In July of 1991, we started this law firm as Hammond andAssociates and in full transparency, there were no associates. Julyof 2023 marks the transition from Hammond Neal Moore to CIP andEnvoy Global. We have gone from a small office in a strip center onthe outskirts of Dayton, Ohio to offices in downtown Cincinnati,Phoenix, Dallas,… Continue reading Thanks for 32 Years !
August Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) released the August Visa Bulletin and all categories across all countries are retrogressed. Given the “use it or lose it” laws in effect relative to immigrant visa (green card) usage, summer retrogression is not unusual and actually indicates that the USCIS and DOS are working efficiently and using all of… Continue reading August Visa Bulletin
HNM To Merge
HNM announced today that it is merging with GIA and CIP and partnering with Envoy Global to provide global immigration services. For more info. check out the joint press release.
Retrogression Strikes Again
The Department of State (DOS) has released the July Visa Bulletin and many categories saw further retrogression. Most notable was the India EB3 category which moved backward by over 2 years. All other EB3 categories retrogressed by 4 months. Forward movement is not expected until the new fiscal year in October and even further retrogression… Continue reading Retrogression Strikes Again
International Nurses and Legislation
Our friend and a fellow immigration attorney, Chris Musillo recently published an update on legislative efforts to address the US nursing shortage via immigration legislation. Make sure to read the Times article cited in his blog post !
New Visa Fees
Effective June 17th, many classes of NIV visas (issued at a Consulate abroad) will increase. The DOS has released the new schedule. The increases are not significant with most only $15. The last time the DOS raised fees was 2012 and 2014.
New PERM Filing System
The DOL’s new FLAG system for the submission of PERM applications (Labor Certification Applications) goes into effect on June 1, 2023. Applications may no longer be filed under the old system. Practitioners expect there to be many “glitches” and “Oh ! We didn’t think about that” but, are optimistic that the system will be much… Continue reading New PERM Filing System
END OF COVID-19 I-9 FLEXIBILITIES
The I-9 Employment Verification ProcessU.S. employers are required to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals they hire using the Form I-9:• After being offered the job, on or before the first day of employment, the employee must complete Part 1 of Form I-9.• Within three business days of the start of employment, the… Continue reading END OF COVID-19 I-9 FLEXIBILITIES
June Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) has released the June Visa Bulletin and there were no changes. Retrogression remains a problem that needs a legislative solution. The USCIS posted that it will only honor the Final Action Date chart for I-485 filings.
PERM Filings
The OFLC delayed the use of the new ETA 9089 PERM form and the filing platform but has announced that it will go into effect as of June 1, 2023. We do not expect a further delay.
Immigration Options for Healthcare Workers
The Congressional Research Service published a report on the various immigration options for international healthcare workers.