Headlines: 1. Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs for Three Years – The non-minister religious worker, “Conrad 30,” EB-5 immigrant investor pilot, and E-Verify programs are extended for three years, until September 30, 2012. 2. USCIS Ombudsman Recommends Temporary Acceptance of Filed LCAs for Certain H-1B Filings – The USCIS ombudsman made several recommendations in light […]
Headlines: 1. DHS Rescinds ‘No-Match’ Rules – DHS said it will focus its enforcement efforts relating to the employment of unauthorized workers on improved verification. 2. Congress Poised To Extend Four Immigration Programs for Three Years – The final conference report includes a three-year extension for four immigration programs: (1) the E-Verify program; (2) the […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Says Fees May Rise – A decline in revenue from a decrease in applications could lead to higher application fees. 2. Labor Dept. Issues FAQ on LCAs – The Department issued a FAQ about the new iCERT Portal and the newly redesigned ETA Forms 9035 and 9035E. 3. ABIL Alert: Be Prepared […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Issues Guidance on E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule – Companies awarded a contract with the E-Verify clause are now required to enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. 2. October Visa Bulletin Shows EB-3s Backlogged 7 Years, Several Programs Expiring on September 30 – EB-3 cut-off dates are in […]
Headlines: 1. DHS Proposes To Rescind Social Security No-Match Rule; SEVIS Data To Be Integrated Into E-Verify – DHS has proposed to rescind amendments relating to procedures that employers may take to acquire a safe harbor from receipt of no-match letters. 2. OMB Extends I-9 Approval to August 31, 2012 – Employers may use the […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Reopens FY 2009 H-2B Petition Filing Period – The Department of State received far fewer than expected requests for H-2B visas and has announced that it will immediately accept new H-2B petitions. 2. State Dept. Introduces Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form – The new DS-160 Web-based nonimmigrant visa application form is part […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Issues Guidance to Employers Whose H-1B Petitions for Health Care Specialty Occupations Are Denied – Employers whose petitions were denied on certain bases should send an e-mail to the USCIS Service Center that issued the denial to request review. 2. DHS Secretary Announces Support for Federal Contractor E-Verify Rule, Intention to Rescind […]
Headlines: 1. More on E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule Delay – USCIS has instructed federal contractors not to use E-Verify to verify current employees until the final rule becomes effective on September 8, 2009, and they are awarded a contract that includes the FAR’s E-Verify clause. 2. China, India EB-2 Priority Dates Progress in August; DOS […]
Headlines: 1. Current I-9 Form Validity Extended Beyond June 30 – The I-9 form currently in use will continue to be valid beyond June 30, 2009. 2. H-1B Processing Time Will Increase July 1 – The ability to file an H-1B extension or change of employer petition for an H-1B employee on a same-day, or […]
Headlines: 1. Outlook Grim for India, China Employment-Based Visa Categories – The July cut-off date for the India and China EB-2 categories is January 1, 2000; both could become unavailable in August or September and remain unavailable indefinitely. 2. E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule Delayed Until September 8, 2009 – The effective date to require federal […]