In September 2014, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated fourteen ports of entry (POEs) for optimized processing of first-time Canadian applicants for admission in the TN or L-1 categories. While eligible applicants are not required to use these particular POEs, the CBP is encouraging...
The Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) 2014 Annual Report was submitted to Congress on June 27, 2014. The report details various deficiencies found within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), according to the Ombudsman's office, including problems with H1B and L-1 processing...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hosted a teleconference on April 24, 2014, to discuss the coming expansion of the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) to include certain L1A petitions. The ASVVP program, which began in July 2009, is designed to verify...
The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) recently released a study that documents and analyzes the dramatic increase in the percentage of L1B petitions denied by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in recent years. The NFAP finds that the situation is even worse...
As explained in Part 1 of this article, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a report with its findings and recommendations regarding the L-1 intracompany transferee program. Part 1 discussed the OIG's findings of inconsistencies in adjudications. This second...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report analyzing the current state of the L-1, intracompany transferee program. The report, entitled Implementation of L-1 Visa Regulations, addresses perceived problems with the processing of L-1 cases, and provides suggestions to make...
Under the L-1 category, certain types of employees of multinational corporations may be transferred to related companies in the United States. The L-1 classification is divided into two subcategories: the L1A classification, which is reserved for managers and executives; and the L1B, which is designated...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to discontinue the availability of the Legacy INS online filing option for the application to extend / change nonimmigrant status (form I-539). This change will be effective as of February 28, 2013. Those who wish to file...
The U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, India recently announced the expansion of the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) for certain visa applicants in India. The expanded program now includes H1B and L-1 visa applicants as well as certain students, provided that they meet specific requirements. Details regarding...
Attorney Sheela Murthy travels to India periodically to meet with U.S. consular officials on behalf of the Murthy Law Firm and our clients. Her next visit is in October 2012. Ms. Murthy currently has availability during this trip for representation of a limited group of...
