[Blogger’s Note: Today’s post originates from a discovery – a gem hidden in plain sight – first brought to my attention by Gabe Mozes, my immigration partner at Seyfarth Shaw, and co-author of this piece. Great immigration lawyer that he is, Gabe raised a particularly galling example of how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Revanchist Immigration: The Aftermath of “Buy American, Hire American”
By: Angelo Paparello
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employers take note. The April 18, 2017 “Presidential Executive Order on Buy American and Hire American,” has unleashed an array of legally dubious grounds from officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as their basis to ask for burdensome additional evidence and to deny requests for work visas and employment-based green cards on behalf of both existing and prospective employees.
DHS Releases Regulatory Agenda for 2018 – Major Changes Possible for H-1B, H-4, and F-1 Visa Holders
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its regulatory plan for 2018, which aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order, Buy American Hire American.
Although the specifics of each proposed rule will remain confidential until published in the Federal Register, the Regulatory Agenda does provides insight on what is likely ahead. Changes to the
H-1B Work Permit Filings: Will You Beat the Cap?
Seyfarth Synopsis: This blog post is intended to enable employers to identify any current employees and employment candidates who may require H-1B work permit sponsorship before October 1, 2019. We recommend that employers identify any such candidates as soon as possible, as on April 2, 2018, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin
Premium Processing Resumes for Fiscal Year 2018 H-1B Cap Petitions
Seyfarth Synopsis: On September 18, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective immediately it would resume premium processing for H-1B petitions filed subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 cap.
USCIS temporarily suspended premium processing of all H-1B petitions on April 1, 2017 with the stated goal of addressing significant backlogs
Trump Administration Issues “Buy American and Hire American” Executive Order
Seyfarth Synopsis: The EO orders the Departments of State, Justice, Labor, and Homeland Security to propose new rules and issue new guidance to “protect the interests of U.S. workers” and “promote the functioning of the H-1B visa program.”
On Tuesday, April 18, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) instructing the Secretary of State, the
USCIS Receives 199,000 H-1B Cap Petitions and Completes Lottery Process
Seyfarth Synopsis: USCIS completes the lottery process and receives 199,000 H-1B cap petitions.
On April 17, 2017, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it received 199,000 H-1B petitions to meet both the Master’s and regular H-1B quotas (or “caps”) for Fiscal Year 2018, which begins on October 1, 2017. This means
USCIS Suspends H-1B Premium Processing Beginning April 3, 2017
USCIS recently announced that the agency will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions beginning on April 3, 2017. USCIS indicates the purpose of the suspension is to process H-1B petitions that have been pending for many months, including in particular those approaching the 240-day automatic extension limitation, which would thereby reduce overall H-1B processing times. Please find below a list of frequently asked questions with our insights.
1. What is the effective date of the suspension?
The premium processing suspension is effective on April 3, 2017. The last day that USCIS will accept H-1B petitions filed with premium processing is Friday, March 31, 2017.
2. How long will the suspension last?
USCIS states that the suspension may last up to six months. USCIS imposed a similar suspension in the past and lifted the suspension early.
3. Does the suspension apply only to H-1Bs or other visa categories?
The suspension is limited to H-1B petitions only. This includes H-1B petitions seeking to extend status, amend status, change status, consular process, or change employers.
4. Can H-1B petitions be filed with premium processing in the month of March? If so, will USCIS continue to honor premium processing cases if they are still pending beyond April 3rd?
Yes, USCIS will accept an H-1B petition filed with premium processing on or before Friday, March 31, 2017. We anticipate that any H-1B petition filed with premium processing that is receipted on or before March 31st will receive the full benefit of premium processing, even if the adjudication continues beyond April 3rd. However, based on the posted USCIS announcement, the agency has discretion to refund premium processing fees if the agency has not taken adjudicative action on the case within the 15-calendar-day premium processing period.