Headlines: 1. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Update: New Office; Stats, Summary Released – USCIS has announced formation of a new EB-5 program office. Also, USCIS released FY 2012 third-quarter statistics at its stakeholder call in July, and released a summary of questions and answers from the previous stakeholder meeting in May. USCIS also announced that it […]
Headlines: 1. U.S., Canada Issue Joint Statement on ‘Beyond the Border’ Initiative – The action plan includes 32 initiatives and calls for enhancements to programs that help trusted businesses and travelers move efficiently across the border; introduces new measures to facilitate movement and trade; and invests in improvements to shared infrastructure and technology. 2. DOL […]
Headlines: 1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Most Provisions of Arizona’s Immigration Enforcement Law – The Supreme Court struck down most provisions of Arizona’s 2010 immigration-related law, allowing to stand one provision requiring police to verify immigration status in certain circumstances. 2. Continued Heavy Demand in Employment Second Preference Category Leads to Worldwide Cut-Off Date for […]
Headlines: 1. President Announces Deferred Action, Work Authorization for Certain Children of Undocumented Persons – In a surprise move, President Barack Obama announced that certain children of undocumented persons may be granted deferred action and work authorization based on prosecutorial discretion. 2. H-1B Cap Reached – H-1B numbers for FY 2013 have run out. 3. […]
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 Issues Precedent Decision on P-3 Performing Artist/Entertainer Nonimmigrant Visa Petition – The decision addresses the term “culturally unique” and its significance in adjudicating petitions […]
Headlines: 1. India, China EB-2 Category Unavailable for Remainder of FY 2012 – The Department of State’s Visa Office has announced that this category is now “Unavailable” for both India and China and will remain so for the remainder of fiscal year 2012. 2. NLRB Issues Guidance on Compliance Cases – Among other things, a […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Creates Controversy Over Tenant-Occupancy Economic Model – USCIS issued a memo in February questioning certain EB-5 projects that use a tenant-occupancy economic model. USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas held a call on April 27 on the tenant-occupancy economic model and related RFEs. USCIS issued guidance on May 8 on what deference it would […]
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 […]
Headlines: 1. FY 2013 H-1B Petitions Coming In Fast So Far – The H-1B cap could be reached more quickly than last year. 2. India, China EB-2 Category To Retrogress Dramatically – As predicted for May, the India and China EB-2 priority dates will retrogress dramatically, from May 1, 2010, to August 15, 2007. 3. […]
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 […]