In a new development, DHS/Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) has commenced site visits to employer locations that train STEM OPT students. This program began about 12 days ago, and clients have started reporting site visits to verify STEM OPT related information. Advance Notice to Employers: According to the Study in the States website maintained by DHS, [...]
Our latest blog post: When the Executive Order now known as “Buy American and Hire American” was issued in April of 2017, the reaction among businesses and employment based immigrants was one of distress and a sense of hopelessness. Business immigration Practitioners knew the new policy was at best ambiguous and at worst, the [...]
It was obvious, panic and frustration had gripped my client. She blurted out, “they’re killing it, aren’t they?” She was referring to a memo that had just been issued by the USCIS, but it almost sounded like she was referring to the proverbial golden goose. The memo announced a change in policy, restoring and empowering [...]
On May 17th, the USCIS announced it had completed data entry for all fiscal year 2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random selection process, including those selected under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Now, the Service will begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. This process usually takes approximately 8-14 [...]
Each year is different, and this one may be the last when it comes to the present format. The USCIS is changing the H-1B CAP for next year. Employers will no longer be required to file entire petitions to be considered for the CAP next year. In fact, the Service has been trying to change [...]
Mr. G, the president of a multinational company (MNC), wanted me to explore immigration options for a prospective employee (KG). KG is an international student at a U.S. institution, currently in the Optional Practical Training phase of his degree, who works for the branch of the MNC in the U.S. Mr. G wants KG to [...]
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has resorted to steadily increasing its demands for evidence and documentation in H-1B proceedings. Oftentimes, the USCIS remains unconvinced, even when Petitioners provide overwhelming documentation and evidence with the initial petition. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are ten to fourteen pages long and recite a long litany [...]
I shared the outcome of a BALCA appeal with a client who was delighted by its similarity to his own situation; he suggested I share the published decision (now in the public domain) with others who might benefit from the ruling. I demurred until I received this email: Mr. Kidambi, I am an AILA member [...]
The consultation was not going well! Between emotional outbursts berating the USCIS, the young man, originally from India, was trying to explain his situation and clearly not making it any easier on himself. I couldn’t blame him for feeling the way he did. After 12 years of being in this country in H-1B status [...]
USCIS issued two recent policy memos dated June 28th (implementation of this memo has since been postponed) and July 13th (goes into effect September 11, 2018) that have created widespread confusion and panic among H-1B nonimmigrants. Both memos, while not addressing H-1B situations directly, allude to the USCIS’ ability to a) issue denials without having [...]