Headlines: 1. DHS Issues FAQ on Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling – Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said she has “directed [USCIS] to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse.” 2. DOL Labor Certification Registry Goes Live – […]
Headlines: 1. Signaling Flexibility Within Limits, USCIS Releases Final Version of EB-5 Policy Memo – USCIS has released the final version of a long-awaited memorandum on EB-5 adjudications policy that went through four iterations beginning in November 2011. 2. USCIS Holds EB-5 Stakeholder Engagement With SEC on Securities Law Compliance – The SEC provided an […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Passes Comprehensive Immigration Reform; House Passage Uncertain – On June 27, 2013, the full Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation, 68-32. 2. Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling Opens Door to Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses – About 30,000 same-sex binational couples may now be eligible for immigration benefits, thanks to the Supreme Court’s […]
Headlines: 1. Full Senate Considers Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill; House Approval Uncertain – The Senate is now debating the bill and considering amendments. A full vote is possible by the end of June. 2. Temporary Protected Status Extended for Salvadorans – DHS has extended TPS for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Committee Approves Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill – On May 21, 2013, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended S. 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013,” by a bipartisan vote of 13-5. The bill now goes to the Senate floor. 2. Signaling Flexibility Within Limits, USCIS Releases […]
Headlines: 1. Senate Committee Begins Markup of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill – Additional markup dates are scheduled; the process is expected to be lengthy and involve numerous amendments. 2. DHS Orders Verification of Student Visas in Wake of Boston Bombings – Border agents are to use flight manifest information to verify student visa status, and […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Posts EB-5 Memorandum for Public Comment – USCIS posted an updated memorandum on the EB-5 program, and is soliciting public comment. 2. H-1B Filing Starts April 1 – Companies should prepare to file H-1B petitions, and evaluate their anticipated hiring needs for H-1B professionals for the 12-month period beginning on October 1, […]
Headlines: 1. DOL, DHS Publish Interim Final Rule on H-2B Prevailing Wage Methodology; DOL, USCIS Resume Processing – The rule revises the prevailing wage methodology used by the DOL to calculate certain prevailing wages paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification. 2. CBP Rolling […]
Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Reached – H-1B cap-subject petitions reached the limit on April 5. 2. CBP To Launch New Arrival/Departure Record Process for Foreign Visitors – Under the new process, CBP will no longer require international nonimmigrant visitors to fill out a paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record upon arrival to the U.S. by air […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS-SEC Call Highlights Complexities of EB-5 Program – SEC subject matter experts discussed securities law compliance in the context of EB-5 regional centers and investments. 2. USCIS Issues Third Draft of Adjudications Policy Memo – Several commenters recommended revisions.3. USCIS Holds EB-5 Stakeholder Call on E-Filing Initiative – USCIS is considering integrating EB-5 […]