Over the last few years, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has made a concerted effort to restrict the number of L-1B visas being issued. And, without much oversight, USCIS has managed (almost unfettered) to do so primarily through unpublished, non-binding decisions issued by the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), selective reliance on precedent administrative decisions, and federal district court L-1B cases prior to 1990. Continue reading “Court of Appeals Censures USCIS’ Narrow Interpretation of L-1B Visa Requirements”
Year: 2015
H-1B Season is Almost Upon Us
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
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
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
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
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
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
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”
New Form I-129 Now Available
USCIS recently published revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker with an Oct. 23, 2014 edition date. Continue reading “New Form I-129 Now Available”
Living Well: Making a Difference in our Community
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”