Today is the investiture of King Willem-Alexander, the new monarch of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix will abdicate after reigning the Netherlands for 33 years.

Queen Beatrix on Dutch-American relations

Queen Beatrix visited the United States in 1982, and this is what she said during the state dinner with President Reagan on Dutch-American relations:

"Whatever our differences, there is infinitely more that binds our peoples together. We have become partners of our own free will. Above all, let us not underestimate the strength that can emanate from a union that succeeds in safeguarding both external and internal freedom.

In view of this, I'm confident that relations between your country, Mr. President, and my own will be even closer in the future than they have been in the last 200 years."

Celebrations in the USA: "history being written"

This is the last year that Queen's Day will be celebrated, a popular party for Dutch-Americans, and it is celebrated larger than ever. The organizer of the big celebration in New York City, Sander "'t BorrelMenneke" says that the event would easily sell out its 900+ tickets.

In Washington, D.C. the Royal Embassy in collaboration with the DC Dutch is organizing a big event also, with more than 500 guests. According to spokesperson Shanti de Jongh: "The event sold out quickly, and we have a huge waiting list. People clearly feel that this is a very special event and that history is being written. Dutch people feel a strong desire to celebrate this together, in the Embassy".

There are events throughout the United States (many took place last weekend). Our event calendar has a good overview.

King Willem-Alexander

Prince Willem-Alexander and his popular wife, Máxima Zorreguieta, are frequent visitors to the US. The crown-prince participated in the New York marathon in 1992 and the royal couple paid an official visit in 2009 for the Hudson Year celebrations.

The paper version of Form I-94, the arrival and departure record for people on a non-immigrant visa, will be replaced by an automated system. Starting next week filling in the white I-94 Form will no longer be required, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Form I-94 is the official Arrival-Departure Record for people on an non-immigrant visa. For visitors, there used to be a green I-94W form which was replaced in 2010 with the ESTA system; something similar is now happening for people on a non-immigrant visa such as an H-1B, a F-1 or a J-1.

Effective April 26, 2013, non-immigrants traveling to the United States by air or sea will no longer need to fill out a paper Form I-94; CBP will automate Form I-94 using traveler information already transmitted through electronic means and CBP will create an electronic Form I-94 based on the information in its databases.

Paper copy still required in some cases

In response to this announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that other government agencies will continue to use the paper Form I-94. Notably, USCIS and the State Department of Motor Vehicles will continue to require a paper copy of Form I-94 as evidence of their legal status in the United States. A paper copy of Form I-94 will also still be an acceptable List A document that a work-authorized non-immigrant may present to his/her employer during employment eligibility verification.

Travelers requiring a hard copy of the Form I-94 or other evidence of lawful admission to the United States will be directed to www.cbp.gov/I94 to print a copy of the Form I-94 based on the electronically submitted data. People who go through secondary inspection, such as asylum seekers, refugees, and parolees, will be provided a paper copy of Form I-94 by a CBP officer.