On August 13, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law a border enforcement funding bill, H.R. 6080, that would offset certain border security costs by raising fees for certain H-1B and L petitions. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote on August 10, and was passed in the Senate by […]
Headlines: 1. Preliminary Injunction Blocks Key Provisions of Arizona Immigration Statute – A key portion of the new statute may conflict with a Supreme Court ruling that states cannot create their own immigration systems, a federal judge states; the New York City Bar calls the statute unconstitutional. 2. ICE I-9 Final Rule Allows for Electronic […]
Headlines: 1. Department of State Publishes Consular Fee Interim Rule, Reopens Comment Period – The Department received 1,797 comments in response to the proposed rule and has reopened the comment period for an additional 60 days, until August 27, 2010. 2. USCIS Proposes Changes in Fees, Large New Fee for EB-5 Regional Center Applications – […]
Headlines: USCIS Revises Employment Authorization Document – The EAD now includes a machine-readable zone on the back of the card. USCIS Redesigns Green Card – USCIS will replace green cards already in circulation as individuals apply for renewal or replacement. State Dept. Raises Consular Fees for Nonimmigrant Visas and BCCs – The interim final rule, […]
Headlines: 1. Controversial New Arizona Statute Signed Into Law – The governor of Arizona signed a law that directs local police to make immigration status determinations and makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration documents. An amendment passed April 30, 2010, just before this update was published, slightly softens some of the most outrageous […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 8, 2010, that it continues to accept H-1B nonimmigrant petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2011 cap. USCIS will monitor the number of petitions received for both the 65,000 general cap and the 20,000 U.S. master’s degree or higher educational exemption. USCIS has received approximately […]
Headlines: 1. ABIL Meets With USCIS, Proposes Immigration Reforms – ABIL said it believes that employment-based immigration reforms should encompass changes in both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories so that the U.S. becomes the most attractive global destination for highly skilled and essential workers. 2. USCIS To Accept FY 2011 H-1B Petitions Beginning April 1 […]
In continuation of our previous article, H-1b Update: Filing Date Approaches; Scrutiny At POEs Increases; USCIS Issues H-1B Guidance Under Economic Stimulus, dated February 19, 2010, http://tinylink.com/?7h4K85wN87, USCIS has announced on March 10, 2010, that it will not extend the period in which it temporarily accepted H-1B petitions filed with uncertified labor condition applications (LCAs). […]
We reproduce, below, a summary of an article, Tyranny of Priority Dates, by Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta, forthcoming in BenderХs Immigration Bulletin, which was sent to USCIS Director Mayorkas. Mr. Mayorkas expressed interest in the ideas contained in Tyranny of Priority Dates at a stakeholderХs meeting between him and some of the members […]
Headlines: 1. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) introduce Start Up Visa Act of 2010. – Allows an immigrant entrepreneur to receive a two-year conditional resident status if he or she can show that a qualified US investor is willing to dedicate a minimum of $250,000, to the immigrant’s start up venture. 2. […]
