News Updates

Reminder, New I-9 Form Required May 1, 2020

21:50 01 May in News Updates by Larrabee

Reminder: Use of New I-9 Form Now Required I-9 Version dated 10/21/2019 Now Required Effective today, May 1, 2020, employers must use the newest version (dated 10/21/2019) of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification for all new hires, and for Section 3 re-verifications of existing employees. The grace period for use of the prior version dated 7/17/2017 has ended. The edition date can be found on the lower left corner of the form. Updated M-274 "Handbook for Employers - Guidance for Completing Form I-9" On April 27, 2020, USCIS released an updated M-274, Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9. The M-274 Handbook for Employers provides official guidance...

USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4

20:10 24 April in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4 On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Today USCIS announced it is readying offices to reopen to the public on or after June 4. Adjustment Interviews and Naturalization Ceremonies: USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary closure. Affirmative Asylum Cases: USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is...

Executive Order Temporarily Suspending Entry of Immigrants

20:42 23 April in News Updates by Larrabee

Presidential Proclamation Temporarily Suspending Entry on Immigrant Visas for 60 Days Following a Tweet late Monday night indicating he would temporarily suspend immigration into the United States, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 President Trump issued an Executive Order: Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak. The proclamation will become effective on Thursday, April 23,2020 at 11:59 PM EDT and will be in effect for 60 days, until June 22, 2020 at 11:59 PM EDT. Within 50 days,the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor shall recommend...

USCIS Announces Delay in Data Entry and Receipt Notice Generation for FY 2021 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

16:32 14 April in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS has announced that petitioners should expect a delay in data entry and receipt notice generation for fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions until at least May 1, 2020, due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Due to delayed data entry and notice generation, there will be a general delay in processing FY 2021 cap-subject petitions. USCIS is mindful of petitions with sensitive expiration and start dates, such as cap-gap petitions, and will strive to process these petitions as efficiently as possible. USCIS has asked petitioners to wait to inquire about the status of their cap-subject petitions until they...

Temporary Closure of USCIS Offices Extended through May 3rd

22:23 01 April in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least May 3 USCIS has announced it is extending the suspension of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers through at least May 3. The temporary closure initially took effect on March 18 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and was due to last until at least April 1. Today USCIS announced the temporary closure will continue through at least May 3. Please note that USCIS adjudications of all case types continue under regular processing. Premium processing has been suspended until further notice. Any clients who need assistance, please contact...

H-1B Registration Selection Process Completed for FY2021 H-1B Cap – Notifications to Begin 3/31

20:45 27 March in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS has announced it has received enough registrations to reach the FY2021 H-1B Cap or annual quota. Accordingly, USCIS conducted the lottery to select which registrants could proceed to filing of an H-1B petition. LAC will obtain the registration status and notify the employer/ petitioner and employee/ beneficiary on Tuesday, March 31st, or as soon as the registration status is available from USCIS. We wish everyone well during these challenging times and remain available to assist with the H-1B process and all other matters as needed. The Team at Larrabee Albi Coker LLP ________________________________________________________________________ H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed USCIS Press...

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Issues Guidance to Employers regarding I-9 Completion during COVID-19 Shutdowns

21:07 20 March in News Updates by Larrabee

Summary: Employers must complete Form I-9, but are excused from physically reviewing original documents and may review documents for completion of Sections 2 or 3 remotely (over video-link, fax, or email) Employers must obtain copies of documents within the normal 3 business days Employers must enter "COVID-19" as the reason for the physical inspection delay in Sections 2 or 3 Original documents must be physically inspected within 3 business days of the date normal operations resume Once the documents have been physically inspected, the employer should add "documents physically examined" with the date of inspection to the Section 2 additional...

USCIS TO SUSPEND PREMIUM PROCESSING FOR ALL I-129 and I-140 PETITIONS

21:04 20 March in News Updates by Larrabee

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). When does the suspension take effect? Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any new requests for premium processing. USCIS will process any petition with a previously accepted premium processing request. Petitioners who have already filed a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, or Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, using the premium processing service and who receive no agency action on their case within the 15-calendar-day period will...

LAC News Alert: USCIS Temporarily Closes All Offices in Response to COVID-19

18:51 18 March in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS has announced it is suspending in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers to help slow the spread of COVID -19. The temporary closure will be effective from Wednesday, March 18 until at least April 1. Any clients who need assistance, please contact your LAC attorney. We will continue to update you as additional information becomes available. The Team at Larrabee Albi Coker LLP of Public Affairs USCIS Temporary Office Closure To protect our workforce and to help mitigate the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in our communities, effective immediately, USCIS is suspending all routine face-to-face services with applicants...

LAC Notice to Visitors re: COVID-19

22:46 12 March in News Updates by Larrabee

Please know that you are a valued guest. Your health and safety, as well as that of our employees, is a priority. In support of public health recommendations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we ask that all individuals refrain from visiting the office if they have traveled or been in close contact with anyone who has traveled within the last 14 days to areas identified as high risk by government health authorities. We also respectfully request that anyone who has been exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, or anyone with cold or flu symptoms, please refrain...