USCIS advises, until further notice, employers should continue using the Form I-9 currently available on I-9 Central, even after the expiration date of August 31 has passed. USCIS will provide updated information about the new version of the form as it becomes available.
USCIS announced that it has returned all FY2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in the lottery. Petitioners who haven’t received a receipt notice or a returned petition for a cap-subject H-1B petition by August 29, 2019, should contact USCIS for assistance. Read the USCIS News Release.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that clearly defines long-standing law to better ensure that aliens seeking to enter and remain in the United States — either temporarily or permanently — are self-sufficient and rely on their own capabilities and the resources of family members, sponsors, and private organizations rather [...]
We have been informed that due to the new biometrics requirement for all I‑539 applicants, USCIS has discontinued its prior practice of providing premium processing as a courtesy for I‑539s filed concurrently with an I‑129 petition. We believe this could cause significant delays and impact H-4 and L-2 EAD extensions.
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 7/10/19, the House passed H.R. 1044 by a vote of 365 to 65. If enacted, the bill would eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants and increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants from 7 percent to 15 percent. Read the pdf of the H.R. 1044 bill.
USCIS 60-day notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to the electronic H-1B Registration Tool. Comments are due 8/26/19. Federal Register Notice
USCIS released a report on H-1B approvals and denials for the top 30 employers with the most initial and continuing approvals for FY2018. The report also includes data on the percentage of completions with RFEs from FY2015 to the first quarter of FY2019.
USCIS releases data on H-1B receipts, completions, and RFE from FY2015 to FY2019 (through 3/31/19).
USCIS will begin premium processing for all remaining FY2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions on 6/10/19. Petitioners may file a Request for Premium Processing Service, with the USCIS service center processing their petition on that date. USCIS will not use pre-paid mailers between 6/10/19 and 6/24/19. Read the news release.