By: Valerie Salcido, Mahsa Aliaskari, and Jake Campbell

Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a Temporary Final Rule extending the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applicants from 180 days to 540 days.

In alignment with ongoing efforts aimed

Continue Reading Streamlining Services: USCIS Auto-Extensions for Work Permits – A Step Towards Efficiency and Relief

By: Daniela Mayer and Mahsa Aliaskari

In light of prolonged Department of Labor (DOL) processing times and recent regulatory settlements involving the DOL and Department of Justice, employers are reevaluating their approaches to securing permanent residence (“green card”) sponsorship for essential talent. While the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) process

Continue Reading Beyond PERM: Unlocking New Pathways to Green Card Sponsorship for Key Talent

On the morning of February 14, 2024, several clients reached out after encountering issues with the photo matching tool in E-Verify. They reported discrepancies where the photos transmitted by E-Verify did not align with the photos on the employees’ documents. It became increasingly clear that E-Verify was not rendering

Continue Reading Valentines Day Glitch: E-Verify Photo-Match Mayhem

By: Jason E. Burritt, Victoria Ma, Gabriel Mozes, Mia Batista, and Brooke K. Gary

Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a final rule on the upcoming H-1B cap registration, creating a beneficiary-centric selection process, starting this FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period

Continue Reading USCIS Announces FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Details and Updates

By: Jason Burritt, Steven Brouillard, Valerie Salcido, and Victoria Ma

Seyfarth Synopsis:  Effective April 1, USCIS will implement significant filing fee increases, in particular for petition and applications related to employment-based benefits.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule, which will take effect on

Continue Reading USCIS Announces Significant Fee Increases Effective on April 1, 2024

By: Weija (Victoria) Ma

Seyfarth Synopsis: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to increase premium processing fees. The new fees will start on February 26, 2024.

On December 27, 2023, USCIS announced an inflation adjustment to premium processing fees effective February 26, 2024.

Pursuant to the USCIS

Continue Reading U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Increases Premium Processing Fees

Seyfarth Synopsis: On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued an Executive Order that sets a new course for the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Interestingly, this order is not just about technology- it brings with it a host of implications, including a significant move

Continue Reading Executive Order: A Real Shift in Immigration and AI, or Just AI Creation?

By: Rachel V. SeeAnnette Tyman, and Joseph R. Vele

Seyfarth synopsis: President Biden’s Executive Order on artificial intelligence sets forth his vision for America to continue leading in AI innovation while also addressing risks associated with the use of AI. While much of the document delves into cutting-edge safety issues with national security implications, there are many provisions in the EO that have broad ramifications for companies generally, and employers specifically. The Order mandates greater coordination by civil-rights agencies on AI issues, emphasizes worker protections, and instructs the Department of Labor to guide federal contractors regarding AI-driven hiring practices. It marks the strategic emphasis on the government’s internal standards for AI governance and AI risk management, and towards articulating and implementing “required minimum risk-management practices” for AI applications that “impact people’s rights or safety.” The Executive Order’s emphasis on security assessments of AI systems are also set to influence AI risk management and safety dialogues across various sectors, all with significant implications in the labor and employment domain.Continue Reading President Biden Signs Executive Order Setting Forth Broad Directives for Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Enforcement

By: Jake Campbell, Weija (Victoria) Ma, and Jason Burritt

Seyfarth Synopsis: The below summarizes recent legal updates that impact U.S. immigration:

1. Government Shutdown Avoided – For Now

On September 30, 2023, Congress passed a stopgap bill to keep the government running for another 45 days. For more information on potential impacts if the government were to shutdown, please see our legal alert–Potential Government Shutdown: Immigration Consequences for Employers and their Foreign Employeeshere.Continue Reading October 2023 U.S. Immigration Alert

By: Weijia (Victoria) Ma, Jake Campbell, Michelle Gergerian

Seyfarth Synopsis: The below summarizes recent legal updates that impact U.S. immigration:

1. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Launched Online Appointment Request Form

On August 21, USCIS launched a new online form for individuals to request in-person appointments at their local field offices. Instead of calling the USCIS Contact Center, individuals can use the online appointment request form to request an in-person appointment at a field office for ADIT stamps, Emergency Advance Parole, and more. However, it is important to note that the requested date and time cannot be guaranteed. USCIS will review the online appointment request form and schedule the individual for an in-person appointment date based on the local field office’s availability.Continue Reading September 2023 U.S. Immigration Alert