Washington, DC. On September 5, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the wind down of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). On June 29, the attorneys general of Texas and several other states sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asserting that the DACA program is unlawful for the[Read More]
News & Alerts
Bloomberg BNA: Immigration Agency May Be Expanding Anti-Fraud Program
By Laura D. Francis Some immigration attorneys are seeing what could be a quiet expansion of a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services effort to root out fraud in the immigration system. That could translate to greater scrutiny of companies that transfer workers with uniquely specialized knowledge to their U.S. offices. “There are so many different things[Read More]
Notice to DHS Contractors and Subcontractors on Compliance with E-Verify
Washington DC, Jul 19, 2017. DHS article on FedBizOps summarizes E-Verify requirements. The Department of Homeland Security expects employers to abide by the immigration laws of the United States and to employ in the United States only individuals who are eligible to work. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification, requires federal contractors and[Read More]
USCIS offers special immigration services to Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
Washington, DC. USCIS has made public announcement that it offers special immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. USCIS makes following measures available on case-by-case basis and upon making special request: Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the[Read More]
USCIS to Expand In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants
August 28, 2017. WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a statement that it will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This changed policy is adopted in line with President’s Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the[Read More]
U.S. is still the major destination for the best and brightest students from around the world
U.S. is still the major destination for the best and brightest students from around the world. Nepal saw the largest growth (18%) of students coming to the United States to study while Saudi Arabia saw the steepest decline (19%). China and India is still the largest number of students to the United States (362,368 students[Read More]
International currency transfer using Bitcoin
Roland Sennholz, Esq. There has been much discussion lately of cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, the first and best-known of all such currencies. Investors and futurists alike hail the beginning of a new era, an era where decentralized digital money can be sent around the world in the blink of an eye. But, while large institutions have[Read More]
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Cap-Exempt Petitions
USCIS Release Date: July 24, 2017, WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a U.S. master’s degree or[Read More]
USCIS released the revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17, 2017
USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17. Employers can use this revised version or continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through Sept. 17, 2017. On Sept. 18, 2017 employers must use the revised form with a revision date of 07/17/17 N. Employers must continue following existing storage[Read More]
Mexican Lawful Immigrants Among the Least Likely to Become U.S. Citizens: Pew Research Center
Among Mexicans, desire is high, but about half cite language, cost barriers (original piece appears at http://www.pewresearch.org/about/use-policy/) BY ANA GONZALEZ-BARRERA The overall percentage of lawful immigrants to the United States choosing to apply for and gaining citizenship is at its highest level in more than two decades. Yet in terms of naturalization rate, Mexicans – the single[Read More]