Immigration Update – March 18, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Implements Streamlined Process to Shorten Wait Times for EADs, SSNs for Refugees – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing a streamlined process to provide Employment Authorization Documents more efficiently to eligible refugees after they are admitted into the United States. USCIS will also electronically provide the Social Security Administration with the information […]
Immigration Update – March 11, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2024, Announces Filing Dates for Supplemental Visas – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024. USCIS also announced the filing dates for supplemental H-2B visas for the […]
Immigration Update – March 04, 2024
Headlines: FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Period Opens Soon; USCIS Issues Reminders for Employers About Online Filing, Other New Requirements for Cap and Non-Cap Petitions – The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap season will open at noon ET on March 6, 2024, and run through noon ET on March 22, 2024. A USCIS online […]
Immigration Update – February 26, 2024
Headlines: E-Verify to Pilot ‘Next Generation’ Service in Spring 2024 – E-Verify+ will include streamlining of Form I-9 and the employment eligibility verification process. DOS Signs MOU With Germany on Exchange Visitor Program – The Department of State has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany to allow certain German principals to come to the […]
Immigration Update – February 21, 2024
Headlines: Mayorkas Impeached; Conviction in Senate Seems Unlikely – After a previous failed attempt to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Republicans in the House of Representatives succeeded in impeaching Mr. Mayorkas on February 13. Conviction in the Senate seems highly unlikely. President Orders Deferred Enforced Departure for Palestinians in the United States – […]
Immigration Update – February 12, 2024
Headlines: Mayorkas Impeachment Attempt Fails, But Republicans May Try Again After Killing Proposed Bipartisan Bill to Address Border Issues – On February 6, 2024, Republicans in the House of Representatives tried but failed to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In the same week as the impeachment vote, Senate Republicans killed a border […]
Immigration Update – February 4, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Announces Registration Period, Instructions, and Updates for FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season will open at noon ET on March 6, 2024, and run through noon ET on March 22, 2024. USCIS Issues Final […]
Immigration Update – January 28, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Releases Additional Details About Organizational Accounts – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services unveiled additional details about its launch of organizational accounts in February 2024, in time for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season. USCIS May Excuse Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests Under ‘Extraordinary Circumstances’ – U.S. Citizenship […]
Immigration Update – January 22, 2024
Headlines: DOS Provides Guidance, FAQs on Domestic Renewal of H-1B Visas for Certain Applicants – The Department of State has released guidance and frequently asked questions on its new pilot program to resume domestic visa renewals for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The pilot program will accept applications from January 29, […]
Immigration Update – January 16, 2024
Headlines: USCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling ‘Online Collaboration’ and Submission of H-1B Registrations – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to launch organizational accounts for non-cap filings and the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season. Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for First Half of FY 2024 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration […]
Immigration Update – January 08, 2024
Headlines: USCIS Issues Guidance on ‘Ability to Pay’ Requirement When Adjustment Applicants Change Employers – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance, effective immediately, on how it analyzes an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications, including instances when the […]
Immigration Update – January 02, 2024
Headlines: DHS Increases Premium Processing Fees – On February 26, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security will increase premium processing fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. DOJ Threatens to Sue Texas Over State Migration Bill – The Department of Justice sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatening to sue the state […]
Immigration Update – December 26, 2023
Headlines: State Dept. Announces Pilot Program to Resume Domestic H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Renewals – The pilot program will accept applications from January 29 to April 1, 2024. OFLC Reminds Employers About Deadlines for Peak H-2A Filing Season – The federal Department of Labor announced that from January 2-4, 2024, it will accept H-2B applications for […]
Immigration Update – December 18, 2023
Headlines: USCIS Reaches FY 2024 H-1B Cap – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2024. DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Reiterating […]
Immigration Update – December 11, 2023
Headlines: OFLC Announces Annual Determination of H-2A Labor Supply States for U.S. Worker Recruitment – The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Administrator has determined that current requirements for labor supply states will remain in effect, with one modification: OFLC will no longer recognize North Carolina and Texas as traditional labor supply […]
Immigration Update – December 04, 2023
Headlines: Three Important Cases Pending Before U.S. Supreme Court – Three important cases are pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. According to observers, at stake are the legitimacy of the current U.S. immigration court system and a longstanding precedent decision. DOS Proposes Updates to Au Pair Exchange Visitor Program – The Department of State proposes […]
Global Immigration Update – December 04, 2023
FEATURE ARTICLE RED FLAGS IN EMPLOYMENT LAW RELATED TO IMMIGRATION: AN OVERVIEW –This article provides an update on red flags in employment law related to immigration in several countries. COUNTRY UPDATES ITALY – On November 13, 2023, the European Union (EU) Council adopted new rules to allow online filing of Schengen visa applications. Also, a […]
Immigration Update – November 27, 2023
Headlines: USCIS Expands myProgress to Forms I-485 and I-821 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is expanding myProgress (formerly known as personalized processing times) to Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. myProgress will initially only be available for family-based […]
Immigration Update – November 20, 2023
Headlines: DHS Increases FY 2024 Limit on H-2B Nonagricultural Workers and Provides Portability – In consultation with the Department of Labor, the Department of Homeland Security is increasing the total number of noncitizens who may receive an H-2B nonimmigrant visa by up to 64,716 for fiscal year 2024. 20,000 visas are reserved for nationals of […]
Immigration Update – November 13, 2023
Headlines: Here We Go Again: Federal Government Shutdown Possible After November 17 – As many know, before a deadline of September 30, 2023, Congress passed and President Biden signed H.R. 5860, a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government funded for 45 days. A shutdown is still possible after November 17. Apple Settles […]
