NEWS
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Cap-Exempt Petitions
USCIS will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a [...]
USCIS Targets Level 1 Salary on LCA to Question Specialty Occupation Nature of H-1B Position
In what appears to be a pattern, the USCIS is questioning whether a position is a specialty occupation by referencing the fact that the labor condition application (LCA) reflects a level 1 wage, indicating that it is an entry-level position [...]
USCIS Introduces Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants
USCIS published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The revised version gives applicants better information to accurately complete Form I-485, including clear navigation to the parts of the form and isntructions that are relevant [...]
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Physicians under the Conrad 30 Waiver Program
USCIS will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers starting Monday, June 26. The Conrad 30 program allows certain medical doctors to stay [...]
ALERT for Students w/Cap Gap Waiting on H-1B CAP Rejection or Decision
USCIS announced on May 3, 2017 that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due [...]
USCIS Will Issue Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents
USCIS today announced a redesign to the Green Card and EAD. The new cards will be issued on May 1, 2017. The redesigned cards will be more secure and tamper-resistant and deter counterfeiting and fraud than the ones currently in [...]
USCIS Provides PowerPoint Presentation on Immigrant Fee Payment Process
USCIS hosted webinars on March 13, 20 to discuss updates to the USCIS Immigrant Fee payment process. An overview of the online payment process and the electronic identity verification process was provided. The powerpoint presentation of the same is outlined [...]
USCIS Rescinds 2000 NSC Guidance on H-1B Computer-Related Positions
USCIS issued a policy memorandum on March 31, 2017, that supersedes and rescinds a December 22, 2000, memorandum with guidance on H-1B computer-related positions issued by the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). The new memo offers clarity on USCIS's approach to [...]
DOL announces plans to protect American workers from H-1B program discrimination
DOL announced plans today to protect U.S. workers from H-1B program discrimination by providing greater transparency and oversight. The department will protect American workers against discrimination through the following actions: Rigorously use all of its existing authority to initiate investigations [...]
USCIS Announces Further Measures to Detect H-1B Visa Fraud and Abuse
USCIS has announced multiple measures to further deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. Beginning today, USCIS will take a more targeted approach when making site visits across the country to H-1B petitioners and the worksites of H-1B employees. [...]
WHAT TO DO? If ICE Stops you on the way to the Grocery Store…
Do you know what to do if immigration (ICE) officers stop you in a public place? Read and download the pdf to know your rights.
WHAT TO DO? If ICE comes knocking at your door
Do you know what to do if immigration (ICE) officers come knocking at your door? Read and download the pdf to know your rights.
WHAT TO DO? ICE Worksite Visit – Employee Rights
Do you know what to do if immigration (ICE) officers come to your worksite? Read and download the pdf to know your rights.
New Executive Order to Replace Travel Ban
Here's the latest update about a new Executive Order that replaces Travel Ban. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states
USCIS Will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions
Starting April 3, 2017, USCIS will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions. This suspension may last up to 6 months. https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-will-temporarily-suspend-premium-processing-all-h-1b-petitions
Erroneous H-1B Approval Notices with “1B1” Annotation
We have been receiving USCIS I-797 Notices of Approval for H-1B that is annotated "1B1". The USCIS California Service Center (CSC) has confirmed that this was a technical error that has now been resolved, and that USCIS will reprint corrected [...]
USCIS Releases Updated Handbook for Employers
USCIS has released an updated Handbook for Employers, Guidance for Completing Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification form) rev. 1/22/17
DHS security statement on Feb 3 Court Ruling regarding Jan 27 Executive Order
In accordance with the judge's ruling, DHS has suspended any and all actions implementing the affected sections of the Executive Order entitled, "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States." This includes actions to suspend passenger system [...]
H-1B CAP – Should I, or Should I Not File?
In the backdrop of the Executive Orders and H.R. 670 (H.R.670 - High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017), we have received several questions over the past few weeks regarding the filing of H-1B Petitions for this fiscal year (April [...]
End Rumors Directive from DOS – No Current Plans to Expand Travel Ban Beyond Current Countries
In response to rumors of plans to expand the travel ban to other countries, DOS informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that there is no addendum, annex, or amendment now being worked on to expand visa revocations or the [...]