oracle Customer Relationship Management, which has enabled us to prepare and organize our clients’ legal documents more efficiently and communicate information with the clients quickly and completely. More importantly, Oracle CRM allows the firm to implement and carryout safeguards, which helps our clients. With Oracle, the supervising attorney, who checks each case before it is filed, is able to access case information as easily as the attorney working on the case, enhancing our ability to double check the case.

Oracle CRM is also used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency that has also made changes. Significantly, the USCIS opened up the Premium Processing Service to EB-1 Aliens with Extraordinary Ability, EB-1 Outstanding professors and Researchers, EB-2 (except NIW cases), EB-3 Professionals, EB-3 Skilled and non-skilled workers. This is important for many, as it allows their cases to be determined within 15 days. The USCIS also introduced a new website, making it easier for petitioners to track the status of their application and look for information important to them. Lastly, in 2006 the USCIS realigned the offices in order to balance the workload and increase the efficiency of the USCIS. This is important for our clients, as it means their cases will be processed quicker and they should be able to receive a decision regarding their case sooner.

Many changes occurred in the United States government which will be significant next year to the immigration landscape and helping you achieve your American Dream. Both the Senate and House of Representatives had passed immigration reform bills, with the Senate passing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. 2611) and the House of Representatives passing The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437). These bills are significant because they include important provisions to increase border enforcement, increase visas numbers, like the H-1B, provide a guest worker program, improve the citizenship process, and other things that will help families stay united. Unfortunately, due to the differences between the bills and the Republican majorities in both the Senate and House, no law was created regarding immigration reform and nothing will happen for the remainder of 2006.

The election of a new Congress was extremely important. The Democratic Party made huge gains in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Since the Democratic Party appears to be a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, it will be interesting to see how they respond to the immigration reform bills that are currently sitting in each house. A majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate will probably lead some changes in the immigration landscape, especially since President Bush is a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform.

Zhang & Associates, P.C. would like to wish you all the best in the upcoming year. Z&A will continue to use Oracle CRM as well as other cutting edge technologies in 2007 to best serve our clients’ needs. We will continue to provide you with the best, as our attorneys have extensive experience, expertise and training and are constantly expanding their knowledge of the immigration field and their expertise. Moreover, we will stay on top of the developments in Congress with respect to immigration reform and bills, which will impact our clients and their families. Z&A is honored and humbled to be a part of your American dream, as it is our great responsibility and will work as hard for your American Dream in the upcoming year as we have this past year.

For those who have not yet retained our services or started their immigration case, think of the upcoming year as a new beginning and allow us to help you with your immigration needs and concerns. With many years’ experience in NIW, EB-1 and PERM cases, thirteen attorneys at Z&A’s offices in New York, Houston and Chicago are committed to serving our clients. Working together, we always deliver the best!

Again, we wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.