Immigration Update – February 24, 2020
Headlines: Immediate Three-Year Backlog Imposed on EB-3 and EB “Other Workers” Visa Categories in March; China-Mainland Born EB-5 Category Advances Rapidly – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for March 2020 announced several notable developments. Update: USCIS to Launch Electronic H-1B Registration Process Starting March 1 – USCIS released updated details on February 21, 2020. […]
Immigration Update – February 18, 2020
February 18, 2020 Immigration Update Headlines: USCIS Poised to Launch Electronic H-1B Registration Process Starting March 1 – USCIS will open an initial registration period from noon ET March 1, 2020, through noon ET March 20, 2020, for the FY 2021 H-1B cap-subject numerical allocations. USCIS Suspends Use of Pre-Paid Mailers for FY 2021 H-1B […]
Immigration Update – February 11, 2020
Headlines: DHS Suspends New York Residents from Trusted Traveler Programs; New York to Sue – DHS informed the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles on February 5, 2020, that New York residents are no longer eligible to apply for or renew their enrollment in Trusted Traveler Programs. New York’s Attorney General immediately announced plans […]
February 2020 Global Immigration Update
Feature Article SHORT-TERM HIGH-SKILLED WORKER PROGRAMS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of policies and procedures on short-term high-skilled worker programs in several countries. Country Updates BELGIUM – Belgium has announced 2020 gross salary thresholds. CANADA – Québec attestations are now required for permanent immigrant applicants. Also, there is an update on the […]
Immigration Update- February 3, 2020
Headlines: USCIS Announces Public Charge Rule Implementation Following Supreme Court Stay of Nationwide Injunctions – USCIS will implement the public charge final rule on February 24, 2020, except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court. Trump Administration Restricts U.S. Entry of Travelers From and Through China Due to Coronavirus Risk – […]
Immigration Update- January 27, 2020
Headlines: State Department Issues Final Rule Ordering Denials of B Visas to Combat ‘Birth Tourism’ – The final rule establishes that travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States is an impermissible basis for the issuance of a B nonimmigrant […]
Immigration Update- January 21, 2020
Headlines: USCIS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs – For 2020, the countries designated as eligible in 2019 are unchanged. USCIS Releases Final FY 2019 Statistics – The statistics include naturalizations, green cards, employment authorizations, and protected populations, among other categories. OFLC Completes Randomization Process on H-2B Applications Requesting an April 1, […]
Immigration Update- January 13, 2020
Headlines Iranian-Americans Stopped, Questioned When Returning From Canada – More than 60 Iranian-Americans reportedly were held for questioning when returning from Canada recently via Washington State. USCIS Publishes Notice ‘Formally Announcing’ Implementation of Electronic H-1B Registration Process and Timeframe – USCIS will open an initial registration period from March 1 through March 20, 2020, for […]
Immigration Update- January 6, 2020
Headlines Immigration Provisions Included in Newly Enacted Defense Act – On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes several immigration-related provisions. Investigation Finds Fake Companies Exploiting F-1 Student Visa Program –NBC found that 14 “suspicious” companies employed more than 5,500 foreign students through the Optional Practical Training program. ABIL […]
Immigration Update- December 24, 2019
Headlines Spending Bill Extends EB-5 Regional Center Program, Includes Immigration Provisions – Congress has passed a spending bill for fiscal year 2020 that includes several immigration-related provisions. President Trump is expected to sign the legislation. January Visa Bulletin Includes Projections in Employment-Based Categories – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for January 2020 includes information […]
Immigration Update- December 18, 2019
Headlines Possible Retrogression in EB-2 Worldwide and EB-3 Worldwide in January – This year retrogression in the employment-based second and third preference visa categories may come much earlier than usual. House Passes Bill to Address Labor Shortage in Agriculture; Senate Prospects Unclear – Among other things, the bill would provide a path to legal status […]
Immigration Update- December 13, 2019
Headlines December 2019 Visa Bulletin – EB-1 Dates for Filing Current Except for China and India, Little Movement of Final Action Dates – The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published the Monthly Visa Bulletin for December 2019, which shows Dates for Filing as current for EB-1 except for India and China. Client Alert for Premium […]
Immigration Update- December 6, 2019
Immigration Update- December 6, 2019 Headlines Could Immigration Lawyers become Criminals? – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider the case of U.S. v. Sineneng-Smith involving an immigration consultant – Evelyn Sineneng-Smith – who told her undocumented clients they could stay in the United States under a program she knew had ended. Though she […]
Immigration Update- November 25, 2019
Headlines: Despite Courts Enjoining DHS Public Charge Rule, State Department Proceeding with Implementing its Own Version – Four courts issued injunctions against the controversial rule, two of which were nationwide, and one of which barred USCIS from issuing new forms related to the rule. DHS Secretary Resigns – After only serving six months as Acting […]
Immigration Update – November 4, 2019
Headlines: Trump Wants Cuccinelli as DHS Secretary, Hesitant Due to Senate’s Reluctance – Donald Trump wants current acting director of USCIS Ken Cuccinelli to take over as secretary of DHS. Senate confirmation has him weary, as Senate Republicans have indicated they would not support Cuccinelli. USCIS Removes Means-Tested Benefit Criteria From Form I-912 – United […]
Immigration Update: September 9, 2019
Immigration Update: September 9, 2019 Headlines: OFLC Announces Schedule for E-Filing of LCAs – Affected LCA programs include the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa classifications. USCIS Proposes Deleting Time Limits on Work Authorization Processing for Asylum Applicants – USCIS has announced a proposed rule to remove the 30-day time limit on granting or denying an […]
Immigration Update: September 1, 2019
Immigration Update September 1, 2019 Headlines: Continue to Use “Expiring” I-9 Form Until Further Notice, USCIS Says – Until further notice, employers should continue using the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) currently available on I-9 Central, even after the August 31, 2019, expiration date has passed USCIS Changes Direct Filing Addresses for Certain Nonimmigrant Worker […]
Immigration Update August 27, 2019
Headlines: New DOJ Interim Rule, Effective Immediately, Makes Significant Changes to EOIR – A new Department of Justice interim rule, effective August 26, 2019, and published on the same day, makes significant changes to several components of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and its lines of authority. The immigration judges’ union immediately protested. […]
Immigration Update August 12, 2019
Headlines State Dept. Establishes, Retrogresses August Employment-Based Final Action Dates – The Visa Bulletin for August 2019 notes a steadily increasing level of employment-based applicant demand since late May for adjustment-of-status cases filed with USCIS, although the State Department is hoping to return priority dates to what they’ve been before July 2019 after the […]
Immigration Update- July 30, 2019
Headlines: Expedited Removal Expands to Interior of United States – With immediate effect, DHS issued a notice to dramatically expand the process of expedited removal. The ACLU has promised to file a suit challenging the action. USCIS Amends EB-5 Regulations, Raising Minimum Investment Amounts and Modifying TEA Designations – A long-anticipated final rule provides priority […]
