Immigration Update – November 18, 2024
Headlines: DOL Proposes to Amend H-2B Regulations for Employer-Provided Wage Surveys β The Department of Labor proposes to amend the regulations consistent with recent federal litigation by clarifying existing requirements for employer-provided surveys for the H-2B program. DOL also proposes to add new requirements and eliminate Form ETA-9165. DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap With Nearly […]
Immigration Update – November 12, 2024
Headlines: What Should Employers and Investors Expect in the Second Trump Term? β Former President Donald Trump’s election to a second term in the White House is sure to reshape immigration law and enforcement. What should employers expect, and how can they prepare? Biden Administration’s ‘Parole in Place’ Program Struck Down by Federal Judge β […]
We Will Continue to Serve Our Clients Notwithstanding the Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
In the face of an election outcome that unfortunately focused negatively on immigrants, our dedication to advocating for and defending immigrants remains steadfast, no matter the obstacles or the consequences. Over the years, we have tirelessly represented immigrants and their employers through even the most challenging of times, weathering diverse political landscapes, catastrophic disasters, and […]
Immigration Update – October 28, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Approves New Credentialing Organization for Healthcare Workers β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved International Education Evaluations, LLC, as a new credentialing organization for healthcare workers for certain immigration purposes. USCIS Updates Guidance for T Visas β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised guidance in its Policy Manual related to the […]
Immigration Update – October 21, 2024
INSIDE THIS ISSUE DHS Designates Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status, Announces Other Relief β The Department of Homeland Security announced several measures “to provide temporary immigration reprieve to eligible Lebanese nationals currently in the United States” and allow them to request work authorization, including Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Enforced Departure, and Special Student Relief. DOL […]
Immigration Update – October 14, 2024
Headlines: OFLC Releases FAQs on Employer Needs and Communications During Recent Major Disasters β The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification released frequently asked questions on issues related to employer needs and communications in Hurricane Helene-affected areas and Vermont. USCIS Updates Guidance on Expedite Requests β The update clarifies how the agency considers […]
Immigration Update – October 07, 2024
Headlines: FY 2026 Diversity Visa Program Application Period Is Underway β The online registration period for the Diversity Visa (DV)-2026 program began on October 2, 2024, and concludes on November 5, 2024. USCIS Issues New Guidance on EB-1 ‘Extraordinary Ability’ Eligibility Criteria β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance, effective immediately, to further […]
Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners Expands Immigration Practice with Acquisition of Claudia Slovinsky and Associates
October 1, 2024 β Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC is proud to announce its acquisition of Claudia Slovinsky and Associates, PLLC, significantly expanding and deepening its immigration law practice. Both law firms are renowned for providing exceptional legal representation in a wide range of immigration matters, including business immigration, labor certifications, removal defense, waivers, […]
Immigration Update – September 30, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Rejects ‘Unusually High Number’ of Alien Worker Petitions, Releases Tips β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has had to “reject an unusually high number of Forms I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) at intake because of incorrect fees and missing information.” The agency released tips for petitioners. Work Authorization Procedures Announced for Liberians […]
Immigration Update – September 23, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2025 β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025. USCIS Extends Green Card Validity to 36 Months for Renewals β U.S. Citizenship […]
Immigration Update – September 19, 2024
Headlines: Annual Limit Reached in EB-2 Visa Category β The annual limit will reset with the start of FY 2025 on October 1, 2024. OFLC Announces Revised Transition Schedule for H-2A Job Orders and Technical Guidance Under Farmworker Protection Rule β The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification announced a revised transition schedule […]
Immigration Update – September 10, 2024
Headlines: District Court Extends Stay on Keeping Families Together PIP Applications β Parole grants are paused, but U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to collect applications. DOS Announces Creation of a Lightering Visa Classification β The U.S. Department of State announces two new visa classifications for noncitizens seeking to transit the United States to […]
Immigration Update – September 05, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Updates Guidance on OPT and Other Issues for F/M Nonimmigrant Students β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its guidance on when students may be eligible for optional practical training extensions for STEM fields. USCIS also provided clarifying guidance for F and M nonimmigrant students about online study, school transfers, the […]
Immigration Update – August 26, 2024
Headlines: DHS Implements ‘Keeping Families Together’ Parole-in-Place Program, Texas Files Compliant β The Department of Homeland Security estimated that 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens may meet the eligibility criteria. Court Preliminarily Approves Proposed Settlement in Garcia Perez v. USCIS β The case is a class action lawsuit involving the federal […]
Immigration Update – August 21, 2024
Headlines: DHS Announces Expedited Asylum Processing at Northern Border to Deter Unauthorized Migrants β The Department of Homeland Security has implemented measures at the U.S. border with Canada to reduce unauthorized migration. Annual Limits Reached in EB-3, EW, and EB-5 Unreserved Visa Categories β The annual limits will reset with the start of the new […]
Immigration Update – August 12, 2024
Headlines: Visa Bulletin Reports on Availability of Employment-Based Visas in September β The Department of State’s Visa Office has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2024. USCIS Completes Second Random Selection for Regular Cap From Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has completed its second random selection to […]
Global Immigration Update – August 2024
FEATURE ARTICLE GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION FEES: AN OVERVIEW βThis article provides an overview of government immigration fees in several countries. COUNTRY UPDATES COLOMBIA β This article discusses visa options for retirees and “digital nomads” in Colombia. EUROPEAN UNION β The Council of the European Union has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026. ITALY […]
Immigration Update – August 05, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection for Regular Cap From Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations β U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will select additional registrations for unique beneficiaries to reach the FY 2025 regular cap numerical allocation. USCIS will make the selections from previously submitted electronic registrations using a random selection process. […]
Immigration Update – July 29, 2024
Headlines: DHS Adds Environmental Economics to STEM Designated Degree Program List β The Department of Homeland Security has amended its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Designated Degree Program List by adding “Environmental/Natural Resource Economics” to the qualifying fields of study White House Orders Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals β President Biden issued a […]
Immigration Update – July 22, 2024
Headlines: DOS Clarifies Guidance on Easing the Nonimmigrant Visa Process for College Graduates β On June 18, 2024, the Biden administration announced actions to more efficiently process employment-based nonimmigrant visas for those who have graduated from college in the United States and have a job offer. As part of this initiative, the Department of State […]