Immigration

Proposed Framework for EB-5 Reform – Headed for Omnibus in December?

October 24, 2017 | Blog | By Douglas Hauer

With all eyes in Washington focused on tax reform, let’s not forget that there is a hard deadline approaching to address funding of federal activities with the current continuing resolution (CR) set to expire soon. The CR has been in effect since the start of the current fiscal year on October 1 and runs through December 8.

Trump Administration Suggests Potential Cuts to Cultural Exchange Visas

August 29, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

The Trump Administration is evaluating potential reductions to U.S. cultural exchange programs that allow young people from across the world the opportunity to work temporarily in the US. The potential cuts would impact five programs that are part of the J-1 visa exchange visitor program.

U.S. Mission in Russia to Temporarily Suspend NIV Issuance

August 22, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

In a continuation of the diplomatic tit-for-tat with Russia, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced on Monday, August 21, 2017, that it would suspend issuance of nonimmigrant visas for eight days starting August 23rd. Nonimmigrant visa issuance will resume at the Embassy on September 1st, but will be suspended indefinitely at other posts in Russia.

The RAISE Act: A Flawed and Misguided Immigration Bill

August 3, 2017 | Blog | By Susan Cohen

On August 2, 2017 Republican Senators Tom Cotton (AR) and David Perdue (GA) unveiled an immigration bill titled The Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act (RAISE Act). While the stated purpose of this bill is to increase skilled immigration to the U.S. and protect the American workforce, it would do neither of these things.

Mintz Attorneys to Address National LGBT Bar Conference

August 2, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

Doug Hauer, Member, will be a featured panelist at the National LGBT Bar Association’s annual Lavender Law conference and career fair on August 2-4, 2017 in San Francisco.

Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions Once Again Eligible for Premium Processing

July 25, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

Effective immediately, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for select cap-exempt H-1B petitions. Cap-exempt petitioners who are eligible for premium processing can file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, along with the filing fee of $1,225.

Latest Supreme Court Decision on Travel Ban for Nationals of Iran, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia: Close Relatives are Now Exempt

July 24, 2017 | Blog | By Barbara Chin

This is a follow-up to the Supreme Court’s decision on June 26, 2017 which allowed the Trump Administration’s Travel Ban affecting nationals of the six designated Muslim-majority countries to be partially implemented until its hearing on the merits in the fall.

Additional 15,000 Visas for H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Workers for FY 2017

July 19, 2017 | Blog | By Barbara Chin

Effective upon publication by the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authorized the one-time issuance of an additional 15,000 H-2B visas for Temporary Nonagricultural Workers through September 30, 2017.

USCIS Revises Form I-9

July 19, 2017 | Blog | By Angel Feng

On July 17, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published another revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. It will be mandatory for employers to use this new version of the form commencing September 18, 2017.

Opportunity Foreclosed: The International Entrepreneur Parole Rule May Die Before it Gets Out of the Gate

July 13, 2017 | Blog | By Susan Cohen

The U.S. and worldwide entrepreneur community had been looking forward to July 17th with great anticipation. This was supposed to be the effective date of the new International Entrepreneur Parole immigration regulation.

USCIS Introduces Redesigned I-485 Application Forms

June 28, 2017 | Blog | By Maryanne Kline

On June 26, 2017, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a redesigned version of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This form is used in the final stage of the permanent residence, or “green card,” process for most applicants physically present in the United States.

U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Travel Ban

June 27, 2017 | Blog

On Monday, June 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a mixed decision in the “Travel Ban” litigation, relating to Presidential Executive Order 13780 (“EO”).

U.S. Supreme Court Tightens Criteria for Revoking Citizenship

June 23, 2017 | Blog | By Maryanne Kline

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that naturalized American citizens cannot be stripped of citizenship if a lie or omission in the application process was irrelevant to the government’s decision to approve the naturalization application in the first place.

I-94 Website Feature – CBP Now to Remind Travelers of Departure Date

June 7, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

On May 31st, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that they have published a new update on the I-94 website. CBP will remind travelers via e-mail of their officially recorded departure date from the United States.

TPS Extended for Haitians and Court of Appeals Upholds the Block of Second Travel Ban

May 26, 2017 | Blog | By Cassie Ramos

On May 24th, DHS Secretary John F. Kelly extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through January 22, 2018 for eligible nationals of Haiti and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti.

Employment-based Immigration: Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Compliance under a New Administration

May 17, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

On Wednesday, May 24, our very own Kevin McNamara, Jen Rubin, and Bill Coffman will lead a live seminar in our San Diego office designed for in-house counsel, immigration specialists, HR professionals, talent managers, and other internal stakeholders to review changes affecting the hiring and continued employment of foreign nationals

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Completes Data Entry of H-1B “Cap” Petitions

May 4, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

On May 3, 2017, USCIS announced that it has completed data entry of all H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the FY2018 lottery. We continue to receive receipt notices for selected petitions.

Trump Administration Restricts Privacy Rights for non U.S. Citizens

May 2, 2017 | Blog | By Kevin McNamara

In another example of increased restriction on the rights of non-U.S. Citizens, on Thursday, April 27, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a policy memorandum limiting the privacy rights of immigrants and foreign nationals under the Federal Privacy Act of 1974.

Immigration Webinar Series: I-9, E-Verify and Employment-based Immigration Compliance

April 28, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

Following our recent seminars on what to expect in the world of immigration law and compliance in 2017, we invite you to delve deeper into I-9 compliance, E-Verify compliance, and employment-based immigration compliance. During this three-part webinar series, we will aim to arm employers with best practices and tools regarding compliance in key areas of immigration law.

USCIS Reaches Statutory Limit of H-1B Cap Cases for Fiscal Year 2018

April 10, 2017 | Blog | By Kevin McNamara

USCIS announced on April 7, 2017, that it has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year (FY) 2018. USCIS also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap.

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