Immigration
As many of you know, the H-1B process has become a lottery. For the past several years, USCIS has received more applications with the first week of availability (First week of April) than they have H-1B visas. This means that they take all applications received and randomly select enough to
Visas
Below is the update on visa number availability as reflected in the lated February 2014 Visa Bulletin. EB-2 China has moved forward to January 8. 2009 (a one month move) while India has stayed at November 15, 2004. The worldwide availability is still current. As stated before, it is doubtful
Immigration
Being sponsored by an employer for a green card is prospective in nature. What this means is that the future employer and employee are attesting that they have the intent to enter into the employer-employee relationship UPON approval of the I-485 (or upon receiving the immigrant visa and entering the
Family Preference
The January 2014 Visa Bulletin was recently released by USCIS last week. Perhaps the most notable movement was for the worldwide EB-3 and China and Mexico EB3 numbers. In all three of those cases, the priority date moved up almost 1 year to April 1, 2012. The Philippines moved forward
Immigration
The PERM process is not a short process even in the best of times. It usually takes several months to put together and file. There is a mandatory 60 day advertising and recruitment period. Prior to that, you need to determine the job description and file and receive back the
Immigration
Members of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association met with Charles Oppenheim to discuss the upcoming December Visa Bulletin and, especially, the large backlogs for India. Mr. Oppenheim provided the following updated information regarding immigrant visa usage for this fiscal year (October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014). Please
Immigration
The Department of State recently released its December Visa Bulletin which updated the priority date listings for immigrant visa categories and also provided some guidance as to future movement of these dates. In addition, Mr. Oppenheim, who is in charge of immigrant visa numbers and the visa bulletin for the
Immigration
Now that the government shutdown has happened I would like to update everyone as to what is happening with US agencies that deal with immigration: 1. USCIS - they are up and running as normal EXCEPT for the e-verify system. E-Verify is NOT working, and USCIS has already issued a
Immigration
With the current economic talks stalledand a potential shutdow n as early as next week many people want to know what does this mean for immigration services? For those dealing with USCIS in the US, the answer is easy, nothing. USCIS is funded through user fees (i.e. the fees
Immigration
This topic has come up with several of our clients recently, those wanting to hire people not in the US, thosecurrently in the US who needed to leave because of a lost job or because they wanted to take ashort-term job opportunity, and those who were in their own country
Immigration
We are asked quite frequently by individuals, and especially companies, whether the documents and statements they are giving to USCIS in support of visa applications are "confidential" or can anyone request and receive a copy of such papers. The answer is complex, and involves the interplay of two
Uncategorized
Today USCIS is implementing its new customer verification program at all local offices. Customers will now submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit. In this way, USCIS is looking to combat fraud and improve its