Immigration Update
Back
Issues
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- H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2012
- House Votes To End Per-Country Limits on
Employment-Based Immigration Visas - Labor Dept. Current on PERM, H-1B Prevailing
Wage Determinations - Justice Dept. Sues Utah Over Immigration Law
- Employers May Bundle L-1 Filings, USCIS
Announces - State Dept. Announces Forward Movement in
China-Mainland Born and India EB-2 Categories
- H-1B Numbers Dwindling for FY 2012,
File Now! -
EB-2 India, China Visa Numbers Jump;
Other Visa News -
USCIS To Begin Sending Approval Notices to
Attorneys Again Shortly - 'Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act' Bill Heads to House Floor for Consideration
- OCAHO Orders Drywall Company To Pay
$173,250 in Penalties - Justice Department Sues California Healthcare
Provider for Discrimination
- House Judiciary Committee Approves E-Verify
Legislation - State Department Estimates Employment-Based
Visa Availability
- House Holds Hearing on Immigrant Investor
Program and Job Creation - Diversity Visa 2013 Registration Begins
Issue 54, August/September 2011
- Company Held Liable for Back Wages of H-1B
Employee Who Never Worked - EAD Processing Delays Cause Hardship,
Ombudsman Says
- State Department Announces New Requirement
for Passport Applications - USCIS Releases EB-5 Investor Statistics
- DHS, USCIS Announce Initiative To Promote
Startups and Spur Job Creation - ICE Declares 'Secure Communities' Mandatory,
Not Optional - DOL Suspends Prevailing Wage Determinations
- USCIS Issues Policy Memo on B-2 Extensions
for Cohabiting Partners and Other Household
Members of Principal Nonimmigrants
- ICE To Audit 1,000 Employers Nationwide for
I-9 Violations -
USCISUSCIS Summarizes Stakeholder Engagement on
L-1B Interpretation of 'Specialized Knowledge'
- Senate Holds Hearing on DREAM Act of 2011
- Democrats Reintroduce Comprehensive
Immigration Reform Bill - Sen. Lamar Smith Introduces Mandatory E-Verify
Bil
- USCIS Announces Cap Count
-
USCIS Proposes EB-5 Changes;
Accepting Comments Until June 1 - USCIS Launches 'I-9 Central' Onlin
- ICE Adds 50 Degree Programs to STEM List
- USCIS Fully Implements Secure Mail Initiative
- Feds Crack Down on Employers
- DOS Reports on Employment-Based Visa
Demand; First Preference 'Extremely Low -
USCIS Continues To Accept FY 2012 H-1B
Petitions - DOL Orders School District to Pay Foreign
Teachers Millions in Back Wages - USCIS Issues Guidance on Concurrent Advance
Parole, EAD
- USCIS Begins Accepting H-1B Petitions
- Resumption of Social Security No Match Letter
- USCIS Proposes Rule on Registration
Requirement for H-1B Petitioners - New Validation Instrument for Business
Enterprises Giving Off Bad VIBE - New Mumbai U.S. Consulate to Open Later in
2011; H and L Interviews Limited in Meantim
- USCIS Proposes Rule on Registration
Requirement for H-1B Petitionersm -
USCIS Announces Relief for Japanese, Pacific
Nationals Stranded in U.S. Following Quake,
Tsunami - Mayorkas Discusses USCIS Goals for 2011;
VIBE System Introduce - E-Verify Self-Check Going Live in March
- DOS Releases New Guidance on L Visas,
Specialized Knowledge - USCIS Issues Work Authorization and Advance
Parole on Single Card for Adjustment Applicants - Export Controls Attestation Requirement Started
February 20
- H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2011
- ICE Announces New I-9 Compliance Inspection
Center, Partnership With Tyson Foods;
Audits Increase - USCIS Revises I-9 Manual for Employers
- E-Verify Update: USCIS Updates Web Interface, Launches Newsletter; House Hearings Soon
- Visa Numbers Move Slowly
- State Department Announces New Passport Forms Starting March 1
- DREAM Act Fails in Senate
- USCIS Delays Deemed Export Attestation on New I-129
- File H-1B Petitions Now; USCIS Plans Proposed Rule to Establish Electronic H-1B Pre-Registration
- USCIS Introduces First-Ever Fee Waiver Form
- WHD Orders Companies To Pay Back Wages, Penalties for H-1B Violations
