Headlines: 1. Reading the Tea Leaves: Requests From DHS Office By Trump Transition Team, Policy Statement, Cabinet Nominees Offer Hints -President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has requested various documents and information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that, along with a statement of policies on his website, may provide hints of what Mr. Trump […]
Headlines: 1. Most Previous Forms Accepted Until February 21, But Must Include New Fees -USCIS said it will accept most prior versions of forms until February 21, 2017, but all filings postmarked December 23 or later must include the new fees or they will be rejected. 2. USCIS Urges H-2B Employers To Stop Identifying Returning […]
Headlines: 1. Graham, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan ‘Bridge Act’ for DACA Beneficiaries -Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced bipartisan legislation “to protect undocumented individuals should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program be discontinued.” 2. Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs Through April 28 -The law extends the EB-5 Regional Center Program, […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Publishes Long-Awaited Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Visa Programs -USCIS has issued a final rule, effective January 17, 2017, to provide greater flexibility for high-skilled foreign professionals. The new regulations also codify current informal administrative guidance about statutory provisions added in 2000. 2. USCIS Revises I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form -By January […]
Headlines: 1. Atlanta NPC To Issue PERM Notifications Via Email Beginning in December -Starting December 1, 2016, the ANPC also will receive via email ETA Form 9089 audit responses and responses to Requests for Information, Additional Audit Information Requests, and Notices of Decisions for Appeals. The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification offered […]
Headlines: 1. ABIL, Commenters Weigh In on USCIS Proposed Rule on Parole for Entrepreneurs -The comment period ended October 17, 2016, and yielded hundreds of comments. 2. DHS Extends TPS for Nepal -DHS is extending the designation of Nepal for TPS through June 24, 2018. The 60-day re-registration period runs through December 27, 2016. 3. […]
Headlines: 1. U.S. Supreme Court Denies Rehearing in U.S. v. Texas -The Court’s refusal to reconsider the case means that DAPA and expanded DACA remain blocked. The original DACA program is unaffected. 2. USCIS Increases Validity of Work Permits to Two Years for Asylum Applicants -USCIS has increased the validity period for initial or renewal […]
Headlines: 1. Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Extends Immigration Programs to December -The immigration-related programs extended by the bill include E-Verify, EB-5 regional centers, EB-4 non-ministerial religious workers, and Conrad 30 for J-1 medical workers. 2. USCIS No Longer Requires 2 Photos With Naturalization Application -All Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) applicants, except those who reside […]
Headlines: 1. State Dept. Announces Potential Visa Availability in the Coming Months -The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2016 provided an overview of potential visa number availability. 2. State Dept. Announces Expiration of Two Employment-Based Visa Categories -The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2016 announced the expiration at the end of […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Proposes Rule on Parole for Certain International Entrepreneurs -has published a proposed rule to allow certain international entrepreneurs to be considered for parole (temporary permission to be in the United States) so they may start or scale their businesses in the United States. 2. ETA Announces iCERT Enhancement to Streamline H-2A, H-2B […]