The process of applying for an family-based immigrant visa at the US Embassy Tokyo has changed.

The embassy has recently (and suddenly) replaced their immigrant visa procedure website pages with an announcement/links that basically states that due to a new federal law, embassies and consulates no longer have the authority "to adjudicate I-130 petitions" (family-based immigrant visa petitions). This is now the responsibility of the Dept. of Homeland Security (at least that's who the check must be made out to), US Citizen and Immigration Services, and that these petitions must now be sent to the US for adjudication. The explanation behind this change is that embassies/consulates do not have the resources to run checks on the criminal backgrounds of those US citizens petitioning for a visa for their family member(s).

Just a heads up to those who may be considering petitioning for a green card, or in the midst of petitioning for one.