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]

Supreme Court Upholds DACA

In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court decided President Donald Trump cannot end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In his argument, Chief Justice John Roberts said the President did not provide sufficient justification for ending the Obama-era program in 2017. “We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound… [Read More]

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month. Effective June 1, 2020, USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for all eligible Form I-140 petitions…. [Read More]

USCIS Announces Delay in H-1B Cap Petitions Processing

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a delay in data entry and receipt notices for FY2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions due to health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the memo, USCIS will not begin intake processing until at least May 1, 2020. This announcement impacts H-1B Cap cases selected in… [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]

Immigration Updates on COVID-19

As governments and health organizations worldwide respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. visa and green card holders and sponsors should closely monitor impacts on travel restrictions and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Embassy services. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us via email. We have experienced an influx… [Read More]