The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released a map of SEVIS-approved schools in the U.S. The map is useful tool for foreign students hoping to come to study in the United States or to transfer to a new school as it lists schools authorized to issue F-1 visas and other education-related immigration benefits. Please read the full post for details and link to the SEVIS-approved schools map.
USCIS is proposing to amend the regulations concerning the concurrent filing of employment-based I-140 and I-485 petitions as long as visa number is available to the alien beneficiary. The proposed rule seeks to amend the rule so that a worker applying for I-485 adjustment of status must be the beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition prior to the filing of the adjustment application. Please read the full article on the impact of the new rule and more details.
The June 2008 Bulletin is out. Among the employment-based visa numbers, there is a slight forward movement in the EB-2 category for China and India, by about 3 months, from January 2004 to April 2004. However, the June bulletin indicates that retrogression for EB-3 is expected in July. Please read the full article for more details on the June 2008 Visa Bulletin.
The Washington Post writes about the trends of how quickly and easily foreign nationals who immigrate to the U.S. are able to assimilate. The article is based on a research conducted by the Manhattan Institute (note: they are famous for their advocacy of free market-based solutions to policy issues) where researchers measured the degree [...]
Although, as we wrote recently, there is a procedure for expediting the fingerprinting appointment in connection with a re-entry permit for green card holders, such requests are not always honored in a timely manner. Our law firm now offers a second alternative to have the fingerprinting appointment expedited by USCIS. If you have a re-entry permit pending with USCIS or if you plan to file one, we can, as an attorney on your behalf, call the USCIS and request that your fingerprinting appointment be expedited. Having an attorney call the USCIS and explain the situation warranting expedited processing has advantages and recent experience shows that, given the circumstances, can significantly expedite the biometric appointment and the issuance of re-entry permit. Please read the full article or contact us directly for more information on this option.
The USCIS announced yesterday that it is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the maximum amount of time a TN visa holder can remain in the U.S. before seeking readmission or extension of stay from one year to three years. The goal behind the proposed rule is to provide TN visa holders similar visa terms as other skilled worker visas, such as H-1B. Please read the full article on details regarding the proposed rule and TN visas.
We wrote earlier today about the improvements to the E-Verify program. In the past weeks we have been approached by some of our corporate clients and asked whether we would provide E-Verify services. In addition to advising employers on immigration, E-Verify, and employment authorization compliance, we are now registered with USCIS as E-Verify Third Party [...]
USCIS just announced a couple of significant enhancements to the E-Verify program which should increase its accuracy and appeal to employers. One of the main concerns of E-Verify is that a fair number of legitimately authorized workers receive a non-confirmation which has consequences, ranging from embarrassment to potentially losing their employment. Please read the full article for details on the E-Verify enhancements.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 1, 2008, that it has imposed a civil fine of $45,000 to iGate Mastech, Inc., a Pittsburgh computer consulting company in connection with the company's alleged discrimination against United States citizens in its employment practices and advertisements. Please read the full article for details on this civil fine settlement.
The House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugess, Border Security and International Law held a hearing yesterday, April 30, 2008, on the topic of "Wasted Visas, Growing Backlogs." Michael Yates from USCIS and Stephen Edson from the State Department testified in front of the Committee. Please read the full article on details of their testimony.