The USCIS has published a proposed rule that would increase filing fees for most immigration filings. The fee increases are huge with the L petition cost going up by over 200% and the H-1b over 70%. I-485 filings would double from $1225 to $2820 and H-1b registrations form $10 to $215. The new fees will… Continue reading Filing Fee Increases ?
Category: US Immigration Policy
Public Charge Rule Goes into Effect
The USCIS has announced that its public charge rule will go into effect on Dec 23, 2022. This has the practical result of requiring all I-485 applications in process but, not yet filed to be re-done to use the new I-485 form version that was just released. For employment based applicants, there should be little… Continue reading Public Charge Rule Goes into Effect
Behind the Scenes at the DOS
For an interesting look at the inner workings of the Department of State (DOS) and in particular, Consular Affairs, check out this article. Kudos to all government workers trying to do the right thing and upholding the law.
Federal Reserve Chair Takes Aim at Trump/Miller
In a recent speech, Federal Reserve Board Chair Powell directly charged the Trump era anti-legal immigration policies for having a continued negative effect on the U.S. economy. The anti-immigrant policies created by Stephen Miller and implemented by the Trump Administration reduced the number of high-skilled, healthcare, and STEM workers being admitted into the U.S. The… Continue reading Federal Reserve Chair Takes Aim at Trump/Miller
Bill to Address Visa Delays ?
Recently, two Congressional Reps., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Susie Lee, D-Nev. in a bi-partisan showing, introduced a Bill to address the long-wait times at US Consular posts for visas. Given the political realities of DC, it is unlikely that this bill will see much movement but, for people languishing in long lines, it is… Continue reading Bill to Address Visa Delays ?
OPT STEM Program Upheld by Federal Court
The Federal Court of Appeals for Washington D.C. upheld a lower Court decision and ruled that both the OPT and STEM OPT programs were lawfully enacted. This case arose from a lawsuit initiated by a group of union tech workers in 2008 arguing that any type of OPT program created by the DHS exceeded the… Continue reading OPT STEM Program Upheld by Federal Court
Healthcare Worker Shortage and Immigration
If you are interested in healthcare and/or healthcare immigration, you should check out this Senate hearing on the topic.
H-1b Data from SIA
Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) has published an article filled with H-1b data in the context of heavy demand for IT talent. It notes the massive increase in H-1b registrations to almost 500,000 for this year’s H-1b lottery. At some point, hopefully Congress grasps that the lack of IT talent tin the US is a problem… Continue reading H-1b Data from SIA
STEM Workers in the US.
The American Immigration Council published new data regarding STEM workers in the U.S.
Immigration Reform Not Included in the Senate Budget Bill-Victory !
Read why it was such a victory to have none of the proposed immigration proposals included in the recently passed Senate Budget Bill.
Emphasis on STEM
The current White House Administration and the USCIS has chosen to promote immigration options for STEM workers and have created multiple on-line resources to explain non-immigrant pathways and immigrant pathways available for international workers and U.S. employers.