USCIS Issues Naturalization Fact Sheet
On January 21, 2011, USCIS issued a revised naturalization fact sheet. The fact sheet provides the general requirements for naturalization. The fact sheet also provides interesting naturalization statistics: Naturalization Statistics Each year, USCIS welcomes approximately 680,000 citizens during naturalization ceremonies across the United States and around the world. In FY 2009, 74 percent of all […]
USCIS Issues Final Guidance Regarding Certain EB-1 & EB-2 Petitions
The memorandum provided USCIS field adjudicators guidance on EB-1 petitions for Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, EB-1 petitions for outstanding professors or researchers, and EB-2 aliens of exceptional ability. The memorandum makes final interim regulation issued in August 2010. In the memorandum, USCIS expressly adopts the standards set out in Kazarian v. USCIS, 596 F.4d 1115 […]
USCIS Reaffirms Only VSC Can Revoke VAWA
On December 15, 2011, USCIS issued a final policy memorandum reaffirming that only the Vermont Service Center has authority to revoke VAWA self-petitions. The memorandum reemphasizes a 2002 memorandum stating that district offices did not have the authority to revoke VAWA self-petitions. The memorandum has been added to the Adjudicator’s Field Manual Chapter 21.14 (z). […]
ICE Issues Guidance to Former Tri-Valley University Students
The California based educational institution was closed after an immigration raid on January 19, 2011 and charges of immigration fraud. The university and its founder are alleged to have operated a sham university meant to allow foreign nationals to acquire student visas and live in the United States. SEVP administers the United States student visa […]
H-1B Numbers for FY 2011 Exhausted
Applications received on or before January 26, 2011 will be subject to a computer-generated random selection process. Applications that are not selected under the process will be rejected and returned with the accompanying application fee. An annual quota exists on H-1B petitions. 65,000 cap subject H-1B visas are available each fiscal year. The fiscal year […]
USCIS Announces New Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Programs
Nationals from the following countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs: Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Nauru, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Papua […]
H-1B Guide for Employees Required to Hire Immigration Counsel
Many foreign nationals are required by their U.S. employers to hire and pay for their own H-1B immigration lawyers. This guide is meant to help employees understand the process of seeking an H-1B lawyer and also explain the duties and obligations of the employer. For a very basic outline of the H-1B process, please visit […]
Recommended Timeline for FY 2012 H-1B Filings
Below is a suggested timeline for employers interested in bringing on new employees under the H-1B Specialty Occupation Program. The filing period for H-1B petitions with a start date of October 1, 2011 begins on April 1, 2011. The timeline is to help employers and new employees make a smooth transition into the H-1B program. […]
A Guide for University Graduates: Moving From OPT to H-1B Status
The transition from student life to work life can be daunting, especially if you are an international student. Foreign nationals graduating from American universities need to understand the complexities of United States immigration law when moving from school to work. This guide is meant to give individuals working on OPT status a general understanding about […]
Basic H-1B Fact Sheet
The process of hiring foreign workers can be long and complicated. This fact sheet provides a general outline to employers who are thinking about hiring foreign workers under the H-1B Specialty Occupation Program. About the H-1B program The H-1B program allows United States employers to hire foreign national workers to work in specialty occupations. A […]