Changes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Public Charge Rule, scheduled to go into effect February 24th, will fundamentally change how officers will determine inadmissibility for adjustment of status applicants and those seeking an extension or change of their current nonimmigrant status. The Public Charge Rule will NOT apply to: Those seeking… [Read More]
Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban
An expansion of President Trump’s 2017 travel ban adds Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. With the expansion, announced January 31, 2020, nearly a quarter of the population of Africa is subject to the immigration guidelines, according to the New York Times. The newest travel ban applies to citizens of Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and… [Read More]
Iranian Citizens No Longer Eligible for E Visa
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that citizens of Iran will no longer be eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas. The move comes following the October 3, 2018 termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran. Without a qualifying treaty of commerce between Iran and the United… [Read More]
USCIS Announces Implementation of Electronic Filing for H-1B Petitions for FY 2021 Cap
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the electronic registration process proposed in 2019 will be implemented for H-1B petitioners seeking to file cap-subject Petitions in 2020. The electronic registration requirement will fundamentally change how the H-1B lottery is administered and should reduce the burden of paperwork for employers and for USCIS. As a… [Read More]
EB-5 Investor Program to Receive USCIS Overhaul
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on Tuesday announced reforms to its EB-5 Investment Program that will increase the minimum investment to qualify for the investor green card. In addition to hikes in investment thresholds, USCIS announced reforms to Targeted Employment Area (TEA) designations and processing changes that could streamline the EB-5 process. The proposed… [Read More]
OPT Work Authorization Delays Impact Foreign Students
The New York Times reports student visa holders are encountering obstacles with obtaining work authorization associated with Optional Practical Training (OPT), a vital and essential component of the F-1 visa for most, if not all, foreign national students. OPT work authorization allows F-1 students to work temporarily in fields that advance their studies for a… [Read More]
How the Government Shutdown is Impacting Immigration Law
As the government shutdown enters its third week, many employers are beginning to wonder what impacts the shutdown will have on their international workforces. The good news – most services provided by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are fee-funded, and do not depend on government fund appropriation. With that being said, some USCIS… [Read More]
Rule By Memorandum: What You Need to Know about USCIS Updates to NTA Policy
A memo published July 5 by the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlines a policy change that could have far reaching implications for those in the United States on work or student visas. Change in Notice to Appear Policy The July memo, which, among other decrees, instructs USCIS to issue a Notice to… [Read More]
Top Three Options for Individual Not Selected in H-1B Cap Lottery
The USCIS announced this morning that it has received sufficient H-1B Petitions for both the “regular” and “Master’s Degree” Caps and that it is no longer accepting Cap-Subject Petitions. The lottery is expected to begin next week with notifications beginning in mid-to late-May. H-1B Alternatives For those employees that are not selected in the H-1B… [Read More]
Third Travel Ban Applies To New Countries, Now Permanent
The Trump Administration has announced a third version of its Travel Ban. The new ban is permanent, not temporary like the previous bans. The list of targeted countries has been changed and the impact for each country is different. Below is an analysis of the impact for each country. The new Travel Ban is effective… [Read More]
