NEWS
H-1B
USCIS Provides Additional Guidance on H-1B Employer-Employee Relationship in Q&A
Yesterday, 1/13/2010, the Service issued an updated guidance memo to adjudication officers clarifying the requirements to establish an employer-employee relationship to qualify for the H-1B 'specialty occupation' classification. Now, the USCIS has followed up with a Q&A. USCIS QandA on Employer-Employee Relationship.
Neufeld Memo Outlines Employer-Employee Relationship in H-1B Context
This memorandum is intended to provide guidance, in the context of H-1B petitions, on the requirement that a petitioner establish that an employer-employee relationship exists and will continue to exist with the beneficiary throughout the duration of the requested H-1B validity period. Given the confusion Computer Consulting Companies have faced recently, while documenting [...]
Site Visits and Immigration Audits of H-1B Employers
We have learned from AILA that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) has commenced a broad review and assessment of the H-1B program. Approximately 20,000 Applications from Vermont and an equal number from California have been forwarded to the FDNS, to allow it [...]
H-1B Rules for TARP Funded Employers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced additional requirements for employers, who receive funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program or under section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act (covered funding). Read the TARP_H1B Press Release.
USCIS Removes Receipt Requirement for Certain H and L Adjustment Applicants Returning From a Trip Outside the United States
"This rule removes the requirement that certain H and L nonimmigrants returning to the United States following a trip abroad must present a receipt notice for their adjustment of status applications to avoid having such applications deemed abandoned. The purpose of this narrow change is to remove an unnecessary documentation requirement from the [...]
Significant Memo from USCIS Alters Meaning of Time Spent in H Status
In a significant development, the USCIS has ruled that time spent in H-4 or L-2 classification does not count against the maximum allowable period of stay in H-1B and L-1 status. USCIS Memo of Admission H_L This memorandum provides guidance in three areas regarding how adjudicators should determine periods of admissions for an [...]
Administrative Review Board (ARB) Discusses “Bona Fide Termination” of Employment
The ARB, in a Decision dated September 29, 2006 (AMTEL Group of Florida, Inc. v. Rungvichit Yongmahapakorn ARB, Case No. 04-087), held that the H-1B employer did not effect "bona fide termination" of employment when they failed to notify the USCIS promptly upon letting go of the H-1B worker. Until this is [...]
AC21 Guidance Amended Regarding I-140 Portability
USCIS Acting Director of Domestic Operations, Michael Aytes recently amended the 5/12/05 Aytes memo to clarify how I-140 portability is treated in an adjustment of status application. The only real change is to the Question 1 in Section 1. Click Here for Memo.