At the time of this writing, as a result of the shutdown of the federal government certain federal government services have been temporarily reduced or closed down entirely. Immigration is primarily a federal function. However, whether and how immigration services will be impacted by the...
The I-94 Admissions Record provides nonimmigrants with proof that they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. I-94s are issued or generated upon admission to the U.S.-- either electronically for travelers entering the U.S. by air or sea; or on paper for those entering by land. ...
Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Martorell and Ms. Mullane joined the firm's partnership team. Each has been with the firm for over a decade, and they have made significant and valuable contributions to the firm and its clients over their years of service. We are...
FY2019 H-1B CAP FILINGS Trump Administration Proposes Changes in H-1B Lottery Procedures The filing window for H-1B petitions seeking a FY2019 (10/1/18 to 9/30/19) cap or quota number will open on Monday, April 2, 2018. That will be the first day USCIS will accept H-1B petitions for the...
USCIS DENIES IT WAS CONSIDERING CHANGES TO 7TH YEAR H-1B EXTENSION RULES As we advised on Friday the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was reportedly considering new regulations that would limit the ability of certain H-1B workers in the green card process to obtain an extension of their H-1B status beyond the...
2018 Rings in Increases in Federal Immigration Audits and New Requirements for California Employers Increase in worksite immigration audits; sanctions against employers anticipated In October 2017 Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Thomas Homan announced the agency's plan to increase worksite immigration enforcement actions (I-9 Employment...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly considering new regulations that would limit the ability of H-1B workers who are in the lawful permanent residence (LPR) process to obtain an extension of their H-1B status beyond the usual six-year limit of authorized stay. The reported proposal, which arises from President Trump's "Buy American,...
The Future of H-4 EADs Part II Back in April 2017, we first addressed the future of H-4 EADs. Below is an updated overview of the current status. Ongoing Litigation The litigation, Save Jobs USA v. DHS, initiated in April 2015 challenging the legality of the H-4 EAD regulation...
Immigration Consequences of Marijuana Use for Green Card Holders and Nonimmigrants As has been well-publicized, January 1, 2018 marked the initiation of the lawful retail sale of marijuana for recreational use in California. Business has been booming and is expected to continue: sales are projected to bring...
UPDATES ON THE TRAVEL BAN While the legal challenges to President Trump's September 24, 2017 Presidential Proclamation ("Travel Ban") continue, on December 2, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the injunctions on the Travel Ban's implementation and allowed it to be fully implemented. The Travel Ban imposes...
