Year: 2016
Our Immigration Policy Shouldn’t be Left to Chance
Summer is here, and most business immigration practitioners are breathing a sigh a relief that the H-1B season is over. At the same, however, many are scrambling to find a visa alternative for employers whose H-1B petitions were not chosen. Continue reading “Our Immigration Policy Shouldn’t be Left to Chance”
Visa Waiver Program Participants Are Required to Have an e-Passport to Travel to the U.S.
Last August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that travelers participating in the Visa Waiver Program to travel to the United States would be required to have an e-Passport by April 1, 2016. Continue reading “Visa Waiver Program Participants Are Required to Have an e-Passport to Travel to the U.S.”
USCIS Proposes Hike in Filing Fees
On May 4, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) published a notice in the Federal Register for comment in connection with a proposed increase in fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefits. After the required 60 day comment period, USCIS will publish a final rule in the Federal Register with the what the actual filing fees will be. Continue reading “USCIS Proposes Hike in Filing Fees”
USCIS Finishes Data Entry of H-1B Cap Subject Petitions
On May 2, 2016, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) notified stakeholders and the public that it completed data entry of all fiscal year 2017 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected by its random computer-generated lottery. Continue reading “USCIS Finishes Data Entry of H-1B Cap Subject Petitions”
Alert: Premium Processing for FY 2017 H-1B Cap Petitions to Begin May 12
On May 12, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. Continue reading “Alert: Premium Processing for FY 2017 H-1B Cap Petitions to Begin May 12”
EU Threatens to Revoke U.S. and Canada Visa Waivers
Today, the European Commission met to discuss whether it should continue to allow U.S. and Canadian citizens the privilege of visiting the region without the necessity of a visa. The Commission asked governments and European Union lawmakers to provide recommendations by no later than July 12. Continue reading “EU Threatens to Revoke U.S. and Canada Visa Waivers”
Recent Changes to the Trade Embargo May Facilitate Cuban Baseball Players Being Able to Legally Play for MLB Teams
Last week, President Obama authorized the elimination of a ban on Cuban access to the international banking system, which in turn would allow a Cuban national to make a living in the United States without requiring that person to emigrate. As a result, the door now is open for Cuban baseball players to legally play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) club while maintaining a permanent residence in Cuba. Continue reading “Recent Changes to the Trade Embargo May Facilitate Cuban Baseball Players Being Able to Legally Play for MLB Teams”
Immigration Reform: Where are we today?
On April 18, 2016, the United States Supreme Court will be on the verge of deciding an immigration case that could not only have a profound effect on our immigration policy but on the limits of a president’s powers, as well. Continue reading “Immigration Reform: Where are we today?”
Decision on STEM OPT Program is Delayed Until May 10, 2016
On January 23, 2016, Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia granted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s motion to extend the stay of the vacatur of the STEM OPT rule from February 12, 2016 to May 10, 2016. This decision is zealously being opposed by the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers. Continue reading “Decision on STEM OPT Program is Delayed Until May 10, 2016”