Heading: Reading Tea Leaves: Requests From DHS Office By Trump Transition Team, Policy Statement, Cabinet Nominees Offer Hints– President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has requested various documents and information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that, along with a statement of policies on his website, may provide hints of what Mr. Trump might prioritize […]
Headlines: Most Previous Forms Accepted Until February 21, But Must Include New Fees – USCIS said it will accept most prior versions of forms until February 21, 2017, but all filings postmarked December 23 or later must include the new fees or they will be rejected. USCIS Urges H-2B Employers To Stop Identifying Returning Workers […]
Headlines: Graham, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan ‘Bridge Act’ for DACA Beneficiaries – Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced bipartisan legislation “to protect undocumented individuals should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program be discontinued.” Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs Through April 28 – The law extends the EB-5 Regional Center Program, […]
Headlines: BELGIUM – Belgium has announced changes to existing “contribution to cover the administrative costs” rules and related proposals, and new 2017 salary thresholds for some fast-track work permits B. ITALY – The government has lifted translation and legalization requirements for certificates of coverage in work permit applications; a new investment visa category has been […]
Headlines: USCIS Publishes Long-Awaited Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Visa Programs – USCIS has issued a final rule, effective January 17, 2017, to provide greater flexibility for high-skilled foreign professionals. The new regulations also codify current informal administrative guidance about statutory provisions added in 2000. USCIS Revises I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form – By January […]
Headlines: Atlanta NPC To Issue PERM Notifications Via Email Beginning in December – Starting December 1, 2016, the ANPC also will receive via email ETA Form 9089 audit responses and responses to Requests for Information, Additional Audit Information Requests, and Notices of Decisions for Appeals. The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification offered […]
Headlines: DHS Extends TPS for Nepal – DHS is extending the designation of Nepal for TPS through June 24, 2018. The 60-day re-registration period runs through December 27, 2016. ABIL, Commenters Weigh In on USCIS Proposed Rule on Parole for Entrepreneurs – The comment period ended October 17, 2016, and yielded hundreds of comments. CW-1 […]
Headlines: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Rehearing in U.S. v. Texas – The Court’s refusal to reconsider the case means that DAPA and expanded DACA remain blocked. The original DACA program is unaffected. USCIS Increases Validity of Work Permits to Two Years for Asylum Applicants – USCIS has increased the validity period for initial or renewal […]
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 […]
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 […]
