Headlines: Various Categories Oversubscribed for August, State Dept. Reports – High demand in various employment-based visa categories has required the establishment of cut-off dates in August. USCIS Has Returned Unselected FY 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions – Those who submitted an H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1 and April 7, 2016, and do not receive a […]

Headlines: Split Supreme Court Decision Blocks DAPA – In U.S. v. Texas, the Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings that block the Obama administration’s plan to allow approximately 4 million parents of U.S. citizen children to remain in the United States and obtain work authorization. USCIS Celebrates SAVE’s 30th Anniversary, Launches Redesigned Website – […]

Headlines: USCIS, DOS Launch e-Approval for H-2A Petitions –USCIS and DOS announced the launch of e-Approval for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for the H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) classification. USCIS Will Now Use Pre-Paid Mailers To Send H-2A Receipt Notices – Coinciding with the launch of e-Approval, USCIS has begun using pre-paid mailers […]

Headlines: USCIS Proposes Fee Increases, New Fee for Annual Certification of EB-5 Regional Centers – Among other things, USCIS proposes a new fee of $3,035 to recover the full cost of processing the EB-5 Annual Certification of Regional Center, Form I-924A. USCIS Completes Data Entry of FY 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions, Begins Rejections – USCIS […]

Headlines: USCIS Reaches FY 2017 H-1B Cap – As expected, USCIS has quickly reached the H-1B cap for FY 2017. USCIS also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS is not yet able to announce the date on […]

Headlines: CHINA – Shanghai has simplified the process for individuals requesting work permits and residence permits. FRANCE – A new law on the rights of foreigners in France was promulgated on March 7, 2016. ITALY – A startup work permit fast-track procedure is now available also to foreigners already residing in Italy. PERU – The […]

Headlines: DHS Issues Final Rule Amending F-1 Regs, Breaks Record for Public Comments – DHS published a final rule amending regulations to expand optional practical training (OPT) for students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and create new obligations for F-1 students and F-1 employers starting May 10, 2016. Reminder: USCIS […]

Feature Article:  SECURITY MEASURES: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of recent immigration developments in security measures in several countries implemented in response to terror attacks and related concerns. Country Updates: BELGIUM – Belgium sets new 2016 salary thresholds for some fast track work permits B and the Blue Card. BRAZIL – A […]

Headlines: DHS Revises Regs on H-1B1, E-3, CW-1 Nonimmigrants and Certain EB-1 Immigrants – DHS said the final rule does not impose any additional costs on employers, workers, or any governmental entity. Court Delays STEM OPT Ruling, Preserving Current STEM OPT Program – DHS persuaded the court that it was working diligently to evaluate more […]

Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners, PLLC, formerly known as Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, P.L.L.C., announces that David A. Isaacson and Cora-Ann V. Pestaina have become partners in the firm. David A. Isaacson’s practice includes a variety of family-based and employment-based applications for both nonimmigrant visas and permanent residence, as well as waivers, naturalization and […]