NEWS
December 2021 Visa bulletin filing table and additional H-1B CAP selection
Visa Bulletin for December https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-for-december-2021.html For Family-Sponsored Filings: In the F2A category, there is a cutoff date on the Dates for Filing chart. However, the category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart. This means that applicants in the [...]
USCIS Releases Policy changes for Employment Authorization for Certain H-4, E, and L Non immigrant Dependent Spouses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address automatic extension of employment authorization for certain H-4, E, and L nonimmigrant dependent spouses. USCIS is also rescinding the 2002 Legacy Immigration [...]
Automatic EAD Extension for Nonimmigrant Spouses
Washington, DC – In a historic settlement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, there will be forthcoming changes made to the Employment Authorization Document (EADs) for H-4 and L-2 dependents. The litigation [...]
White House Rescinds Current Regional COVID Travel Bans and Imposes Vaccination Requirement
On October 25, 2021, President Biden announced a presidential proclamation titled “A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic”. Effective on November 8, 2021, at 12:01 am (ET), the proclamation moves away from country-by-country [...]
October 2021 Visa Bulletin
October 2021 Visa Bulletin is now available.
Yasmin Blackburn, Esq. Appointed to The National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Kidambi & Associates, P.C. is proud to announce that Attorney Yasmin A. Blackburn, who has been with the Firm for over 17 years and is a Senior Associate, has been appointed to The National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee [...]
WORKING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC – Office Working Hours and Petition Filing Procedure
Dear Client, Your immigration is our priority. Please stay safe while we continue to assist you during this global crisis. In keeping with the nationwide trend, our office has resorted to a hybrid model of working in person and [...]
Winning Back-to-Back Approvals for EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-1B (Outstanding Researcher)
By Matthew Snyder, Esq. Of the employment-based immigrant visa categories, the First Preference category has a certain sense of mystique and fascination. Intentionally, the USCIS regulations sets the bar very high for this employment based category. For the EB-1A, which [...]
Yasmin Blackburn, Esq. Appointed to National AILA Liaison Committee
Kidambi & Associates, P.C. is proud to announce that Attorney Yasmin A. Blackburn, who has been with the Firm for over 17 years and is a Senior Associate, has been appointed to The National Department of Labor Liaison Committee by the [...]
Exceptions to Suspension of Entry Due to COVID Surge in India – What to Know and How to Apply for a National Interest Exception Waiver
Introduction For the past 10 days, we have been fielding calls from clients who have a compelling need to travel to, or from India. Unfortunately, the Presidential Proclamation[1] that went into effect on May 4th has made an already [...]
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants
Effective May 17, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will temporarily suspend the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, [...]
Rule Designed to Welcome Foreign Entrepreneurs with Non immigrant Visa Option
On May 10th , the Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden Administration is looking to revive an Obama era rule granting foreign investors a nonimmigrant visa option. As a first step, the Administration will formally withdraw the proposed rule [...]
USCIS May Reopen H-1B Petitions Denied Under Three Rescinded Policy Memos
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced it may reopen and/or reconsider adverse decisions on Form I-129, Petition for a Non immigrant Worker, made based on three rescinded policy memos. USCIS will generally use its discretion to accept a motion [...]
Why We Need to Recognize Black History Every Month
By Yasmin Blackburn, Esq. As a first-generation immigrant from Panama, Black History Month was hard to understand. Why was it relegated to the shortest and coldest month of the year? For instance, at home, we “celebrated” black history all [...]
Time to Lift the Ban – Scapegoating Professional Visas Hurts the Economy and Stifles Innovation
Be it a Republican administration, or one led by Democrats, a common theme appears to be the raw deal handed to non immigrant professionals. While the Biden administration halted midnight regulations including scrapping a wage-based lottery for the H-1B CAP, [...]
7 Things to Know About the H-1B CAP
The registration process for the H-1B FY2022 lottery begins shortly and we have some tips and general guidelines for those looking to file this year. Our office is happy to assist you with these filings at no charge (except the [...]
FY 2022 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 9
USCIS today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 9 and run through noon Eastern on March 25. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to fill out petitioner and beneficiary information and submit their registrations. A confirmation number will be assigned to each registration submitted for the FY 2022 H-1B cap. This [...]
Memorandum Issued to Halt USCIS/DOL Action affecting H-1B Visa Process
The Biden Administration through White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, issued a memorandum on January 20th that specifically instructs Agencies that a “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” is effective as of noon on January 20, 2021 in order to [...]
DOL Final Rule on Computation of Prevailing Wage Levels
The DOL published a final rule adopting, with changes, the interim final rule published at 85 FR 63872. The Rule is amending the regulations governing permanent labor certifications and Labor Condition Applications to incorporate changes to the computation of prevailing [...]
USCIS to Replace Sticker That Extends Validity of Green Cards
USCIS announced that starting in January 2021, it will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”) with a revised Form [...]