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”

DOL and DHS Release Joint New Rules for H-2B Visa Program

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

This week the U.S. Departments of Labor and Homeland Security announced an interim final rule to reinstate and make improvements to the H-2B Visa program, and a final rule to establish the prevailing wage methodology to be utilized for the H-2B program. Continue reading “DOL and DHS Release Joint New Rules for H-2B Visa Program”

Stay on Order Affecting H-2B Program is Extended by One Month

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

On Wednesday, the Florida federal court in Perez v. Perez, No. 3:14-cv-682, extended the stay on its March 4, 2015 order vacating the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2008 H-2B regulations order by one month through May 15, 2015. DOL will continue to process temporary labor certification applications under its H-2B regulations until this date. Continue reading “Stay on Order Affecting H-2B Program is Extended by One Month”

USCIS Resumes Processing of H-2B Petitions

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

As reported on March 10, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) suffered a setback as result of a ruling by a federal district court in the Northern District of Florida on March 4, 2015. Continue reading “USCIS Resumes Processing of H-2B Petitions”

Adjudication of H-2B Petitions Temporarily Suspended

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

On March 4, 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) suffered a major blow as result of a ruling by a federal district court in the Northern District of Florida.  Specifically, in Perez v. Perez, No. 3:14-cv-682 (N.D. Fla. Mar. 4, 2015), the court ruled that DOL lacked the authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to issue regulations in the H-2B program. Continue reading “Adjudication of H-2B Petitions Temporarily Suspended”

USCIS Announces H-2B Cap Reached for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2015

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

USCIS announced that, as of January 26, 2015, it has received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated limit, or “cap” on the total number of foreign nationals who may seek a visa or otherwise obtain H-2B status for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2015. Continue reading “USCIS Announces H-2B Cap Reached for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2015”

USCIS Updates Its List of 68 Countries Eligible to Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

On December 16, 2014, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in consultation with Department of State, added five new countries to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs for the coming year beginning January 18, 2015. Continue reading “USCIS Updates Its List of 68 Countries Eligible to Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs”