FordMurray is pleased to release two new H-1B Guides for 2019: the H-1B Employers Guide and H-1B Guide for Individuals. While both guides are filled with up-to-date information on the upcoming H-1B Cap Lottery process, they are designed to answer the specific questions we receive from employers and individuals about the H-1B petition process. H-1B… [Read More]
7 Tips for the 2020 H-1B Cap Season
While immigration – or more specifically, President Trump’s “wall” – dominates the first full week for the newly elected Congress, the next few months should see immigration in the forefront of national discourse. Immediately, we can expect debate to continue as the majority Democrat House of Representatives spar with President Trump over funding for his… [Read More]
2018 Year in Review – the Top 5 Changes to Business Immigration this Year
2018 saw many changes in the immigration landscape and the implementation of President Donald Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” initiative, which has and will continue to reshape the way the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enforces federal immigration law. While news headlines were dominated by anti-immigrant policy and rhetoric, talk of building a… [Read More]
The Impacts of Premium Processing for H-1B Extensions and Portability
On August 28, 2018, the USCIS announced that an April suspension of premium processing for Cap-subject H-1B petitions would continue and would be expanded as of September 11, 2018, to other H-1B petitions, most notably, H-1B extensions and H-1B “change of employer”. The suspension of H-1B premium processing for these types of H-1B petitions is expected to last until… [Read More]
Top 5 Tips for Year-End Immigration Planning
With the change from summer to fall, we approach the end of 2018 – when many companies are planning their recruitment and retention strategies for foreign employees. In today’s immigration landscape, it’s important to know how to proactively plan for your business goals, so we have compiled our Top 5 Tips for Year-End Immigration Planning:… [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]
Not Just Dreamers – Here Are Three Real Immigration Problems Congress Should Address (And How to Fix Them)
House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday announced two votes on immigration legislation in the United States House of Representatives, derailing efforts by bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives to secure the signatures necessary to vote on competing immigration reform bills using a discharge petition. The upcoming votes on two separate immigration bills – one proposed by… [Read More]
Physician Groups Worry H-1B Scrutiny to Impact Patient Care
National physician groups are worried that increased scrutiny on H-1B visa applications will impact patient care at teaching hospitals throughout the United States, according to a letter sent to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna. Prevailing Wage RFEs Due to Lack of Data The letter expresses concern that non-U.S. international medical graduates (IMGs)… [Read More]
5 US Business Visas for Foreign-Born Physicians
The United States is predicted to have a significant shortage of qualified physicians in the next several decades. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, and with medical advances keeping seniors alive longer and longer, they are needing more and more medical care. In addition, the doctors from this generation are retiring at a… [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]
