The DV-2011 green card lottery registration period ended Monday, which means entries can no longer be submitted. The next opportunity to register in the green card lottery will be fall 2010 when DV-2012 registration begins.

Those who registered in the DV-2011 green card lottery and are selected as a "winner" will receive a letter from the Kentucky Consular Center by mail sometime between May and July 2010 at the addresses listed on their electronic diversity visa (E-DV) entry. You will be able to check the status of your DV-2011 registration online at the E-DV website on or after July 1, 2010. Keep your confirmation page in a safe place until then. You'll need that confirmation number to check your status online in July.

Since today is World AIDS Day, I thought you might be interested in this:

Effective January 4, 2010, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection will no longer make an alien inadmissible under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act). This memorandum accordingly provides guidance for applications involving HIV.

This statement comes from a USCIS memo dated November 24, 2009, amending the Adjudicator's Field Manual, which details USCIS policies and procedures for adjudicating applications and petitions.

The memo provides guidance to USCIS officers on how to adjudicate current cases involving HIV. The good news is any cases currently in the system will not be denied. Instead, they will be held over until the amendment takes effect on January 4th.

Read the official memorandum from USCIS.

Photo: China Photos/Getty Images

On Tuesday, I suggested that Lou Dobbs may be softening his stance on immigration now that he has an eye for political office. Little did I know that a few days before, Dobbs had been interviewed by Maria Celeste on Telemundo's Al Rojo Vivo.

During the interview, Celeste hammered Dobbs on the leprosy controversy from his 2005 program, his comments about criminal aliens and other issues that have made Dobbs unpopular within the immigrant community. About twenty heated and rather uncomfortable minutes into the interview, Dobbs redirected the discussion towards immigration reform. When asked how he proposes we fix immigration reform, Dobbs replied:

1. "We need a rational, effective and humane immigration policy in this country."
2. "We need the ability to legalize illegal immigrants on certain conditions."
3. "We need to be able to influence the direction of the conversation toward securing the border because until we can control immigration, we cannot meaningfully, substantively alter immigration law because it would have no point if we cannot establish the basis for the control of the flow of people across that border."

Dobbs' second point will come as a shock to those familiar with his strong anti-amnesty, anti-undocumented immigrant rhetoric. But as Celeste astutely points out, Dobbs now "sounds like a politician." The former CNN host confirmed that he is considering a run for office.

Dobbs knows that without the Latino vote, he doesn't stand a chance at the presidency. And with his track record, Dobbs will have to work magic to smooth his rocky relationship with those voters. Celeste gave Dobbs the opportunity to address that issue when she asked if he had any parting words for the Hispanic community.

"Whatever you have thought of me in the past, I can tell you right now that I am one of your greatest friends and I mean for us to work together."

Watch the interview.

Photo: George De Sota/Getty Images

About 400 years ago, the pilgrims came to America seeking a better way of life. Although modern-day immigration is dramatically different from what the pilgrims experienced, the U.S. remains the top desired destination country for those who would like to relocate permanently to another country. On this day, let's give thanks for our country's immigrants and the important contributions they have made to America. Soon we will come together to fix our broken immigration system, and we would be wise to remember that our country would not be as strong as it is without its immigrants.

Some holiday reading:

Is Thanksgiving Day a Good Idea For Sikhs?
"Sikh immigrants new to America may be wondering what Thanksgiving is all about and whether its a good idea to participate. Before making such a decision it's a good idea to have all the facts." From About.com's Guide to Sikhism, Sukhmandir Khalsa.

12 Thanksgiving Facts
Newcomers to the U.S. (and some of you who have been here for a while) might enjoy About.com's American History Guide Martin Kelly's Thanksgiving fast facts.

New York City: Thanksgiving 2009 Macy's Parade
"This annual tradition was started in the 1920's by immigrant employees of Macy's department store who wanted a festival." About's Guide for NYC for Visitors tells how to get the best viewing spot for the parade.

Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images