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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Headlines: ICE Arrests 163 in Recent Enforcement Actions in New Jersey, New England – In several recent enforcement actions, ICE arrested 163 people in New Jersey and the New England region of the United States. Justice Dept. Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim Against Mrs. Fields’ Cookies – Under the settlement, Mrs. Fields will pay $26,400 in […]
Headlines: DHS to Propose ‘Merit-Based’ Rule for H-1B Visa Program – The proposed rule, to be published on December 3, 2018, is intended to increase the number of beneficiaries with master’s or higher degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education to be selected for H-1B cap numbers and to introduce “a more meritorious selection of […]
Feature Article DATA PROTECTION IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of data protection in India. Country Updates CANADA – Canada has expanded biometric information collection for foreign nationals. HONG KONG – A landmark decision by Hong Kong’s highest court means that same-sex spouses and partners may now receive dependent visas. ITALY […]
Headlines: University of California Wins Preliminary Injunction in DACA Ninth Circuit Appeal – The court said that the rescission of DACA was based “solely on a misconceived view of the law” and is reviewable, and that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that it must be set aside. Trump Administration Bars Certain Asylum […]
Headlines: Lawsuit Challenges New USCIS Policy on ‘Unlawful Presence’ for Foreign Students and Exchange Visitors – Several institutions of higher education have challenged a recently announced Trump administration policy, effective August 9, 2018, changing the calculation of the number of days of “unlawful presence” for nonimmigrant foreign students. E-Verify Reminds Employers Not to Terminate Employees […]
Headlines: F-1 ‘Cap-Gap’ Status, Work Authorization Extension No Longer Valid as of October 1 – USCIS reminded F-1 students who have an H-1B petition that remained pending on October 1, 2018, that they risk accruing unlawful presence if they continue to work on or after October 1 (unless otherwise authorized to continue employment) because their […]
