NEWS
August 2020 Visa Bulletin
August 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
10 things to know about the Presidential Proclamation
Infographic listing the most important points about the latest Presidential Proclamation.
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, [...]
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 The rescinded memos are: Determining Employer-Employee Relationship for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions, Including [...]
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 [...]
July 2020 Visa Bulletin
July 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
**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 [...]
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30 to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14); Notices of Intent to Deny; Notices [...]
USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
USCIS plans to begin reopening the offices on or after June 4, unless the public closures are extended further. USCIS staff are continuing to perform duties that do not involve face-to-face contact with the public. USCIS will provide further updates [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at Least May 3
USCIS announced that it is extending the temporary suspension of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers until at least May 3, 2020. USCIS will begin reopening its offices on May 4, 2020, unless the [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
USCIS Announces Flexibility for Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that it is adopting measures to minimize the immigration consequences associated with responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) dated [...]
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 [...]
OFLC Announces Issuance of Electronic PERM Labor Certifications in Response to the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is making this public service announcement to alert employers and other interested stakeholders that, beginning March 25, 2020, and through June 30, 2020, the Atlanta [...]
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