In many areas around the U.S. driving is as essential as being able to read. In our practice we face constantly foreign nationals who have been denied (correctly or incorrectly) a driver’s license due to their inability to show a certain document. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (”ICE”) division has released a guide targeted to [...]
The U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (”ICE”) has released a supplemental guidance sheet with respect to gap-cap extensions available to holders of F-1 status who work pursuant to their optional practical training and who are beneficiaries of a cap-subject H-1B work visa petition. The guidance sheet is helpful in not only describing in more detail what [...]
As an E-Verify designated agent, we provide E-Verify verification services to many small and mid-size businesses and allow them to assure E-Verify participation without the hassle of running E-Verify inside their operations. An E-Verify designated agent, we work with our E-Verify company clients to ensure that they follow the rules and procesures required by E-Verify. This [...]
It is often that minor children are included in immigration filings done by one or both of their parents. In such cases, a separate application, often accompanied by a G-28 form, are prepared and properly filed. In many of those instances, a question arises as to who can or must sign the paperwork on behalf [...]
USCIS has updated the list of regional centers which provide interested investors with an opportunity to put money in a specially-designated center and become eligible for EB-5 investor green card. There are currently 49 approved and active regional centers in 21 states. By contrast, as of 6/30/08, there were only 23 approved regional centers. According to [...]
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Friday, July 10, USCIS has received approximately 44,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap. USCIS will continue to accept petitions subject to the general cap. Additionally, USCIS has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees; however, [...]
The August 2009 Visa Bulletin was just released by the State Department. The only change, in comparison to the July 2009 Visa Bulletin, is the forward movement in the EB-2 China and India categories which changed from January 1, 2000 to October 1, 2003 . All other categories remain unchanged. Here is a summary of [...]
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Friday, July 3, USCIS has received approximately 45,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap. USCIS will continue to accept petitions subject to the general cap. Additionally, USCIS has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees; however, [...]
The Nebraska and Texas Service Centers (NSC and TSC, respectively) have informed that they will start issuing denials on pending I-485 upon denial of the underlying I-140 petition. Until now, USCIS has a policy from a Memorandum of Feb. 28, 2003 from William R. Yates, “Procedures for Concurrently Filed Family-Based or Employment-Based Form I-485 when the [...]
The Department of Labor (”DOL”) has released a quarterly report covering the first quarter of 2009 (ending on March 31, 2009) which report indicates the performance measurements for four categories of labor certifications performed by DOL: H-1B Labor Condition Applications (”LCA”). The target performance rate set by DOL is seven (business) days. For the first quarter, [...]