Headlines: 1. ‘B-1 in Lieu of H-1B’ Option Under Threat – The Department of State is discussing with the Department of Homeland Security removing or substantially modifying the B-1 in lieu of H-1B option. 2. NLRB Updates Immigration Status Procedures During NLRB Proceedings – A new memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) provides […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Announces Cap Count – USCIS announced the cap count as of May 20, 2011. 2. USCIS Proposes EB-5 Changes; Accepting Comments Until June 17 – USCIS has proposed significant changes to the administration of the EB-5 immigrant investor program’s intake and review process. 3. USCIS Launches ‘I-9 Central’ Online – The website […]
Headlines: 1. H-1B Petitions Drop Precipitously – H-1B petition filings as of April have dropped substantially since the same time in previous recent years. 2. USCIS Issues Memo on Procedures for Revocation of a U.S. Passport – The memo provides background and outlines statutes under which U.S. passports may be revoked by the Department of […]
Headlines: 1. Feds Crack Down on Employers – In recent actions, the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC, is investigating Chipotle Mexican Grill about hiring undocumented workers at its 1,092 restaurants; owners of another establishment were arrested for violations related to employing undocumented workers and not paying taxes on them. 2. […]
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 […]