NEWS
H-1B
Presidential Proclamation Limiting Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants
This evening, President Trump issued a proclamation continuing Proclamation 10014 from April 22nd At the outset, here is what you need to know: Most domestic immigration – H-1Bs, L-1s, Os, Ps and all other forms of nonimmigrant visas including, H-1B CAP filings are unaffected Change of Employment and Extensions of nonimmigrant status [...]
USCIS Issues Updated Policy Guidance and Rescinds Two Policy Memos Regarding the Adjudication of Certain H-1B Petitions
USCIS issued a memo rescinding two policy memoranda regarding the adjudication of certain petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant classification. USCIS is issuing updated policy guidance in their place. The rescinded memos are: Determining Employer-Employee Relationship for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions, Including Third-Party Site Placements (Reference AFM Chapter 31.3(g)(16) ), HQ 70/6.2.8 (AD 10-24), issued [...]
USCIS Announces Resumption of Premium Processing for Certain Petitions
USCIS announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129 and Form I-140, with effective dates during June on which USCIS will begin accepting premium processing requests for specific applications. Effective June 22, USCIS plans to resume premium processing for all Form I-129 petitions.
**RUMOR REPORT** Presidential Proclamation Barring Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants**RUMOR REPORT**
We have been tracking certain reports that an additional Presidential Proclamation barring entry of certain nonimmigrants appears to be imminent. Here is what we know at this point. This news item is courtesy the American Immigration Lawyers Association Timing The President may be making a decision on the scope of the proclamation as [...]
Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market
I am writing to provide you with update on what started as a sensational Tweet two days ago – the plan to “suspend immigration” to the United States. We now know what the plan entails, and I am providing you with a short summary offering a bit more clarity and a way to [...]
Immigration Impact Of President Trump’s Tweet Temporarily Suspending Immigration Into The United States
Last night, President Trump tweeted: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!' This tweet has caused great anxiety among immigrants in general [...]
USCIS news release on COVID-19 Delays in Extension/Change of Status Filings
USCIS issued a news release with options for nonimmigrants who may unexpectedly remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized period of stay due to COVID-19. USCIS advises that they individuals can file EOS/COS applications, and VWP entrants can request an additional 30-day period of satisfactory departure. Read the news release. [...]
USCIS Announces FY2021 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions May Be Filed as of April 1
USCIS announced that H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2021, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption,may now be filed with USCIS if based on a valid selected registration. A petitioner is only eligible to file an FY 2021 H-1B cap-subject petition if they electronically registered the beneficiary in the H-1B registration [...]
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection has Commenced
The USCIS has commenced the selection of H-1B registrations. You may begin seeing selected candidates in your MyUSCIS account. As indicated in an earlier post, USCIS intends to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than March 31, 2020, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named [...]
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed
USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to reach the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap). USCIS randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted. USCIS intend to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than March 31, 2020, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition [...]
Can H-1Bs and other nonimmigrants apply for unemployment benefits?
As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, several businesses and employees have been impacted. Several questions arise in this context regarding status, unemployment benefits and the all-important question as to whether seeking and receiving unemployment benefits would be considered a public benefit under the public charge rule. To address the possibility that some aliens [...]
USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Read the USCIS announcement
USCIS Announces Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures During COVID-19 National Emergency
USCIS today announced that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 National Emergency announced by President Trump on March 13, 2020, they will accept all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures, including the Form I-129, Petition for Non immigrant Worker, for submissions dated March 21, 2020, and beyond. USCIS already accepts various petitions, [...]
USCIS H-1B Registration Ends
The USCIS Registration for CAP subject H-1Bs ends at noon ET today. Registration Selection Notifications As stated on the USCIS website, the Service intends to notify registrants and their representatives with selected registrations via their USCIS online accounts no later than March 31, 2020. April 1st will be the earliest a selected petition [...]
Form I-9, Employment Verification During COVID-19
DHS Announces Flexibility in Requirements Related to Form I-9 Compliance Due to precautions being implemented by employers and employees related to physical proximity associated with COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it will exercise discretion to defer the physical presence requirements associated with Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) [...]
Reminder: USCIS H-1B Registration Closes at Noon (ET), March 20
USCIS H-1B Registration Closes at Noon (ET), March 20. Other Key Dates: March 1: H-1B registration period opens at noon ET. March 20: H-1B registration period closes at noon ET. March 31: Date by which USCIS intends to notify selected registrants. April 1: The earliest date that FY 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions may [...]
USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for FY2021 Cap-Subject Petitions
USCIS announced the temporary suspension of premium processing service for FY 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Petitioners filing FY 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions will not be able to request premium processing when USCIS begins accepting cap-subject petitions on April 1. Until premium processing resumes for FY 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions, USCIS will reject any [...]
2020 H-1B Cap FAQ Webinar
“It is great to see such excellence in US immigration services and all credits to Vaman for the best orchestration on every webinar! It was fantastic! I’m proud to be associated with Attorney Vaman Kidambi, and his firm/team. ” This informative webinar was the second one hosted by Kidambi & Associates that [...]
USCIS Announces H-1B Registration Account Creation
USCIS announced the implementation of electronic registration process for the FY 2021 H-1B cap. Prospective petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those filing for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register with USCIS. Submitting an H-1B registration requires a USCIS online account. The appropriate type depends on [...]
2020 H-1B Cap Webinar
"Excellent Vaman! The information provided was detail, and brings a in depth awareness for employers in filing H-1B and its impacts!. Always, you and your team are great at what you do! Thank you once again." Our webinar on the H-1B CAP was a great success! The attendees found it very informative. [...]