March 2019 Immigration Update

Headlines: Trump Administration Moves Ahead on Reversing H-4 EADs – On February 20, 2019, the Trump administration sent a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review that would halt work authorization for H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders in the United States. Premium Processing Resumes for H-1B Petitions Filed by […]

Mid-February 2019 Immigration Update

Headlines: USCIS Clarifies Advance Parole Policy When Renewal Application Is Pending – The USCIS Ombudsman reported that the agency has resolved a discrepancy in the application of policy concerning persons with advance parole who recently filed renewal applications and then left the United States. USCIS To Issue New Version of Form I-539 and New I-539A, […]

February 2019 Immigration Update

Headlines: DHS Prioritizes U.S. Advanced Degrees in H-1B Final Rule; Electronic Registration Requirement Postponed – DHS has published a final rule amending regulations governing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those that may be eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The final rule reverses the order by which USCIS selects H-1B petitions under the H-1B regular cap […]

Mid-January 2019 Immigration Update

Headlines: Begin Work on H-1B Petitions Now, the Firm’s Attorneys Urge; H-1B Tips for Employers – Employers should assess their need for H-1B employees and begin working on their H-1B petitions now. Filing season is expected to open April 1, 2019, for FY 2020 cap-subject H-1B visas. DOL’s iCERT System Crashed on January 1, Preventing […]

January 2019 Immigration Update

Headlines: January Visa Bulletin Shows Significant Progress in EB-1, EB-3, and Other Workers India – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for January 2019 shows significant progress in the EB-1 category for all chargeability areas, as well as in the EB-3 and Other Workers India categories. Other priority dates remain Current or backlogged with little […]