Looking Ahead: How a Biden Presidency Could Impact Immigration and Higher Education

President-Elect Joe Biden will inherit an immigration landscape that has changed dramatically in the four years of the Trump Administration. Under its “Buy American, Hire American” directive, the Trump Administration changed the way federal immigration laws are interpreted and enforced, leading to increased scrutiny of every conceivable aspect of legal immigration, from obtaining U.S. citizenship… [Read More]

Looking Ahead: How a Biden Presidency Could Impact Start-Ups and the Innovation Economy

President-Elect Joe Biden will inherit an immigration landscape that has changed dramatically in the four years of the Trump Administration. Under its “Buy American, Hire American” directive, the Trump Administration changed the way federal immigration laws are interpreted and enforced, leading to increased scrutiny of every conceivable aspect of legal immigration, from obtaining U.S. citizenship… [Read More]

SEVP Backs Away from Temporary Plan Helping F-1/M-1 Students during the Pandemic

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SEVP instituted temporary measures allowing F-1/M-1 students to take more classes online than normally permitted under the Regulations. Request Your Complimentary Consultation Generally, SEVP Regulations only permit 1 class online per semester with the remaining credit hours to be taken “in person” at the university. In a July… [Read More]

H-1B, L-1 and J-1 Visa Alternatives

President Trump’s June 22nd Executive Order was arguably the most aggressive assault on U.S. business immigration of his administration – tying COVID-era unemployment rates to suspension of new H-1B, L-1 and J-1 visas issued outside of the United States. The suspension does not impact foreign nationals already in the United States in a valid visa… [Read More]

2020 H-1B Alternatives

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicated it received approximately 275,000 registrations for the available 86,000 slots in the most recent H-1B registration/lottery. With the initial selection complete, employers not selected should consider these H-1B alternatives – a process that can be daunting any year, and especially now as COVID-19 closures impact USCIS… [Read More]

COVID-19 Impacts to FY2021 H-1B Lottery

With online registration for H-1B petitions closing at noon EST on March 20, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is scheduled to begin the H-1B cap lottery for FY 2021 next week, with notifications to employers expected by March 31st. Suspension of Premium Processing USCIS announced today that it is temporarily suspending premium processing… [Read More]

Strategic Use of the E Visa with Blanket L Petitions

Multinational companies rely on being able to move important team members at the speed of business. To do this effectively, corporate leadership must employ immigration strategies that consider a variety of scenarios – from temporary visas for training and short-term projects to longer-term solutions that allow foreign executives, managers, and those with critical skillsets to… [Read More]