Headlines: 1. DOS Reports on Employment-Based Visa Demand; First Preference ‘Extremely Low’ – Demand in the employment first preference is extremely low; it also appears unlikely that a second preference cut-off date will be imposed for any countries other than China and India, where demand is extremely high. 2. Case Updates: El Badrawi; Arizona – […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Releases Data at Stakeholders Meeting: EB-5 Visa Usage, RC Filings High – USCIS is on track to approve a record number of EB-5 visas; Regional Center filings in the first quarter of FY 2011 have already exceeded those for all of FY 2010. 2. USCIS Releases Executive Summary of December 2010 EB-5 […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Begins Accepting H-1B Petitions – As of April 1, 2011, USCIS has begun accepting H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2012 cap of 65,000. 2. USCIS Launches E-Verify Self Check – This new voluntary service enables individuals to check their own employment eligibility status at no charge. 3. New Validation Instrument for […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Proposes Rule on Registration Requirement for H-1B Petitioners – The rule, which would not take effect until next year, proposes to require employers seeking to petition for H-1B cap-subject workers to first file electronic registrations during a designated registration period. 2. USCIS Announces Relief for Japanese, Pacific Nationals Stranded in U.S. Following […]
Headlines: 1. Mayorkas Discusses USCIS Goals for 2011; VIBE System Introduced – The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers recommends that clients check their profile and make sure that the major areas are correct to avoid requests for evidence in the future. 2. E-Verify Self-Check Going Live in March – The self-check process is voluntary and […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Issues Work Authorization and Advance Parole on Single Card for Adjustment Applicants – The card will serve as both an employment authorization and advance parole document. 2. Export Controls Attestation Requirement Starts February 20 – As of February 20, 2011, employers must fill out the export controls attestation in Part 6 of […]
Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2011 – January 26, 2011, is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2011. 2. ICE Announces New I-9 Compliance Inspection Center, Partnership With Tyson Foods; Audits Increase – Fifteen additional auditors will focus their efforts on major […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Revises I-9 Manual for Employers – The handbook includes expanded guidance on lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees, and acceptable documents for employees in TPS. 2. E-Verify Update: USCIS Updates Web Interface, Launches Newsletter; House Hearings Soon – USCIS has made changes to its E-Verify Web interface, and has launched a newsletter […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Holds Quarterly Stakeholders Meeting – As part of a quarterly EB-5 stakeholders call, USCIS released statistics on usage of the EB-5 program for FY 2010 and other information. 2. USCIS Confirms Indirect Job Creation Can Occur Outside Regional Center Boundaries – USCIS recently agreed to count jobs indirectly created outside the geographical […]
Headlines: 1. DREAM Act Fails in Senate – Prospects are dim for further developments in the near future, although Democrats vowed to push for the legislation and to include it in any comprehensive immigration reform bill. 2. USCIS Delays Deemed Export Attestation on New I-129 – The new edition of Form I-129, Petition for a […]