- USCIS Issues Reminder on New Fees, Q&A
on New Fee Schedule; Makes Corrections,
Clarifications - Do's and Don'ts, Tips on SSN "No-Matches" Release
- USCIS Revises I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- WHD Plans Nationwide Audit of Independent Contractor Misclassification
- ICE Breaks Immigration Enforcement, Employer Sanctions Record
- DOS Discusses Upcoming Employment Visa Number Priority Cut-Off Date
- USCIS Raises Many Fees, Adds New Fees
- 2012 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration Begins in October
- FY 2011 Visa Numbers Available on October 1, 2010; DOS Updates China Reciprocity Schedule
- DOS Issues Travel Warning for Mexico
- DOS Updates Guidance on Medical Grounds of Inadmissibility
- DOS Updates Guidance on Medical Grounds of Inadmissibility
- USCIS Implements H-1B, L-1 Fee Increases for Certain Petitions
- Department of Labor Releases Round 11 of Permanent Labor Certification FAQ
- CBP Clarifies TN Extensions of Stay While Immigrant Petition Is Pending/Approved
- Smartsoft Agrees To Pay Nearly $1 Million in Back Wages, Interest
- U.S. Mission in Canada Announces New Appointment Service for Visa Applicants
Coming to U.S.
- ICE I-9 Final Rule Allows for Electronic Signatures, Scanning, Storage
- Preliminary Injunction Blocks Key Provisions of Arizona Immigration Statute
- USCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for Haitian TPS, Extends TPS Designation for El Salvador
- U.S. Expands Appointment Scheduling for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in China
- State Department Explains Biometric Visa Program's Fingerscan, Photo Requirements
- Obama Administration Files Suit Against Arizona
- USCIS Proposes Changes in Fees, Large New Fee for EB-5 Regional Center Applications
- USCIS Issues Guidance to Employers on Documentation of Work Authorization for
TPS Beneficiaries - Lawsuit Challenges H-1B Memo on Employer-Employee Relationship
- U.S. Embassies, Consulates in China Temporarily Open on Saturdays
- DHS Eliminates Paper Arrival/Departure Form for VWP Participants
- USCIS Conducts Comprehensive Policy Review, Holds Session on RFEs
- Few H-1 Petitions Filed So Far
- USCIS Discusses Extension of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training and F-1 Status for Students Under H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
- Can Immigration Law Be REPAIRed? Some Senators Think So
- USCIS Redesigns Green Card
- Few H-1 Petitions Filed So Far
- USCIS Discusses Extension of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training and F-1 Status for Students under H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
- Francis Chin Meets with USCIS as Part of ABIL Delegation
- USCIS Stops Allowing H-1B Filings with Uncertified LCAs
- DHS Announces E-Verify Initiatives
- DHS Adds Greece to VWP
- H-1B Update: Filing Date Approaches; Scrutiny at POEs Increases; USCIS Issues H-1B Guidance Under Economic Stimulus
- State Department Proposes Fee Changes for Consular Services
- USCIS to Issue Revised Approval Notices for Certain I-129s and I-539s
- USCIS Releases Tips on Filing I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- USCIS Is Reissuing Advance Parole Documents to Correct Date
- FY 2010 H-1B Cap Reached
- Department of Labor Announces Centralization of Prevailing Wage Determinations
- State Dept. Proposes Increase in Nonimmigrant Visa Application, BCC Fees
- USCIS Issues Controversial Memo on Determining Employer-Employee Relationships for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions
- DHS Grants TPS to Haitians Following Catastrophic Earthquake
- DHS Issues I-9 Audit Notices, Requests Substantial Documentation
- Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs for Three Years
- USCIS Reminds Applicants for Travel Documents To Apply Early
- State Department Cautions Waiver Travelers To Disclose Visa Delays as Denials
- USCIS Temporarily Accepts Incorrectly Denied LCAs for Certain H-1B Cases
