By: Dawn Lurie, Mahsa Aliaskari, and Brooke Gary
Along with the New Year, January 1st also marks the implementation of a new Visa Bulletin by the U.S. Department of State.
Each month, the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) chooses whether it will follow the Dates
Continue Reading January 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Highlights and Implications
With an incoming administration vocal about its stance on immigration enforcement and safeguarding U.S. workers, employers who hire foreign workers on H-1B visas should make certain that they are maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. To avoid potential fines, penalties, or jeopardizing the status and work authorization of H-1B employees
Continue Reading Keeping Your Ducks in H-1B Row: Compliance Strategies for Employers
An all too familiar countdown once again as we wait to hear the fate of the latest temporary extension to continue funding the government after midnight on Friday, December 20th. Employers should be aware that a shutdown will likely impact processing of immigration cases.
During a shutdown, all but “essential”
Continue Reading Here We Go Again? Government Shutdown and Impacts on ImmigrationThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a permanent increase in the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) up to 540 days. The final rule will take effect on January 13, 2025.
Background on the History of Automatic EAD Extensions
The automatic extension of EADs was
Continue Reading DHS Announces Permanent Increase of Automatic EAD ExtensionsBy: Andrea Davis
The U.S. Department of State announced a significant update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective as of December 9, 2024. This action is in response to an Executive Order issued last year, in which the Biden Administration gave instructions to “consider initiating a rulemaking
Continue Reading Understanding the New Exchange Visitor Skills List Update
Recent Changes to Submission Requirements
As of December 2, 2024, USCIS has updated its policy to require that Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, be submitted along with Form I-485, which is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Previously, applicants could submit the
Continue Reading Navigating the Medical Examination Requirement for Form I-485: A Comprehensive Guide
On November 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with Great Dane LLC (Great Dane), a trailer manufacturing company, over allegations of discriminatory hiring practices against non-U.S. citizens. The DOJ’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) alleged that Great Dane’s Wayne, Nebraska plant committed a pattern
Continue Reading The Cost of Non-Compliance: Insights from IERs Settlement Agreement with Great Dane LLC
In an era of increasing global competition for highly skilled professionals, U.S. employers often face challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a special provision under the EB-2 visa category, offering a unique solution by allowing foreign nationals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities
Continue Reading National Interest Waiver (NIW) as a Viable Alternative to a Traditional Employment-based Green CardThe Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually through a random selection process from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Although it is a highly competitive process, the DV lottery can still be a
Continue Reading Diversity Visa Lottery: A Guide for U.S. EmployersThe passage of the vaguely named “Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act” led to widespread chatter that the law possibly prohibited employers from using E-Verify unless they were explicitly required to do so under federal law. In response to the confusion, Seyfarth attorneys sought clarification from Illinois state representatives
Continue Reading E-Verify in Illinois: SB0508 Myths Dispelled, Rights Protected