Immigration Insider
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 6, No. 1B • January 15, 2010
Headlines: 1. USCIS Issues Controversial Memo on Determining Employer-Employee Relationships for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions – The memo states that a lack of guidance clearly defining what constitutes a valid employer-employee relationship has raised problems. 2. SSA Fails To Verify 19 Percent of New Hires – The SSA also improperly E-Verified volunteers who should not […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 6, No. 1A • January 01, 2010
Headlines: 1. FY 2010 H-1B Cap Reached – December 21, 2009, is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2010. 2. H-1C Nonimmigrant Nurse Classification Expires – The H-1C nonimmigrant nurse category expired on December 21, 2009. 3. USCIS Changes Address of Filing Location for […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No 12B • December 15, 2009
Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Count Near Limit; File Now or Wait Until April – The pace of H-1B filings has increased significantly in recent weeks. 2. Self-Check Verification In the Works, USCIS Head Says; ‘Verification Initiative for Business Enterprise’ Discussed – The recent pace of filings suggests that H-1B numbers may be exhausted for this […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 12A • December 01, 2009
Headlines: 1. ICE Workplace Audits Stepped Up – ICE has stepped up audits of companies’ hiring records to determine compliance with employment eligibility verification laws. 2. USCIS Updates H-1B FY 2010 Cap Count – The recent pace of filings suggests that H-1B numbers may be exhausted for this fiscal year very soon. 3. SEVP Announces […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 11B • November 15, 2009
Headlines: 1. USCIS Reminds Applicants for Travel Documents To Apply Early – USCIS issued a fact sheet outlining eligibility requirements, the consequences of traveling without advance parole for affected persons, and the possible consequences of using advance parole after being unlawfully present in the U.S. or to return to the country of claimed persecution. 2. […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 11A • November 01, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 10B • October 15, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 10A • October 01, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 9B • September 15, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 9A • September 01, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 8B • August 15, 2009
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 […]
News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 5, No. 8A • August 01, 2009
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 […]