H-1B Season is Almost Upon Us

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

As a reminder to all U.S. employers, H-1B season is on the horizon! United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will start accepting new H-1B petitions for fiscal year 2016 on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. As such, employers should start immediately identifying current and future employees who will require sponsorship for new H-1B petitions. Continue reading “H-1B Season is Almost Upon Us”

USCIS Terminates 16 EB-5 Regional Centers

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Last October, we advised our readers that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) had sent out several Notices of Intent to Terminate (NOITT) regional center designation to various regional centers around the nation. We also warned that this appeared to be an upcoming enforcement trend by USCIS to address complaints of fraud and abuse in the EB-5 Regional Center Program.  Continue reading “USCIS Terminates 16 EB-5 Regional Centers”

Three Things to Know About DAPA

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

While many of the specific details of President Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions are still being worked on, one of its most significant components will be the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). Continue reading “Three Things to Know About DAPA”

Administrative Changes To Take Effect Soon

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

Effective January 27, 2015, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be implementing administrative changes with regard to the issuance of decisions and correspondence.

Continue reading “Administrative Changes To Take Effect Soon”

USCIS Issues Fliers About the President’s Executive Actions

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

As part of an effort to educate the public, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released two fliers regarding President Obama’s executive actions on its website. USCIS is encouraging the use of these fliers when communicating with individuals about these actions. Continue reading “USCIS Issues Fliers About the President’s Executive Actions”

Top Twelve EB-5 Countries by US Immigrant Visa Issuance

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

According to the U.S. Department of States’ Report of the Visa Office 2014, below following is a ranking of the top EB-5 countries ranked according to the number of EB-5 visas issued in the 2014 fiscal year. Continue reading “Top Twelve EB-5 Countries by US Immigrant Visa Issuance”

Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

The Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional period of 18 months, effective March 10, 2015, through Sept. 9, 2016. Continue reading “Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador”

Living Well: Making a Difference in our Community

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

When I think of Florida (and the Tampa Bay area in particular), I think of beaches and palm trees. Beaches and palms trees, to me, are symbols of peace and serenity. They also remind me of my childhood in Puerto Rico, carefree times when I was unburdened by all the responsibilities of adulthood. The guest speakers at our November section lunch, however, painted a much different picture of Florida. Continue reading “Living Well: Making a Difference in our Community”

The Devil is in the Details: What Employers and Businesses Need to Know About the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

When President Barack Obama first addressed the nation to unveil his Immigration Accountability Executive Actions, the media and the internet were in a frenzy to see who could get the story out first. Despite the fact that many of the specifics of the planned executive actions were unclear or not yet finalized, legal experts and analysts all across the country were discussing the potential consequences or effects on national security and the economy as a result of the estimated millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States who stood to benefit. Continue reading “The Devil is in the Details: What Employers and Businesses Need to Know About the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration”