The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification has released its October 2007 - May 2008 statistics on PERM processing. It is interesting to note that 44% of the active (pending) PERM cases were in "Audit" stage, most likely in connection with the recent decision to audit all PERM applications filed by a major immigration law firm. Please read the full post for more details on DOL's PERM processing statistics.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has commented on the program announced recently by USCIS which aims to pre-register all travelers to the U.S. coming from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. We wrote extensively about the program earlier in June. Under the new program, which is optional until January, when it becomes mandatory for all of VWP travelers from 27 countries, all travelers to the U.S. must pre-register before traveling to the U.S. through an online system by entering personal information such as passport number, intended dates of travel, etc. If the system rejects the pre-registration, the traveler must apply for a visa at the U.S. consulate. Please read the rest of the article on details about the anticipated visa processing backlogs.
We have all heard or seen references to the "A Number." Many USCIS forms ask for it, and many of our clients have asked us, "What exactly is the 'A Number'?" The "A Number" stands for Alien Registration Number. It is a number that starts with an "A" followed by eight-digits. Not all foreign nationals have an A Number. Most people get A Number when they apply for adjustment of status, seek employment authorization document (EAD), apply for a V visa or are subject to deportation proceedings. Please read the full article for more details on the A Number.
USCIS has released a guidance on the criteria it uses to grant or reject a request for expedited processing (such as for Re-entry permit, etc.). All expedited processing requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please read the full post for details on USCIS's expedited processing criteria.
We wrote earlier today about the pending announcement that USCIS is restoring the possibility of filing I-140 via premium processing. As we discussed earlier, the premium processing is limited to workers who are nearing the end of their sixth year in H-1B nonimmigrant status. The premium processing procedure will guarantee 15 calendar-day response by USCIS for [...]
BREAKING NEWS The USCIS has confirmed that on July 16, 2008, it will resume premium processing for I-140s in certain limited circumstances. It is expected that these limited circumstances will cover cases where beneficiaries whose H status will expire within 60 days of filing the request and who need I-140 approval to become eligible for [...]
Many of our clients are complaining of the need to renew their employment authorization documents (EADS) every year while their green card adjustment of status application is pending. Given the long backlogs, the need to extend EADs every year becomes a hassle and, especially for those applicants who have to pay for each application, [...]
BREAKING NEWS - The July 2008 Visa Bulletin has been released and EB-3 are unavailable while EB-3 (India and China) get additional visa numbers for the fiscal year. Please read the full article for additional details on this breaking development.
The debate surrounding E-Verify is in full force. In the meantime, the federal government and many states are busy implementing regulations requiring employers to become E-Verify compliant and start using the E-Verify system for all of their new hires. The latest regulation is an Executive Order 12989 as Amended, dated as of June 6, 2008, which [...]
The Department of Homeland Security has announced an Interim Final Rule which creates a new online system which is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The new online system will require all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to come to the United States under the VWP to register their travel in [...]