The National Conference of State Legislatures has released its 2009 Immigration-Related Bills and Resolutions in the States, dated as of April 22, 2009, and covering the first quarter of 2009. The report is interesting in that is compares the states’ immigration-related activity over the past few years and helps us draw some conclusions on where the [...]
We have experienced difficulty in obtaining case status information from the USCIS Online Status system - the difficulties are sometimes related to new cases not being timely reflected into the system or slow updates of case status on pending cases. We have also heard a number of complaints from clients and readers that they have [...]
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Monday, April 27, 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, [...]
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Tuesday, April 20, USCIS has received approximately 44,000 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 USCIS has provided an updated chart of its processing time goals and the current progress towards meeting these goals. The report also provides a very useful update on the current average processing times for certain petitions and the number of petitions in backlog status. The goals are intended to be met by the end of [...]
Due to the passage of Employ American Workers Act (EAWA), as part of the Stimulus Bill, USCIS is required to collect TARP (and Section 13 funding) information on each H-1B petitioner. However, by the time the new form became available, many practitioners had already completed their packages for the H-1B cap filing period for April [...]
The Vermont Service Center has issued some guidance on properly completing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The guidance is based on experience with improperly completed and filed Forms I-539. Ensure that the applicant and beneficiary names as entered in the form I-539 match the names as written in the passport; Provide a copy of biographical [...]
We have been hearing an increased amount of chatter about comprehensive immigration reform in Washington. Today the Wall Street Journal published an article saying that Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s Chief of Staff, is increasing talk about comprehensive immigration reform and is pushing it to the agenda from possibly the second Obama term to some time [...]
USCIS today released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Thursday, April 9, USCIS has received approximately 42,000 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; [...]
The May 2009 Visa Bulletin has been released. Unfortunately, and as expected, all EB-3 categories are now “unavailable.” Also, there is no movement in all EB-2 categories. Here is a summary of the May 2009 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 remains current across the board. EB-2 remains unchanged for all categories - EB-2 ROW (Rest of World) is current, [...]