- USCIS Releases Fact Sheet on ‘Public Charge’ Determinations
- USCIS Says Fees May Rise
- Labor Department Issues FAQ on LCAs
- Be Prepared for Surprise Enforcement Site Visits
- USCIS Issues Guidance on E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule
- October Visa Bulletin Shows EB-3s Backlogged 7 Years; No Improvement in November
- State Department Issues DV-2011 Visa Lottery Instructions
- Missouri Plant Pays $450K Fine for Hiring Undocumented Workers
- DHS Proposes To Rescind Social Security No-Match Rule; SEVIS Data To Be Integrated Into E-Verify
- October Visa Bulletin Shows EB-3s
Backlogged 7 Years - State Dept. Introduces Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
- OMB Extends I-9 Approval to August 31, 2012
- State Department Announces Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List
- Visa Waiver Program Emergency/Temporary Passports Must Be Electronic, CBP Says
- DHS Secretary Announces Support for Federal Contractor E-Verify Rule, Intention to Rescind No-Match Rule
- Krispy Gets Kremed: $40,000 Fine Incurred for Immigration Violations
- DOS Releases DV-2010 Lottery Results
- USCIS Provides Guidance on I-751s Filed Before Termination of Marriage
- Outlook Uncertain for India, China Employment-Based Visa Categories
- Current I-9 Form Validity Extended Beyond June 30
- H-1B Processing Time Will Increase July 1
- E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule Delayed Until September 8, 2009
- CBP Reminds Visa Waiver Travelers of New Emergency/Temporary Passport Requirements Effective July 1
- USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Certain I-140s
- President, Members of Congress Discuss Immigration Reform
- USCIS Updates Progress Toward H-1B Cap
- Rule Requiring Federal Contractors to Use E-Verify System Delayed
- DOL Keeping Pre-iCERT LCA System Operational Through June 30
- State Dept. Updates Visa Availability for Remainder of Year
- USCIS Revises Filing Instructions and Direct Mail Program for Replacement Green Card
- New Border Document Requirements in Effect June 1
- H-1B Cap Not Yet Reached, USCIS Announces
- DOL Announces New LCA/PERM Labor Cert Electronic Application System
- CBP Expands Global Entry Pilot Program to Netherlands
- H-1B, L-1 “Reform” Legislation Introduced
- Economic Stimulus Bill Includes H-1B Restrictions for TARP Recipients
- US-VISIT Procedures Expanded to Additional Travelers
- DOL to Release New LCA and PERM Forms
- CBP Discusses Immigrant Intent for Trade NAFTA Applicants
- H-1B Update: FY 2010 Filings Still Being Accepted
- Illinois E-Verify Statute Overturned
- New I-9 Form Goes into Effect
- Prepare Early for the H-1B Lottery
- New I-9 Form Available, USCIS Delays Change in List of Acceptable Documents
- Rule Requiring Contractors to Use E-Verify Suspended Again, Until May 21
- Several Visa Categories Show Movement in February
- VWP Travelers Must Apply for Security Clearance Online
- USCIS Comments on L-1B Intracompany Transferee Denials
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Challenges Legality of E-Verify Requirement for Federal Contractors
- DHS Issues Interim Rule on I-9 Verification Documents
- US-VISIT Expanded to Nearly All Noncitizens
- Company Agrees to Pay Largest Settlement Ever in Worksite Enforcement Case
- E-Verify Deadline Approaches for Federal Contractors
- USCIS Revises Religious Worker Regulations
- DHS Adds Countries to Visa Waiver Program; CBP Requires Travel Authorization
- TPS Re-Registration Period Extended for Nicaraguans, Hondurans
- USCIS Estimates 21 Percent of H-1B Cases Involve Fraud or Technical Violations
- U.S. Increases Period of Stay for Trade-NAFTA Professionals From Canada and Mexico
- Seven Countries To Be Added to Visa Waiver Program
- USCIS Withdraws Lockbox for Naturalization Applications
- Slow Forward Movement Predicted for Employment Categories
- Employment Visa Categories Backlogged
- DV-2010 Visa Lottery Entry Period Begins
- EAD Delays: What To Do?
- Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs Until March 2009
- Naturalization Form Added To Direct
Mail Program
- New Passport Card Is Acceptable For Employment Eligibility Verification
- E-Verify Provokes Controversy
- Electronic VWP Application System Now Available
- USCIS Proposes Changes to H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, Withdraws Earlier Proposed Rule
- New Naturalization Test Implemented; USCIS Updates Processing Times
- The DV-2010 Lottery Online Entry Begins at Noon EDT on October 2, 2008; Ends at Noon EST on December 1, 2008
- Bill Would Extend E-Verify for 10 Years
- New “Exit Tax” Imposed on U.S. Citizens and Long-Term Permanent Residents
- EB-2 Numbers for India, China Advance in August; Employment Third Preference Category Is Unavailable
- USCIS Updates Cap Info for H-1B Workers for FY 2009
- Federal Contractors Will Have To Use E-Verify, White House Orders
- CBP Issues Tips for U.S.-Canadian Border Travelers
- USCIS To Issue Two-Year EADs for Certain LPR Applicants
- USCIS Offers Premium Processing Service for Certain Immigrant Worker Petitions
- DOL Audits Labor Cert Applications Filed By Fragomen
- Diversity Visa Lottery Results Announced
- DHS Issues Supplemental Q&A on OPT Interim Rule for F-1 Students
- E-Verify Update: Naturalization, Arrival Data Incorporated
- USCIS Long-term Agenda May Include Halting Concurrent I-140, I-485 Filings
- USCIS Announces Proposed Rule To Increase Periods of Stay for TN Professionals From Canada, Mexico
- Laptops, Storage Devices May Undergo Scrutiny At Border
- USCIS Runs Random Selection Process for
H-1B Petitions - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Issues Interim Rule Affecting F-1 Students
- DHS Issues No-Match Supplemental Proposed Rule; Public Comments Accepted Until April 25
- PERM Data Released
- WHTI-Compliant Document To Be Required for Land, Sea Travel Into the U.S.
- India Second Preference Visa Numbers Available in April
- Hard Times Expected at Toronto Consulate
- Fines, Prosecutions for Hiring Undocumented Workers to Increase
- Many Employment Visa Number Cut-Off Dates Advance in March
- USCIS Revises Security, Name Check Requirements
- Naturalization Processing Times Increase Drastically
- H-2B Cap Reached
- DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints at Logan Airport
- India Employment Second Preference Becomes Unavailable
- Revised I-9 Verification Forms Now Required
- Department of State Expands Fingerprinting and Name Checks
- Fees Raised for Visa Applications and Border Crossing Cards
- India Second Preference Cut-Off Date Retrogresses
- No-Match Letters Will Not Be Sent This Year, SSA Says; DHS Will Revise Rule
- USCIS Releases New Form I-9
- Nonimmigrant Visa Delays Caused by Electronic Verification Requirement
- DHS To Begin Requiring 10 Fingerprints at Ports of Entry
- China, India Second Preference Cut-Off Dates Retrogress; Other Projections
- USCIS Announces New Naturalization Test
- DV-2009 Lottery Application
- Backlogged Immigration Cases ‘Could Take
Years’ to Process, USCIS Says; No Forward
Movement of Cut-Off Dates - USCIS Streamlines Readmission for Certain
H and L Adjustment Applicants - Court Issues Preliminary Injunction on
No-Match Letter Rule
- USCIS Proposes Replacement of Green Cards
Without Expiration Dates - CBP Launches Online Application for Cross-
Border Travel Program - USCIS Issues Service Center and Lockbox
Receipting Update - DV-2009 Lottery Registration Period to Begin in
October
- DHS Releases Final Rule on SSA
“No-Match” Letters - DOS, USCIS Reverse Policies, Release Guidance
in Response to July Visa Number Debacle - USCIS Announces Extension of Temporary
Suspension of Premium Processing Service
for I-140s - Reminder: New Application and Petition Fees
Went into Effect on July 30 - Passport Measures Relaxed in Response to
Massive Backlogs
- DOS Declares All Employment-Based Visa
Categories Unavailable; USCIS will Reject
