The Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman office recently released the 2021 Annual Report and to characterize the Agency as overwhelmed, underfunded and in chaos would be kind. There are over 1.3 million applicants waiting for biometric appointments and a total of over 7 million applications and petitions awaiting adjudication. The most immediate concern is the… Continue reading Agency in Meltdown ?
Category: US Immigration Policy
NIE Conference Call
Got questions about getting an NIE so you or your international employees can obtain a visa and enter the U.S. ? We are hosting a free conference call for clients and friends on July 7th. Please register here.
Technical Talent Scarcity Exacerbated by the COVID Pandemic
Recent research published by the New American Economy provides findings that support the notion that demand for high skilled labor has increased yet the supply has decreased. This scarcity of labor is expected to negatively impact the economic recovery. Check out the full report here.
International Entrepreneur Program Lives !
Today, the USCIS published a rule withdrawing a Trump Admin. rule which served to block the implementation of an Obama Admin rule which created an avenue for entrepreneurs and investors to come to the US. Check out the USCIS announcement. HNM works with investors and entrepreneurs to obtain US visas including E, L-1a, and EB5’s… Continue reading International Entrepreneur Program Lives !
Visa Ban Expires
As of April 1st, the Trump Non-immigrant Visa ban which applied to certain new visas including H and L categories was allowed to expire. If you were subject to the ban you may now seek a visa. If you were denied a visa due to the ban, you may now apply again, paying the fee… Continue reading Visa Ban Expires
USCIS Provides OPT Relief !
The USCIS has recognized the difficulties that students are having as a result of delays in the issuance of I-765 receipts, the processing of 765 applications and the actual production of EAD cards so they have provided some relief. The steps taken by the USCIS will allow students to take full advantage of the 12… Continue reading USCIS Provides OPT Relief !
H-1b Lottery to Remain Random
The USCIS has announced that the proposal to select H-1b lottery winners by wage level has been delayed until the end of this year to give the Administration time to review and assess the policy change. For this year’s H-1b cap lottery, FY 2022, the selection will remain random.
Which “new” Regulations Remain ?
There were 3 new regulations announced by the Trump Administration prior to their demise. They included: 1. A change to the way the H-1b lottery was conducted to emphasize level of pay 2. A change to the DOL methodology for setting prevailing wages using the OES 3. A change to the definition of employer-employee Last… Continue reading Which “new” Regulations Remain ?
DOL Withdraws the H-1b Memo
In a victory for legal immigration and particularly staffing employers, the DOL announced today that it was withdrawing its policy memo issued last Fri., which imposed additional requirements on staffing employers and their customers.
Recent USCIS and DOL Rules
On this day, when the legal immigration world should be celebrating an incoming President that, at the very least, will not be anti legal immigration, we are still reading and trying to understand the implications of the new rules announced in the past week. Here is a link to a great summary from our friend… Continue reading Recent USCIS and DOL Rules
International Travel Reminder
Effective Jan 26, 2021, all air travelers entering the U.S. will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The Department of State (DOS) has updated its guidance. This new travel requirement is based upon a CDC ruling.