October 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Extends Immigration Programs to December – The immigration-related programs extended by the bill include E-Verify, EB-5 regional centers, EB-4 non-ministerial religious workers, and Conrad 30 for J-1 medical workers. USCIS No Longer Requires 2 Photos With Naturalization Application – All Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) applicants, except those who reside […]

Mid-September 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: State Dept. Announces Potential Visa Availability in the Coming Months – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2016 provided an overview of potential visa number availability. State Dept. Announces Expiration of Two Employment-Based Visa Categories – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2016 announced the expiration at the end of […]

September 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: USCIS Proposes Rule on Parole for Certain International Entrepreneurs– USCIS has published a proposed rule to allow certain international entrepreneurs to be considered for parole (temporary permission to be in the United States) so they may start or scale their businesses in the United States. ETA Announces iCERT Enhancement to Streamline H-2A, H-2B Processes […]

Mid-August 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: USCIS Announces End of H-1B Workload Transfer Transition Period – USCIS announced that the H-1B workload transfer transition period ends August 31, 2016. September Visa Bulletin Shows Movement in Final Action Dates – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for the month of September 2016 shows much movement in the final action dates for […]

August 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants From India – Starting on August 1, 2016, applicants from India who filed Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant on or after January 1, 2010, will not be able to obtain an immigrant visa or adjust status until new visa numbers become available. Mayors […]

Mid-July 2016 Immigration Update

Headlines: Various Categories Oversubscribed for August, State Dept. Reports – High demand in various employment-based visa categories has required the establishment of cut-off dates in August. USCIS Has Returned Unselected FY 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions – Those who submitted an H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1 and April 7, 2016, and do not receive a […]