Employment-Based I-485 Filings - Immigration Reform Bill Dies in Senate
- USCIS Issues Interim Guidance on Final Labor
Certification Rule - I-140 Premium Processing Service Suspended
Through July - USCIS Issues Reminder on New Fees
- USCIS Announces Direct Filing for More Forms
- Immigration Reform Bill Withdrawn from Senate
Floor - DOL Publishes Final Labor Certification Rule,
Prohibits Substitutions and Payment of Labor
Certification Costs by Employees; USCIS
Terminates Premium Processing for I-140s
Requesting Substitutions - USCIS Issues Final Rule Increasing Fees
- Some Immigrant Visa Categories Move Forward
Significantly in June
- H-1B Rush Begins and Ends; Reform Bill
Introduced in House; Other Developments - USCIS Reminds Applicants of New Filing
Procedures Effective April 2 - H-2B Cap Reached
- DHS Proposes to Relax Land, Sea Passport Rules
for Children - Employment Third Preference Category Stagnates
- DHS Launches Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
- CBP Establishes Traveler Complaint Web Site
- Chin & Curtis Issues H-1B Application Alert
- USCIS Proposes Large Fee Increases
- Change of Address Function Introduced on Web
- New Naturalization Test Pilot Emphasizes Civics,
History
- State Dept., DHS Announce New Passport
Requirement for Air Travelers - USCIS Issues Guidance on Periods of Admission
for H and L Workers - SSA Explains How Foreign Workers Can Obtain
Social Security Numbers - DV-2008 Green Card Lottery Registration Period
Ends; Entrants Increase - Government Agencies Release Information on
Upcoming Regulations
- Labor Dept. Updates Labor Certification
Procedures - USCIS Transfers Cases among Processing
Locations - State Dept. Proposes New Limited-use Passport
Card
- Chin & Curtis Holiday Travel Reminder,
Update on Visa Waiver Program,
Biometric Passport Requirements - USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service
- Shifts in Visa Number Availability Kick Off
New Fiscal Year - State Dept. Instructs on Effective Business
Referral Programs - 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Instructions Released
- USCIS Eliminates Locally Produced Employment
Authorization Cards
- State Dept. Proposes to Require Passports at
Certain Ports of Entry Beginning in January - USCIS Releases FAQ on Completing I-9
Verification Form - USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service,
Issues New Form - U.S. Embassy, State Dept. Release Guidance on
Visa Processing for Lebanese - Employment Third Preference Visa Availability
May Retrogress - Study Finds Immigration Increases Have Not
Hurt Employment for U.S. Workers
- H-1B “Advanced Degree” Reached for FY 2007
- DHS Proposes Expanding US-VISIT to
Additional Non-U.S. Citizens-VISIT Contracts - USCIS Discontinues Locally Produced I-688B
Employment Authorization Cards - TPS Extended for Somalia
- State Dept. Announces Retrogression of India
Employment-Based Category, Other News - USCIS Issues Final Rule on Affidavits of Support
- DHS Issues Proposed Rule on SSN Matches, ‘Safe Harbor’ Verification Procedures
- ICE Issues Interim Rule on Retaining I-9s Electronically
- State Department Issues Notice on New Passport Requirements
- USCIS Releases New Guidance on H-1B Cap Exemptions
- USCIS Releases Guidance on Permanent Offers of Employment for Outstanding Professors and Researchers
- No Action Yet in Congress on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bills, But States Aren’t Waiting; Hearings Planned
- ‘SKIL’ Bill Introduced in House; Would Benefit Employment-Based Immigration
- H-1B Cap Has Been Reached
- USCIS to Expand Premium Processing Service to Most Employment-Based Green Card Petitions
- Senate Passes Immigration Legislation but Compromise With House Remains Uncertain
- USCIS Reminds Adjustment Applicants to Obtain Advance Parole Before Summer Travel
- DHS Cracks Down on Nonimmigrant Visa Overstays, Worksite Violations
- Labor Dept. to Close America’s Job Bank