While perhaps not top of mind when considering the many challenges that Coronavirus/COVID-19 poses to employers, immigration compliance is still required. Read the following advisory to prevent immigration law violations that...more
3/11/2020
/ Airlines ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
E-Verify ,
Form I-9 ,
H-1B ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Registration Requirement ,
Risk Management ,
Screening Procedures ,
USCIS ,
Visas
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows F-1 students to work for 12 months after graduation (in most situations). F-1 students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM degrees) may...more
2/18/2020
/ Certification Requirements ,
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) ,
F-1 Visa ,
Foreign Students ,
Form I-9 ,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ,
OPT ,
Required Forms ,
Site Visit Program ,
STEM ,
USCIS
Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent a message dated February 14, 2020 (but released in advance) to advise employers on how to prepare for its site visits to assure compliance with the STEM optional practical training...more
Our wrap-up of immigration news from the month of January continues today as we review the implementation of the new “public charge” rule.
Implementation of Public Charge Rule -
The Trump Administration proposed a...more
2/8/2020
/ Foreign Nationals ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Immigration Reform ,
New Rules ,
Pending Litigation ,
Public Assistance ,
Public Charge ,
Residency Status ,
Trump Administration ,
Updated Forms ,
USCIS
Unlike the groundhog, the Trump Administration has not spent January sleeping. It issued several consequential announcements in the last week of January, getting a jump on Punxsutawney Phil....more
2/7/2020
/ Best Practices ,
China ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Workers ,
Immigrants ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Presidential Proclamations ,
Public Health ,
Travel Ban ,
Travelers ,
Traveling Employee ,
Trump Administration ,
Visa Applications
January was a busy month for the Trump Administration. Yesterday, we covered the presidential proclamation suspending entry of foreign nationals who have visited China 14 days preceding their entry. This article covers the...more
As of January 24, 2020, some pregnant foreign nationals traveling to the United States will have more to overcome than tight seat-belts and inadequate bathrooms.
The Department of State has changed the rules for obtaining...more
2/4/2020
/ B-2 ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Fourteenth Amendment ,
Immigration Procedures ,
New Rules ,
Pregnancy ,
Rebuttable Presumptions ,
Tourism ,
US Department of State ,
Visas
Q: Can I really be paperless? Is it ok to put various policies, contracts and other kinds of documents on our electronic systems rather than keeping paper copies?...more
If you have applied for an immigration benefit lately (temporary visa, permanent residence), you know the indignities of the process - especially in recent times. Slower decisions, outlandish requests for evidence, and no...more
Last seen in large numbers in the George W. Bush Administration, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began mailing Employer Correction Request (EDCOR) Notices (aka “no match” letters) in March 2019. The notices are...more
It’s the time of year when we stop to ponder some of life’s many mysteries. If you are an immigration lawyer or an employer who can’t find enough professional workers, one of those mysteries is why the federal government...more
12/12/2018
/ Buy America ,
Comment Period ,
Executive Orders ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Lottery ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visa Caps ,
Visas
Over the last week, we have been looking at various changes in policy and procedure related to immigration law. We have covered the travel ban, changes to advance parole, deference to prior determinations and denials; today,...more
In our final post in this series looking at the current state of various aspects of immigration law, we are diving into H-1B, specifically the temporary suspension of premium processing for certain H-1B filings.
Catch up...more
Over the last week, we have been looking at various changes in policy and procedure related to immigration law. We have covered the travel ban, changes to advance parole, and deference to prior determinations and today, we...more
This month, we are posting status updates on a few immigration policies that impact our clients. Last week, we covered the travel ban and changes to advance parole. ...more
We shared an update on the Travel Ban as currently in effect. Now, we are going to look at Advance Parole....more
We knew the interpretation of the immigration laws would shift with the current Administration. The travel ban and other executive orders issued soon after the 2016 election signaled the direction immigration policy would...more
The H-1B temporary work visa program has been the focus of much speculation lately. Recent news reports have claimed that the Trump Administration is planning major changes to the program in 2018. ...more
The most recent travel ban (commonly called Travel Ban 3.0), which was to go into effect today (October 18, 2017) has been enjoined by two federal courts, one in Hawaii and one in Maryland.
The Hawaii court blocked...more
At a recent “stakeholder” call, the government provided more information about the new universal interview requirement for green cards (permanent residence) issued in the United States (otherwise known as the “adjustment of...more
Iowa Department of Transportation recently changed the procedure for license renewals for persons with temporary visas. The ability to obtain a driver’s license is often a reason people want to file visa applications with...more
The form I-765 has been revised so that applicants may request a Social Security number at the same time. The form is used to request work permission, known as EAD or Employment Authorization Document, by certain foreign...more
No doubt you have heard that the President issued a Proclamation extending and changing the travel ban which resulted in so much controversy earlier this year.
The new ban is based on a survey of how countries in the world...more
If you are concerned about the rescission of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), now is the time to contact your senators and representatives. We would be happy to assist you with talking points or setting up a...more
Premium processing (expedited review by the government) has resumed as of October 3, 2017, for all H-1B petitions. If you are interested in using premium processing for a new or pending H-1B petition, please let us know. ...more