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 […]
Immigration Update – November 06, 2023
Headlines: Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence Includes Immigration-Related Provisions – On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” Section 5 of the order, “Promoting Innovation and Competition,” includes various immigration-related provisions. DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap With Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for […]
Immigration Update – October 30, 2023
Headlines: Certain Renewal Applicants for Work Authorization Qualify for Automatic 180-Day Extension – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, qualify for an automatic extension of their expiring work authorization and/or employment authorization documents while their renewal applications are pending. Texas Service Center […]
Immigration Update – October 23, 2023
Headlines: State Dept. Intends to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Applicants – The Department of State intends to resume the renewal of H-1B nonimmigrant visas in the United States for certain applicants, beginning with a pilot program in early 2024, and has sent its proposal to the Office […]
Global Immigration Update – October 2023
FEATURE ARTICLE DIGITAL NOMADS: AN OVERVIEW – Where are we now? This article provides an update on digital nomads in several countries. COUNTRY UPDATES INDIA – In a developing and increasingly complex story, Canada’s Prime Minister has accused India’s government of involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. This has precipitated […]
Global Immigration Update – August 2023
Feature Article ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN IMMIGRATION DECISION-MAKING: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of artificial intelligence considerations in immigration decision-making in the European Union. Country Updates CANADA – Applications are now open for the new H-1B Specialty Occupation visa holder work permit. Also, restrictions on foreigners’ authorized studies have been temporarily removed. HONG […]
Immigration Update – October 16, 2023
Headlines: USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Temporary Nonagricultural Workers for First Half of FY 2024 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2024. October 11, 2023, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject […]
Immigration Update – October 09, 2023
INSIDE THIS ISSUE USCIS Reminds Employers to Start Using New Form I-9 by November 1 Deadline – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded employers about the November 1, 2023, deadline for using the updated I-9 form with the 08/01/2023 edition date, and the Spanish version. DOS Publishes DV-2025 Instructions, List of Countries – […]
Immigration Update – October 04, 2023
Headlines: Shutdown Averted for Now; DHS Releases Fact Sheet on Potential Impact – Shortly before the deadline on 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. Also, the Department of Homeland Security released a fact sheet on the impact […]
Immigration Update – September 26, 2023
Headlines: Potential Government Shutdown Effect on Immigration Agencies – There has been much speculation that the federal government is headed for a shutdown starting October 1, 2023. A shutdown would cause many adverse immigration impacts. USCIS Issues Update on DACA Decision – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued an update about the partial stay of […]
