Who is Eligible for Parole Under the International Entrepreneur Rule?

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Last month, U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule that would allow certain international entrepreneurs to enter the U.S. for a period of up to two years so that they could start or scale their businesses if granting such a stay would provide “significant public benefit through substantial and demonstrated potential for rapid business growth and job creation.” Continue reading “Who is Eligible for Parole Under the International Entrepreneur Rule?”

U.S. Manufacturers Need Immigration Certainty to Grow Economy

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

When President Barack Obama unveiled his Immigration Accountability Executive Actions in 2014, a measure supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, the media was focused on how the current administration’s immigration initiatives would affect the millions of undocumented workers. Continue reading “U.S. Manufacturers Need Immigration Certainty to Grow Economy”

OSC Issues Guidance to Employers Related to Immigration Questions During the Hiring Process

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Generally, employers face a difficult balancing act when attempting to comply with the Immigration and Nationality Act’s anti-discrimination provisions, on the one hand, and manage their bottom line, on the other hand. Continue reading “OSC Issues Guidance to Employers Related to Immigration Questions During the Hiring Process”

Immigration Compliance Alert: Increase in Fines for Immigration Related Violations Takes Effect on August 1, 2016

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Up until 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) focused its enforcement efforts almost exclusively on undocumented workers. For instance, ICE made 6,000 workforce enforcement strategy-related arrests in 2008; only 135 of them involved employers. Continue reading “Immigration Compliance Alert: Increase in Fines for Immigration Related Violations Takes Effect on August 1, 2016”

USCIS Has Finished Returning Unselected H-1B Cap Subject Petitions

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

On July 8, 2016, U.S. Immigration & Citizenship Services (“USCIS”) announced that it had returned all unselected H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year 2017 not selected by its lottery. Continue reading “USCIS Has Finished Returning Unselected H-1B Cap Subject Petitions”

Our Immigration Policy Shouldn’t be Left to Chance

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

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.

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

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

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

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

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

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”

EU Threatens to Revoke U.S. and Canada Visa Waivers

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

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”