DOL Proposes Changes to Labor Condition Application Form ETA 9035
On August 3, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) formally notified the public that it intends to change Form ETA 9035. Form ETA 9035 is the Labor Condition Application that U.S. employers must file before seeking a temporary work visa for a professional worker under the H-1B program, as well as the H-1B1 program […]
President Proposes Points System for Green Cards While Reducing Green Cards for Family Reunification
On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, the President and Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) presented their proposal for reforming the U.S. immigration system. The bill, known as the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act (“RAISE Act”), seeks to create a points system for applicants seeking U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident visas (“Green […]
Trump Administration Considers Cuts to Immigration Quotas, Even as H-2B Program Quota Increases
Senior representatives of the Trump Administration have recently expressed support for new immigration measures that would reduce the number of lawful immigrants to the United States. As reported by Politico and The Washington Post, the Trump Administration are discussing a bill with Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) that would reduce legal immigration to […]
Social Media Records Under Scrutiny In Some Immigration Applications
Persons applying for U.S. visitor visas or work visas may have to undergo further screening by government agencies, focused on their social media history. In this article, we report on steps taken by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) during 2016 and 2017 to implement screening of social media activity […]
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Higher Education Institutions and Other Cap-Exempt Petitions
USCIS announced today that is is again making available 15-calendar day Premium Processing for H-1B visa petitions filed by higher education institutions, non-profit entities affiliated with institutions of higher education and other and other cap-exempt entities. USCIS indicates that it will resume Premium Processing for non-cap exempt H-1B cases as work flow permits. The USCIS notice […]
Bi-Partisan Support Continues for Dreamers on Capitol Hill
On 7/20/17, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Dream Act of 2017 (S. 1615). The proposed bill seeks to provide legal status to young people who were brought to the United States as children and grew up this country. Such children are commonly known as “Dreamers”. A week later, two bills […]
Employers Must Use New Form I-9 Starting September 18, 2017
On July 17, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released an updated version of Form I-9. Form I-9 is the key form used by U.S. employers to verify that an employee is authorized to work in the United States. The new version of Form I-9 has a version date of 07/17/17 and is obligatory […]
Executive Order “Travel Ban” Takes Effect, with Key Exceptions
In late June, following an order by the United States Supreme Court, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State issued guidance regarding the enforcement of Executive Order 13780. Under this Order, certain nationals of Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen will be subject to stricter controls on entering the U.S. The Order […]
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions under the “Conrad 30” Program for Physicians
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that as of June 26, 2017, they are again accepting premium processing requests for certain H-1B petitions—but so far, this option is only available to H-1B petitions filed under the Conrad 30 waiver program for physicians, and petitions with IGA waivers. This means that e.g. physicians who are […]
USCIS Introduces Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants
Today we published the following news release, available here on our website. WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders. The revised version gives […]