Headlines: 1. OCAHO Launches E-Filing Pilot, Rules That E-Verify Participation Does Not Provide Blanket Protection – OCAHO has launched a voluntary pilot program to test an electronic filing system in certain cases. Also, an employer argued that participation in E-Verify entitled it to a presumption that it had not violated the law, but OCAHO ruled […]
Headlines: 1. DHS Proposes Rule To Extend Work Authorization To Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses of H-1B Nonimmigrants – DHS has proposed extending the availability of employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants. The extension would be limited to H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking lawful permanent resident […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Holds Stakeholder Call on L-1A Site Visits – The L-1 inspection program is being phased in and may be extended to initial petitions and/or L-1Bs in the future. 2. USCIS H-1B Premium Processing Has Begun for FY 2015 Petitions – On April 28, 2014, USCIS began premium processing for H-1B petitions subject […]
Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2015 – USCIS received about 172,500 H-1B petitions during the filing period that began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. 2. White House To Propose New Regs, Steps To Attract Entrepreneurs – Among other things, proposed regulations will include rules authorizing employment for spouses […]
Headlines 1. USCIS Holds Teleconference With EB-5 Stakeholders – Nicholas Colucci, the new director of USCIS’s Immigrant Investor Program Office, led the teleconference. 2. USCIS Releases New EB-5 Statistics; Chinese Petitions Surge – Chinese investors now account for more than 80% of EB-5 visas issued, up from 13% a decade ago. 3. State Dept. Reports […]
Headlines: 1. File H-1B Petitions for FY 2015 Now! – USCIS anticipates receiving more than enough petitions to reach both caps by April 7. 2. USCIS, Healthcare.gov Provide Highlights of Immigration Status Effects on ACA Eligibility – Immigration status can affect eligibility for health care benefits under the Affordable Care Act. 3. USCIS Holds Teleconference […]
Headlines: 1. OCAHO Reduces Employer’s Fines for I-9 Violations – The total penalty sought was $21,598.50, which was reduced to $9,450. 2. DOL Releases 2014 Allowable Charges for Agricultural Workers – The notice announces (1) the allowable charges for 2014 that employers seeking H-2A workers may charge their workers when the employer provides three meals […]
Headlines: 1. State Dept. Announces J-1 On-Site Inspections – DOS plans to conduct on-site inspections of J-1 internships and training programs. 2. State Dept. Predicts Visa Availability in the Coming Months; Visa Bulletin Moved – The Department of State’s Visa Office has estimated visa availability in the coming months. Also, DOS has reorganized its website, […]
Headlines: 1. Third Circuit Rules That H-2B Regulation on Minimum Wage Is Valid – Among other things, the court noted that the Department of Labor is not required to consider employer hardship but instead must balance the interests of ensuring an adequate labor force with protecting the jobs of U.S. workers. 2. DOL Administrative Review […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Expands Site Visits To Review of L-1 Petitions – The agency is reviewing extensions of L-1 petitions and L-1 job duties and salaries to determine whether they are consistent with the L-1’s classification. 2. H-1B Alert: Filing Starts April 1 for Next Fiscal Year – This past fiscal year, H-1B numbers were […]