H-1B Work Visa
H-1B Delays: AMA Raises Concerns
The American Medical Association (AMA), the largest association of physicians in the United States, wrote a public letter to the director of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) expressing concerns about the prolonged waiting period for H-1B visas. The USCIS move towards increased investigation of prevailing wages in the last few months created an enormous…
Read MoreUnderstanding your Approval Notice for Immigration Purposes
Although this may seem quite simple, many with Form I-797A Approval Notices have experienced confusion regarding the expiration of their period of approved stay; and rightfully so. Recently, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) began issuing approval notices with two different validity periods. Thus, the question remains: when does your period of stay…
Read MoreAdvance Parole for Canadian Citizens
Advance Parole for Canadian Citizens is an important topic for those who wish to travel internationally while their U.S. immigration application is pending. Leaving the United States, even for a brief period of time, can be extremely complicated for foreign nationals. This risk increases if an individual wishes to leave the United States while an…
Read MoreThreats to Non-Immigrant Workers: USCIS Gains Deportation Referral Power
Recently, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) released a policy memo endowing every adjudicating officer, and all USCIS employees, the power to issue a notice to appear, or NTA. With this policy change, USCIS employees may now initiate the removal and deportation of an individual that does not maintain lawful presence. Background Although…
Read MoreCanada Wins Big: 200% Rise in Permanent Residence Invites for Indian Citizens
The Government of Canada recently issued the Express Entry Year-end Report 2017, outlining huge spikes in legal immigration to the country. The report, which highlights data collected through the country’s application management system for key economic immigration programs, expresses drastic changes in levels of foreign nationals admitted for residency in Canada. After a year and…
Read MoreH-1B FY17 Report: IT Positions Ranked at Top
Each year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) releases an annual report outlining the major trends in the specialty occupation program. The report gathers data for the last fiscal year and analyzes major trends in comparison to previous years. The fiscal year 2017 report, which covers from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2018,…
Read MoreFOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Requests Now Online
On May 30th, USCIS announced the launch of an online processing system, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST). The online platform will allow users to submit, manage, accept FOIA requests online. Previously, such requests only were processed through mail, fax, and email; documents were then transferred via mailed compact disc. USCIS…
Read MoreDealing with a DUI/DWI: Revocation of Status
An arrest or conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) may mean big problem for those in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa. Once a U.S. consulate receives notice of the conviction of an alien for a DUI or DWI offense, consular officers will revoke the visa foil or…
Read MoreIT Companies Sue USCIS (H-1B 3rd Party Policy)
On May 1st, a group of Informational Technology (IT) companies filed a lawsuit against the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) over a policy memo released in February. The group argues that the new scrutiny towards 3rd party placement of H-1B employees effectively prohibits smaller firms from participating in the H-1B program. The Memo The…
Read MoreUSCIS & DOJ Partner to Protect U.S. Workers
Early this month, a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) was released to the public. The memo announces new measures between the two agencies to increase information exchange to achieve the mutual goal of protecting U.S. workers. Together, the agencies aim to adhere…
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