Following the lottery results issued this week, USCIS announced today that H-1B petitioners may begin submitting petitions during the 90 day window noted on the selection notice. USCIS reported nearly 275,000 unique registrations were submitted during the initial registration period with approximately 46% of all registrations under the advanced degree category.
Continue Reading USCIS FY 2021 H-1B Cap Selections & Filing Window
USCIS Office Closures Updates- as of April 1, 2020
In-Person Services Suspended Until At Least May 3
In response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) developments, as of April 1, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its office closures suspending routine in-person services until May 3rd.
What does this mean for cases in progress?
USCIS will reschedule appointments for
Continue Reading USCIS Office Closures Updates- as of April 1, 2020
SSA Office Closures and the Impact on SSN Issuance For Foreign Nationals
With the closure of Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in the wake of COVID-19, we are receiving questions concerning the impact on work authorization for individuals who may have recently entered the U.S. in a temporary work authorized visa status, i.e. H-1B, L-1, TN, E etc.
While the Social Security Number (SSN) is used and required, in a variety of areas, it is not mandatory to be presented as proof of work authorization.
Continue Reading SSA Office Closures and the Impact on SSN Issuance For Foreign Nationals
COVID-19 Immigration Updates From the Agencies
Seyfarth Synopsis: The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in unprecedented travel restrictions, U.S. consular appointment cancellations, and changes to USCIS operations. To help navigate these challenges, Seyfarth is providing a brief summary of recent developments from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Labor.
Updates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Continue Reading COVID-19 Immigration Updates From the Agencies
MAY 2018 VISA BULLETIN
Trivia: On May 10, 1877, U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes had which common piece of technology first installed into the White House?
Where are we this month?
Advancements
Employment
- Chinese nationals advance approximately one month in the EB-2 and Other Workers categories while Indian nationals see a slightly more significant advancement of 3 months in both the EB-3 and Other Workers categories.
- Mexican nationals advanced nearly 11 weeks in the EB-4 category.
- Of particular importance, filing dates for Certain Religious Workers are current for all nationals excluding Mexican, El Salvadorian, Guatemalan, and Honduran nationals while the 5th Non-Regional and Regional Center categories are current for all individuals except Chinese and Vietnamese nationals
California Continues to Shine Under ICE’s Spotlight
Seyfarth Synopsis: Following the wave of Notices of Inspection (NOI) at 77 Northern California businesses last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents are continuing to spread the cheer with NOIs targeting businesses in Southern California this week. Serving NOIs throughout the greater Los Angeles area, the inspections appear industry agnostic. The NOIs delivered by HSI agents and auditors notify businesses that they must produce their employees’ Forms I-9, Employment Eligibility Verifications within 72 hours. The notices often include a list requesting additional company information and documents as well.
Local HSI offices are keeping ICE’s Deputy Director Thomas Homan’s promise of increasing its activities not just across the nation but more specifically targeting sanctuary cities and states like California. It is important to note that businesses receiving the NOIs are not all within the service, manufacturing, agriculture, or traditional “infrastructure” sectors. Employers across industries should take a look at their Form I-9s and overall immigration compliance – the time to figure things out is not during the 72 hours after a NOI is issued.Continue Reading California Continues to Shine Under ICE’s Spotlight
Déjà vu – Government Shutdown and Impacts on Immigration
By: Mahsa Aliaskari
Update: At midnight the federal government shut down. We will keep employers updated as details of immigration related closings and the negotiations in Congress become available.
Seyfarth Synopsis: As we wait to hear the fate of yet another temporary extension to continue funding the government after midnight on Saturday January 20th – employers should know how a shutdown may impact processing of immigration petitions and immigration programs.Continue Reading Déjà vu – Government Shutdown and Impacts on Immigration
Newest Administration Target – U.S. Visa Waiver Program
By Mahsa Aliaskari and Alexander Madrak
Seyfarth Synopsis: Citing security reasons, the Trump administration announces expansion of requirements for the 38 countries that participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allowing limited travel to the U.S. for business and tourism.
On December 15, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security
Continue Reading Newest Administration Target – U.S. Visa Waiver Program
Targeted ICE Investigations – In It For The Long Haul With Record $95 Million Plea Deal For I-9 Violations
Seyfarth Synopsis: With a record $95 million plea deal for I-9 immigration violations following a six year investigation, the outcome for a Pennsylvania company with operations nationwide serves as a reminder of the federal government’s unwavering commitment to investigating and enforcing of immigration laws. A look at the facts behind
Continue Reading Targeted ICE Investigations – In It For The Long Haul With Record $95 Million Plea Deal For I-9 Violations
Employers Must Use New I-9 by September 18, 2017
By Dawn Lurie, Mahsa Aliaskari, and Jason Burritt
Seyfarth Synopsis: USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9 that employers must use to verify identity and employment authorization of new hires effective September 18, 2017. There are no substantive changes from the current Form I-9, which USCIS issued
Continue Reading Employers Must Use New I-9 by September 18, 2017