news
Immigration Alerts
Alerts
31Mar2021
H-1B Cap Lottery Completed
Yesterday, on March 30th, USCIS announced that the H-1B random selection (lottery) process has concluded and that it has informed registrants and attorneys of the selection result through “MyUSCIS” accounts.
Alerts
04Mar2021
Travelers from the Schengen Area, UK and Ireland: U.S. Department of State Revises Criteria for National Interest Exception Waivers
On March 2, 2021, DOS revised its policy for granting National Interest Exception (NIE) waivers for travelers subject to Presidential Proclamation 10143 as it pertains to travelers from the Schengen Area, UK and Ireland.
Alerts
02Mar2021
Week 8 of the Biden Administration: Employment-Based Immigration Update
President Biden has been in office less than 100 days, however in this short period several positive changes have been announced which directly benefit the US employment-based immigration system.
Alerts
26Jan2021
U.S. Entry Restrictions Expanded Due To COVID-19
On January 25th, President Biden expanded restrictions on non-U.S. citizens attempting to enter the U.S. from the following countries:
Alerts
22Jan2021
Week 1 of the Biden Administration: Employment-Based Immigration Update
Wasting no time, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain issued a memorandum on January 20th that directs, in part, that 1) all rules pending at the Federal Register that have not been published must be immediately withdrawn and 2) agencies must "consider" postponing the effective dates for regulations that have been published, but not yet taken effect, for 60 days from the memo's date (i.e., postponed until at least March 21, 2021). Here’s what that means for the following rules, which the Trump Administration tried to implement in its waning days:
Alerts
17Jan2021
USCIS Suspending In-Person Services on January 19th and 20th
USCIS announced on Friday that it will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on Jan. 19th and 20th to ensure the safety of its employees and individuals with appointments.
Alerts
08Jan2021
USCIS Receipt Notice Delays
USCIS is significantly delayed in issuing receipt notices for some applications filed at USCIS lockbox facilities, and in particular, employment-based I-485 and I-765 applications.
Alerts
08Jan2021
Trump’s Attempt to Change the H1B Cap Selection Process
Although USCIS announced a new rule yesterday to change the H1B cap selection process, it is expected that the incoming Biden administration will suspend (i.e., postpone) this rule. The new rule is current scheduled to take effect on March 8th.
Alerts
05Jan2021
Trump Extends Suspension of Entry of Certain Immigrants and Nonimmigrants
Despite low unemployment rate in computer science and engineering occupations, President Trump has chosen to extend Proclamation 10052, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020, through March 31, 2021.
Down