United States of America

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services is opening four new immigration facilities in South Florida to replace the one that it currently operates.

Janet Napolitano, the governor of Arizona, is expected to be named US secretary of Homeland Security by the Obama administration. She has called for a streamlined visa process, 'tamper-proof immigration documents' and an improved national employer verification system.

From 17 November, 2008 citizens of six additional EU countries can travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa.

Immigrant rights organizations have planned a major march in Washington on 21 January, the day after Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th US president.

According to US authorities, in the last year the government arrested and deported record numbers of illegal immigrants whilst in the same period it naturalized a record number of new Americans.

Entries to the United States 2010 Diversity Visa Lottery must be received by noon on 01 December, 2008.

The paternal aunt of President-elect, Barack Obama, is to fight a US Government move to deport her to her native Kenya.

Obama has voiced his support for US immigration reform in the past, both with regard to helping the growing Hispanic population and on the issue of increasing skilled immigration to help the U.S. economy maintain its global competitiveness.