H1B cap filing season is nearly upon us, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) again will use the electronic registration system, which was first implemented in March 2020. Below are answers to several frequently asked questions sent by both foreign nationals and prospective...
On February 14, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that significantly improves the protections offered by the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Per the new guidance, in certain circumstances, CSPA age determinations may be based...
In applying for a PERM labor certification, the worksite generally must be listed. While this location was traditionally the employer's address, the increased use of virtual offices and remote work has complicated the analysis for determining the correct location to note while filing the PERM....
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended certain flexibilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic through 23.Mar.2023. The USCIS anticipates that this will be the final extension of these measures. Flexible Deadlines Applicable through 23.Mar.2023 Under the extension, applicants and petitioners will continue to have an...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the March 2023 Visa Bulletin. There is very little movement in the employment-based categories from the previous month. Worse still, in the visa bulletin, the DOS cautions that higher-than-expected demand in several categories may force additional retrogression...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a streamlined and expedited deferred action request process for a noncitizen worker who cooperates in a labor standards investigation after being a victim of, or witnesses to, labor violations. This program is the latest initiative forming...
Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for setting federal poverty guidelines, which are used to determine whether an individual or family qualifies for certain government benefits. These guidelines are important in the immigration context, particularly with respect to...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced it will significantly extend the validity period of a green card belonging to a conditional permanent resident (CPR), when the CPR files a petition to remove conditions on residence (form I-751) or a petition by investor...
Congress created the R-1 visa classification to allow religious organizations to bring different categories of religious workers from affiliated religious organizations overseas to staff organizations in the United States for a temporary period. A basic overview of the R-1 nonimmigrant visa category is provided here...
This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the H1B registration period for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) will start at noon Eastern Time (ET) on March 1, 2023, and end at noon ET on March 17, 2023. Background on Registration Process In order to...
