The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for premium processing of certain visa petitions will increase from the current rate of...more
On May 10, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum changing the way the agency will calculate the accrual of unlawful presence for students (F-1), exchange visitors (J-1), and...more
From April 30, 2018 to October 31, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) California Service Center (CSC) are conducting a joint pilot program that affects the...more
As of September 18, 2017, all employers must now use the revised Form I-9 released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new hires, whether citizens or...more
On November 14, 2016 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new Employment Eligibility Verification form, commonly referenced as Form I-9. The new form, which employers must use to establish the...more
Prospects for passage of any H-1B reform legislation remain low in this politically charged election year....more
In a move likely to elicit equal parts appreciation and exasperation among the employer community, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance on the need to file an amended H-1B petition when there is a...more
Most “new” H-1B petitions must be counted against an annual H-1B cap. This limit, or “cap,” administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is currently set at 65,000 plus an additional 20,000 reserved...more
As in recent years, the strong demand for H-1B visas for scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and other foreign workers in so-called “specialty occupations” again led employers in the United States to file petitions...more
Legislative Update: On March 3, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to strip language that would have rolled back President Obama’s executive action on immigration out of a hotly contested Department of Homeland...more
Congressional standoff over immigration plays out through debate on DHS funding bill -
A chess match continues to be fought in Congress over the fate of President Obama’s executive action on immigration. The standoff...more
In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama made clear that In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama made clear that he would veto efforts by the Republican-controlled Congress to undo some of...more