Headlines: 1.        USCIS Launches Online Immigration System – Individuals can establish a USCIS ELIS account and apply online to extend or change their nonimmigrant status for certain visa types. 2.        USCIS EB-5 Stakeholders Meeting Provides Little New Information – USCIS did not answer stakeholder questions that had been submitted before the meeting. 3.        Senators Urge Mayorkas […]
In May, as predicted, the India and China priority dates in the employment-based second preference (EB-2) green card category retrogressed dramatically, from May 1, 2010, to August 15, 2007. The EB-2 category is for people with advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability. The Department of State’s Visa Office has announced that this category is […]
Headlines 1.        FY 2013 H-1B Petitions Coming In Fast – Over 25,000 cap-subject H-1B petitions have been filed as of April 20, 2012. 2.        India, China EB-2 Category Retrogresses Dramatically – As predicted for May, the India and China EB-2 priority dates have retrogressed dramatically, from May 1, 2010, to August 15, 2007. 3.        DOL Changes Effective […]
Headlines: 1.        FY 2013 H-1B Filing Season Begins – Beginning on April 2, 2012, employers may file cap-subject H-1B petitions for FY 2013, for employment starting on October 1, 2012, or later. 2.        Department of State Amends Fees for Consular Services – The Department issued an interim final rule increasing fees for consular services for nonimmigrant visa […]
Headlines: 1. FY 2013 H-1B Filing Season Rapidly Approaches – Beginning on April 2, 2012 (because April 1 is a Sunday), employers may file cap-subject H-1B petitions for fiscal year (FY) 2013, for employment starting on October 1, 2012, or later. 2. Witnesses Discuss Controversial DHS OIG Report at House Hearing -The report, which indicates that […]
By Cyrus D. Mehta* Green Card Stories is a gem of a book, and I feel inspired to write about it. Written by award winning journalist, Saundra Amrhein, with stunning photographs by award winning photographer, Ariana Lindquist, the book puts a human face on immigration through the journeys of 50 individuals who got their green […]
Headlines: 1. DOJ’s Office of Special Counsel Lists Employer Best Practices During Worksite Enforcement Audits – The Department of Justice’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices released do’s and don’ts for employers facing ICE audits. 2. USCIS Announces Several Thousand EB-5 Green Cards Issued So Far in First Quarter of FY 2012, Releases […]
Headlines: ETA Announces 2012 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for H-2A Workers -The AEWRs range from a low of $9.30 per hour in Mississippi and Louisiana to aК high of $12.26 per hour in Hawaii. USCIS Changes Stand-Alone I-130 Filing Locations – USCIS announced that effective January 1, 2012, it has changed the filing locations for Form I-130. […]
Headlines: 1.        H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2012 – Petitions for new employment of an H-1B will not be accepted again until April 1, 2012. 2.        House Votes To End Per-Country Limits on Employment-Based Immigration Visas – The measure could benefit skilled Indian and Chinese workers and high-tech companies in the United States. 3.        Labor Dept. Current […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on November 14, 2011, that it has accepted (approved or pending) 56,300 H-1B petitions subject to the 65,000 numerical limitation (cap) for fiscal year (FY) 2012. Up to 6,800 visas are set aside from the 65,000 cap during each fiscal year for the H-1B1 program under the terms […]
