Immigration Alerts
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another Trump Administration Anti-Immigration Rule Struck Down
On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, a George W. Bush appointee, struck down new rules the Trump administration announced in October which significantly increased the required salary for H-1B and PERM (labor certification) cases.
Lawsuits Filed Against Trump Administration’s H-1B Visa Restrictions
U.S. companies, universities and associations have combined to file two lawsuits against the Trump administration’s new H-1B visa regulations, which was meant to make it virtually impossible for U.S. employers to hire high-skilled foreign nationals or sponsor them for permanent residency.
Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective Oct. 19, 2020
Changes from USCIS continue at a rapid pace and without adequate warning. Today, USCIS announced that the increase in premium processing fee (as required by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. No. 116-159) signed into law on Oct. 1st will take effect on Oct. 19th.
DHS and DOL to Publish Interim Final Rules on H-1Bs and Prevailing Wages
On October 8th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are set to publish two interim final rules impacting the H-1B program and the prevailing wage system.
Updates for Week of September 28th: Floodgate Opens for I-485 Filings, Filing Fee Increase Halted, New H1B & PERM Regulations on the Horizon
The most significant development this week was the historic forward movement of the October 2020 Visa Bulletin, which opened up a floodgate for I-485 filings by applicants, many of whom have waited years to file.