The nation (and particularly here in Washington, DC) is still abuzz with Senator Arlen Specter’s switch from Republican to Democrat (CNN news article). The political implications are important - the U.S. Senate’s balance of power will be 59 in favor of the Democrats. Filibuster Proof Majority? With the very likely possibility that when Al Franken becomes Minnesota’s [...]
We have written about the Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) program in the past. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a fact sheet which seeks to clarify some of the AVR provisions. We reprint it here in its entirety: Automatic Visa Revalidation Fact Sheet March 9, 2009 Pursuant to 22 CFR 4 1.1 12 and 8 CFR [...]
The National Conference of State Legislatures has released its 2009 Immigration-Related Bills and Resolutions in the States, dated as of April 22, 2009, and covering the first quarter of 2009. The report is interesting in that is compares the states’ immigration-related activity over the past few years and helps us draw some conclusions on where the [...]
We have experienced difficulty in obtaining case status information from the USCIS Online Status system - the difficulties are sometimes related to new cases not being timely reflected into the system or slow updates of case status on pending cases. We have also heard a number of complaints from clients and readers that they have [...]
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Monday, April 27, USCIS has received approximately 45,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap. USCIS will continue to accept petitions subject to the general cap. Additionally, USCIS has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees; however, [...]
Better late than never. The Capitol Immigration Law Group is now on Facebook. Join our page, become a fan, share with your friends, post comments or just browse our Facebook pages.
USCIS released updated information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of Tuesday, April 20, USCIS has received approximately 44,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap. USCIS will continue to accept petitions subject to the general cap. Additionally, USCIS has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees; however, [...]
The USCIS has provided an updated chart of its processing time goals and the current progress towards meeting these goals. The report also provides a very useful update on the current average processing times for certain petitions and the number of petitions in backlog status. The goals are intended to be met by the end of [...]
Due to the passage of Employ American Workers Act (EAWA), as part of the Stimulus Bill, USCIS is required to collect TARP (and Section 13 funding) information on each H-1B petitioner. However, by the time the new form became available, many practitioners had already completed their packages for the H-1B cap filing period for April [...]
The Vermont Service Center has issued some guidance on properly completing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The guidance is based on experience with improperly completed and filed Forms I-539. Ensure that the applicant and beneficiary names as entered in the form I-539 match the names as written in the passport; Provide a copy of biographical [...]