USCIS Lawsuit: H-1B Visa Duration
A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, ITServe Alliance v. USCIS, aims to limit the discretionary powers of the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) in limiting the approved duration of H-1B visas. ITServe Alliance, the largest association of information technology “IT” Services, Staffing, Consulting organizations, filed…
Read MoreInternational Students on CPT & OPT Denied H-1B Visas
Under new guideline interpretations, many former international students have received denials for H-1B benefits from the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS). According to some reports, F-1 students who have completed work in their field for more than 12 months while earning a degree and in the one-year period following graduation, may be ineligible…
Read MoreCalifornia Representative Attempts to Save H-4 EAD Program (H-1B)
As previously reported, the work authorization (H-4 EAD) program that allows the spouses of H-1B visa beneficiaries to find work while in the United States with their family is set to end under the Trump Administration. However, two California Congresswomen are gearing up to fight for the continuation of the Obama-era H-4 EAD program. H-4…
Read MoreProposed H-1B Lottery Changes: Winners and Losers
As news continues to circulate about the proposed pre-registration process for the H-1B visa lottery, the Trump Administration has hinted on a new prioritization strategy for H-1B beneficiaries with master’s degrees and higher. Thus, the April 2019 lottery could see a pre-registration process that skews greatly towards those with advanced degrees, especially for individuals with…
Read MoreDigital Border Search by CBP under Federal Scrutiny
Last month, a federal suit brought forth new questions surrounding individual property rights at the U.S. border. Two months ago, an American woman filed a federal suit against the Department of Homeland Security after Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents seized her smartphone upon return to the United States and made copies of the data…
Read MoreA Failed H-1B Visa Fraud and Abuse Hunt: USCIS Referrals Low
Following the executive order “Buy American, Hire American: Put Americans First”, USCIS began a new initiative to crack down on H-1B fraud and abuse. According to Bloomberg Law, the hunt for individuals and companies that abuse the H-1B program has proven largely unsuccessful. Increased Site Visits Prior to President Trump’s executive order, H-1B petitioners were…
Read MoreEnd of Self-Scheduled InfoPass: USCIS Expands the Information Services Modernization Program
Later this month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is set to expand online modernization initiatives to six new field offices, including the Detroit Field Office and several offices in the L.A. district. The modernization program, which is set to reach districts on the east coast and in the Midwest next year, should…
Read MoreTrump Memo Put Congressional Case Assistance at Risk: Immigration Assistance
Many applicants for immigration benefits have found themselves in the office of their local congressperson. By seeking assistance from a local member of Congress, either a senator or representative, constituents with pending immigration cases can find an advocate within the federal government. With support from a Congressional office, those experiencing trouble with their immigration cases…
Read MoreUSCIS Policy Changes: Medical Examination Record Validity
USCIS has announced new changes for the validity period for the Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. The new regulation will require applicants to present a Form I-693 that was signed by an approved civil surgeon no more than 60 days before the submission of their immigration benefits application. According to USCIS,…
Read MoreUSCIS Aims to Slash Some Request for Fee Waiver
Recently, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) released a proposed revision to fee waivers offered to lower-income immigrants. For those currently living in the United States seeking to naturalize, this proposed change could place a significant financial burden on struggling families. Filed through the Federal Register, the proposed change is currently open for public…
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