NEWS
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 [...]
DOS Issues Update on Travel Restriction for Dual Nationals of Restricted Countries
The DOS clarified that the Executive Order (13769 on Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals) does not restrict the travel of dual nationals from any country with a valid U.S. visa in a passport of an unrestricted [...]
Travel Ban, Rigorous Vetting, Green Card Renunciation – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Over the past 48 hours there has been a flurry of immigration related activity in the news, at our airports. Immigrants traveling to, or returning from visits abroad have been put through increased scrutiny at international airports. Here is a [...]
Executive Order on H-1Bs and Other Nonimmigrant Visas Imminent
According to a report by Bloomberg, “President Donald Trump’s clash with Silicon Valley over immigration is about to become even more contentious.” We are now awaiting an Executive Order that may seriously impact H-1B Visas and other nonimmigrant Visa categories [...]
Latest Update on H-1B Executive Order
White house press secretary Sean Spicer was just responding to a direct question on whether the President is likely to issue an Executive Order on the H-1B visa. Here's his response: With respect to h1bs and other visas, it is [...]
USCIS Publishes Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Programs
USCIS has published a final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries [...]
E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators
USCIS provides an updated M-1053, E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators which provides guidance on E-Verify processes and outlines the rules and responsibilities for corporate administrators enrolled in E-Verify. Read the updated E-Verify User Manual
USCIS FEES TO BE RAISED FOR SEVERAL PETITION CATEGORIES – EFFECTIVE DATE 12/23/2016
USCIS published a Fee Increase schedule in the Federal Register today. Applications and petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after 12/23/16 must include new fee. (81 FR 73292, 10/24/16) USCIS Fee Schedule (pdf) A few important Forms and [...]
Extension of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
ALERT: Effective May 10, 2016, DHS is amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Such F-1 students [...]
Revised version of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
As of April 13, 2016, USCIS revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The revised version is available at uscis.gov/n-400. You may continue to use the 9/13/13 edition of the form until August 9, 2016. USCIS reject and return previous versions [...]
SEVP Webinar on STEM OPT 24-Month Extension Final Rule
On 3/11/16, DHS published a final rule on the OPT program for students in STEM fields. The new STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training and replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension, and takes effect on 5/10/16. [...]
SEVP Unveils Online STEM OPT Hub and Resources on DHS Final Rule
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released a STEM OPT hub page on the Study in the States website, to help school officials, students, and employers understand the new DHS final rule on OPT for F-1 students. The [...]