Breaking News: USCIS will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing of H-1B Petitions

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

In an effort to reduce the growing backlog of pending H-1B petitions, including those H-1B extensions nearing the 240 day limit when continued work authorization would end, USCIS announced today that it would temporarily suspend the use of premium processing in ALL H-1B cases, whether filed under the upcoming H-1B cap, or whether the filing is exempt from the H-1B cap, beginning April 3, 2017. Continue reading “Breaking News: USCIS will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing of H-1B Petitions”

Current Administration Proposes Significant Changes to EB-5 Program

  Yesterday, the Obama administration announced potential changes that could significantly impact the EB-5 investor visa program.  The EB-5 investor visa was originally established by Congress in 1990 to attract foreign investment and stimulate the economy in hopes of spurring job creation in the United States.

 

Ramos_Maria
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Yesterday, the Obama administration announced potential changes that could significantly impact the EB-5 investor visa program.  The EB-5 investor visa was originally established by Congress in 1990 to attract foreign investment and stimulate the economy in hopes of spurring job creation in the United States. Continue reading “Current Administration Proposes Significant Changes to EB-5 Program”

Plan Ahead: H-1B Season is Around the Corner

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

As a reminder to all U.S. employers, H-1B season is around the corner! United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will start accepting new H-1B petitions for fiscal year 2018 on Saturday, April 1, 2017. Continue reading “Plan Ahead: H-1B Season is Around the Corner”

DUI Arrests May Result in the Prudential Revocation of a Validly Issued Nonimmigrant Visa

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Contrary to popular opinion, there are serious immigration consequences for nonimmigrants who are arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or a related offense. Continue reading “DUI Arrests May Result in the Prudential Revocation of a Validly Issued Nonimmigrant Visa”

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”

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”