Your resource for all things immigration.
On October 24, 2014, USCIS released an updated EB-5 Processing Report reflecting average processing times for the Immigrant Investor Program Office as of August 31, 2014. Continue reading “USCIS Publishes Updated EB-5 Processing Time Information”
On October 17, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that he would be extending the Temporary Protected Status for eligible nationals from Honduras and Nicaragua for an additional 18 months, effective January 6, 2015 through July 5, 2016. Continue reading “Temporary Protected Status Extended for Honduras and Nicaragua”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced this month that it will begin disposing of E-Verify Records that are 10 years old and older beginning January 1, 2015. In an effort to minimize security and privacy risks associated with the retention of Personal Identifiable Information (PII), USCIS will begin disposing of E-Verify case records whose last transaction occurred on or before December 31, 2014. Continue reading “USCIS Will Begin Disposing of E-Verify Records 10 Years Old and Older”
On October 6, 2014, USCIS announced the launch of myE-Verify—a new website designed for employees. Having focused its previous efforts on employers, myE-Verify provides employees with the ability to create and maintain secure personal accounts and to access new features for identity protection. Continue reading “New USCIS System Dedicated to Employee I-9 Needs”
Today, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) issued the November 2014 Visa Bulletin. As was expected, the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for people born in India retrogressed to February 15, 2005. Interestingly, the employment-based, third preference category moved forward across the board. EB3 India inched forward to November 22, 2003; EB3 China advanced to January 1, 2010; and EB3 for all other countries of chargeability moved to June 1, 2012. Continue reading “EB-2 India Retrogresses”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) has changed from red to blue the color ink it uses to stamp certain documents that could be used for I-9 purposes. This would be relevant, for instance, in a scenario where you have a high population of new hires that are refugees and they provide you with a refugee document. Reviewers should note that moving forward they may see government documents with stamps in blue, red and black ink and that, just because the ink color has changed, documents may still be valid. Continue reading “USCIS Now Using New Ink Color for Certain Documents Which May be Used for Form I-9”
Due to the ongoing armed conflict and the continuation of extraordinary conditions in Sudan, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Sudan for an additional 18 months, effective November 3, 2014, through May 2, 2016. Continue reading “Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Sudan”
The impact that technology has on our everyday life is impressive. It touches us at work, home, and even while we’re on the road. And while technology has its disadvantages (you are always “on”), it also has its advantages: for instance, it gives employees the ability to telecommute. Every day, more and more companies offer their employees the option to telecommute from home. In some instances, companies even hire individuals who live in a different state from where the employer is located. While allowing employees to telecommute from different states can be a great benefit for the employee (and the employer), it can create a nightmare for HR administrators trying to complete employment paperwork, such as the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each new employee. Continue reading “Keeping Up with the Times: Solving the I-9 Conundrum for Remote Employees”
Bipartisan immigration reform in an election year? And it creates jobs without adding to the deficit? Too good to be true? Well, earlier this year, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) introduced legislation—co-sponsored by five Republicans (Sens. Collins, Grassley, Hatch, Lee & Rubio) and three Democrats (Sens. Conrad, Kohl & Schumer)—to extend the EB-5 Regional Center Program for three years.[1] After several amendments, that legislation was passed unanimously by the United States Senate.[2] It later passed the House of Representatives by a 412-3 vote and was ultimately signed into law by President Barack Obama. The legislation, as enacted, extends the EB-5 Regional Center Program—which had been set to expire on September 30, 2012—for an additional three years.[3] Continue reading “The EB-5 Program: The Road to Citizenship Less Traveled”