by Patricia S. Mann* Difficult as it is to imagine today, for most of the 19th Century, the U.S. had an essentially open-door immigration policy. Efforts to exclude particular categories of immigrants began in 1875 with new laws to provide for the exclusion of convicts and prostitutes. In 1882, we began our continuing history of […]
Headlines: 1. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Challenges Legality of E-Verify Requirement for Federal Contractors – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the DHS challenging the legality of requiring federal contractors to begin using E-Verify by January 15. 2. DHS Issues Interim Rule on I-9 Verification Documents – The interim rule, among other […]
by Adam Ketcher* Looking forward to FY2010, last week’s article (THE H-1B VISA PROGRAM – https://cyrusmehta.com/perseus/news.aspx?SubIdx=ocyrus20081219943) provided an update on the H-1B visa program for those who anticipate filing petitions for new H-1B employment in April. But what about those H-1B beneficiaries who were chosen in last year’s H-1B lottery and began their employment in […]
by Cyrus D. Mehta* (Updated 12/16/2008) On April 1, 2009, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions in advance of October 1, 2009, which is the date when H-1B visas under Fiscal Year 2010 become available. Since it is anticipated notwithstanding the economic downturn that there may be more petitions […]
by David A. Isaacson* On November 3, 2008, Vermont Service Center (“VSC”) Counsel Thomas F. McCarthy sent a letter to attorney Alan Lee indicating that the VSC will not follow the unpublished decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals in Maria T. Garcia, A# 79 001 587, interpreting the Child Status Protection Act (“CSPA”).1 That […]
Headlines: 1. E-Verify Deadline Approaches for Federal Contractors – Federal contractors and subcontractors will be required to begin using the E-Verify online work authorization verification system starting January 15, 2009. 2. Canada Fast-Tracks Skilled Workers – Applicants who are not eligible for the federal skilled worker category may qualify under another category. 3. USCIS Revises […]
By Cyrus D. Mehta* CDMA salutes and honors all of those who died in the senseless and wanton terrorist attacks in Mumbai last week. We also express our deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of the victims. CDMA has deep ties with the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay). I was born and grew […]
by Cyrus D. Mehta* In addition to creating a new sense of hope after the election of Barack Obama, there is also hope for immigration reform under the new administration. There was a huge turnout in the Latino and new American vote in the 2008 presidential election. 66% of the Latino vote went for Obama, […]
by Cora-Ann V. Pestaina* Recently, the USCIS started issuing a slew of Requests for Evidence (“RFEs”), specifically targeting computer consulting companies, even companies that are well established. RFEs are issued after an employer files an H-1B petition on behalf of a foreign employee. These lengthy and detailed RFEs, some 4 to 5 pages long, are […]
Headlines: USCIS Estimates 21 Percent of H-1B Cases Involve Fraud or Technical Violations – USCIS concluded that there is a 21 percent baseline fraud and technical violation rate for H-1B petitions and plans procedural changes as a result. U.S. Increases Period of Stay for Trade-NAFTA Professionals From Canada and Mexico – The final rule changes […]
