Headlines: 1. California ‘Dream Act’ Becomes Law – California’s Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law the second portion of the California “Dream Act,” AB 131, which allows undocumented students to qualify for state-funded scholarships and financial aid for state universities after other legal resident and U.S. citizen students have applied. 2. Federal Court Halts […]
Headlines: 1. House Judiciary Committee Approves E-Verify Legislation – A date for consideration on the House floor has not yet been set. 2. State Dept. Estimates Employment-Based Visa Availability – The October Visa Bulletin includes estimated visa availability over the coming months. 3. House Holds Hearing on Immigrant Investor Program and Job Creation – The […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Institutes Direct E-Mail Communication for Regional Center Applicants – Form I-924 applicants now are able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via e-mail. 2. USCIS Announces Increase in RC Filings, EB-5 Approvals at Quarterly Meeting – USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said the EB-5 program is a high priority and the agency realizes […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Institutes Direct E-Mail Communication for Regional Center Applicants – Beginning on September 13, 2011, Form I-924 applicants are able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via e-mail. 2. DOL Releases H-2A Employer Filing Tips – The tips remind employers about common mistakes that may result in processing delays for temporary agricultural workers. […]
Headlines: 1. DOL Suspends Prevailing Wage Determinations – Processing of prevailing wage determinations (PWDs), redeterminations, and Center Director Reviews have been suspended temporarily; prevailing wage requests filed since early June 2011 are still pending. 2. Ombudsman Recommends That USCIS Improve EAD Process – The Ombudsman noted that many problem areas remain unaddressed. 3. Obama Administration […]
Headlines: 1. DHS, USCIS Announce Initiative To Promote Startups and Spur Job Creation – Agencies announce efforts to attract foreign entrepreneurial talent to the U.S. 2. ICE Declares ‘Secure Communities’ Mandatory, Not Optional – ICE announced that a memorandum of agreement between ICE and a state is not required to operate Secure Communities in that […]
Headlines: 1. Company Held Liable for Back Wages of H-1B Employee Who Never Worked – The failure to prove every element of a bona fide termination left an employer who petitioned for an H-1B worker’s admission liable for the entire period of authorized employment. 2. Labor Dept. Weighs In on Staggered Dates of Need – […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Changes Timeframes for RFEs – Among other things, the maximum response time for an RFE may not exceed 12 weeks (84 days). 2. USCIS Submits Revision of Basic Pilot Verification MOU to OMB for Review – Comments will be accepted until September 12, 2011. 3. DOS Determines Employment Preference Numerical Limit for […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Holds Immigrant Investor Quarterly Meeting – USCIS discussed case processing times and statistics, visa usage, and use of the governmental logo; regional center economic analysis; and stakeholder suggested topics and questions, including targeted employment areas, solicitation of funds before official RC designation; the use of multiple legal organization plans, and reorganized and […]
Headlines: 1. ICE To Audit 1,000 Employers Nationwide for I-9 Violations – The new actions bring the FY 2011 I-9 audit total to 2,338, surpassing the FY 2010 record. 2. USCIS Summarizes Stakeholder Engagement on L-1B Interpretation of ‘Specialized Knowledge’ – USCIS released an executive summary on the L-1B nonimmigrant classification with respect to interpretation […]