Entries by Cyrus Mehta

August 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines 1. Company Held Liable for Back Wages of H-1B Employee Who Never Worked – The failure to prove every element of a bona fide termination left an employer who petitioned for an H-1B worker’s admission liable for the entire period of authorized employment. 2. Labor Dept. Weighs In on Staggered Dates of Need –  Can […]

July 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: ICE To Audit 1,000 Employers Nationwide for I-9 Violations – The new actions bring the FY 2011 I-9 audit total to 2,338, surpassing the FY 2010 record. USCIS Summarizes Stakeholder Engagement on L-1B Interpretation of ‘Specialized Knowledge’ – USCIS released an executive summary on the L-1B nonimmigrant classification with respect to interpretation of the term “specialized […]

IMMIGRATION NEWS AROUND THE STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, MASSACHUSETTS

A variety of harsh enforcement measures have gained ground in several states:Alabama. Alabama’s Governor Robert Bentley signed a new bill, HB 56 (“Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act”), which requires employers doing business with Alabama to use E-Verify, beginning in 2012, and ties it to state economic incentives. The employer’s business license may be […]

June 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: Supreme Court Upholds Arizona’s Employer Sanctions Law – The Legal Arizona Workers Act requires all Arizona employers to use E-Verify and revokes or suspends the business of employers licenses who knowingly hire unauthorized aliens. USCIS Announces Cap Count – USCIS announced the cap count as of May 20, 2011. USCIS Proposes EB-5 Changes; Accepting Comments Until […]

May 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: Feds Crack Down on Employers – In recent actions, the Criminal Division of the U.S. – Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC, is investigating Chipotle Mexican Grill about hiring  undocumented workers at its 1,092 restaurants; owners of another establishment were  arrested for violations related to employing undocumented workers and not paying taxes on them. House Holds Hearing […]

April 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: 1. USCIS Begins Accepting H-1B Petitions – As of April 1, 2011, USCIS has begun accepting H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2012 cap of 65,000. 2. USCIS Proposes Rule on Registration Requirement for H-1B Petitioners – The rule, which would not take effect until next year, proposes to require employers seeking to petition […]

March 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: Mayorkas Discusses USCIS Goals for 2011; VIBE System Introduced – The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers recommends that clients check their profile and make sure that the major areas are correct to avoid requests for evidence in the future.  E-Verify Self-Check Going Live in March – The self-check process is voluntary and available to […]

February 2011 Immigration Update

Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2011 – January 26, 2011, is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2011. 2. ICE Announces New I-9 Compliance Inspection Center, Partnership With Tyson Foods; Audits Increase – Fifteen additional auditors will focus their efforts on major […]