NEWS
USCIS Completes Data Entry of Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Subject Petitions
USCIS has completed data entry for all fiscal year 2019 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in their computer-generated random selection process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due to the high volume of filings, [...]
Policy changes by the Trump Administration are slowing and restricting legal immigration
AILA provides a report that surveys how policy changes by the Trump Administration are slowing and restricting legal immigration. Please read PDF about this topic. policy changes.pdf
Extending OPT beyond the initial period and When to Apply for STEM OPT
CAP Gap Employment: The USCIS has clarified that F-1 nonimmigrant students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. An F-1 student who is the beneficiary of an H-1B [...]
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2019
On April 11, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process to select enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally-mandated cap and the U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for FY 2019. USCIS received 190,098 H-1B petitions during [...]
New E-Verify.gov Website a User-Friendly Source to Verify Employment Eligibility
USCIS today announced the launch of new website, E-Verify.gov. This is the authoritative source for information on electronic employment eligibility verification. E-Verify.gov is for employers, employees and the general public. The user-friendly website provides information about E-Verify and Form I-9, [...]
FY 2019 H-1B CAP Reached
UPDATE: On April 6, 2018, USCIS reached the congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for fiscal year 2019. USCIS also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the 20,000 visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap. [...]
Undeliverable Permanent Resident and Employment Authorization Cards and Travel Documents to be Destroyed After 60 Days
Starting April 2, USCIS will destroy Permanent Resident Cards, Employment Authorization Cards and Travel Documents returned as undeliverable by the U.S. Postal Service after 60 business days if USCIS is not contacted by the document’s intended recipient to provide the [...]
Policy Memorandum Issues Prohibition on Multiple H-1B filings by Related Entities
USCIS issued a policy memorandum designating Matter of S- Inc., as an adopted decision, discussing the prohibition on multiple H-1B filings by “related entities" (such as a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate). Matter of S- Inc., Adopted Decision 2018-02 (AAO [...]
USCIS Updates Webpage to Share More Accurate Processing Times
USCIS has launched a pilot to test a redesigned processing times webpage that displays the data for all forms in an easier-to-read format and also tests a new way of collecting data and calculating the processing times for some forms. [...]
USCIS Will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions
Starting April 2, 2018, USCIS will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 cap. USCIS will temporarily suspend premium processing for all FY 2019 cap-subject petitions, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. [...]
Members of Congress Write to USCIS to Preserve H-4 EAD Program
Kidambi & Associates applauds the effort by Congress H4 EAD alive!
USCIS Strengthens Protections to Combat H-1B Abuses Clarifies Policy on Requirements for Third-Party Worksite H-1B Petitions
The H-1B visa program generally allows a foreign employee to work for a specific sponsoring American employer. As is true in many employment situations, the location of work can change. USCIS has published a policy memorandum making clear that USCIS may [...]
H-1B CAP 2019 – KIDAMBI & ASSOCIATES INITIATES PROCESSING FOR CAP CASES
74 Days to H-1B CAP FILING DEADLINE for 2018 (FY 2019)! Kidambi & Associates has started processing H-1B CAP petitions for this year and we encourage you to contact us early to initiate processing. If not familiar with our CAP [...]
L-1 Visa Jurisdictional Change
Texas Service Center to Begin Processing Form I-129 for L Visas On February 12, 2018, the Texas Service Center (TSC) will begin processing certain Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker petitions for L nonimmigrant classification, also known as L [...]
DHS Seeks to End Work Eligibility for Spouses of H-1B Holders
Breaking News**Wall Street Journal - DHS Seeks to End Work Eligibility for Spouses of H-1B Holders Department in proposal cites Trump’s ‘Hire American’ executive order in notice of possible reversal of Obama-era rule By Laura Meckler Dec. 14, 2017 [...]
DHS Seeks to End Work Eligibility for Spouses of H-1B Holders
Breaking News**Wall Street Journal - DHS Seeks to End Work Eligibility for Spouses of H-1B Holders Department in proposal cites Trump’s ‘Hire American’ executive order in notice of possible reversal of Obama-era rule By Laura Meckler Dec. 14, 2017 9:00 [...]
USCIS Concurs with Four OIG Recommendations on H1B Site Visit Program
Based on the audit to determine whether the USCIS Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) and targeted site visits are safeguarding the integrity of the H-1B Program, USCIS concurs with four recommendations and has begun corrective actions to [...]
USCIS Concurs with Four OIG Recommendations on H1B Site Visit Program
Based on the audit to determine whether the USCIS Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) and targeted site visits are safeguarding the integrity of the H-1B Program, USCIS concurs with four recommendations and has begun corrective actions to address [...]
USCIS Makes Additional Data on Employment-Based Visa Programs Available in Support of ‘Hire American’ Executive Order
USCIS has posted additional data about the agency’s employment-based visa programs on its website. This new information reflects USCIS’ commitment to transparency in carrying out President Trump’s Buy American and Hire American Executive Order. The L-1 and H1B datasets are [...]
Changes to Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129 Petitions
On October 12, 2017, USCIS will change the direct filing addresses for certain petitioners of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. The changes are as follows: Petitioners will now file Form I-129 according to the state where the company [...]