USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of May 21, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 19,600 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of only 600). Similarly, as of May 21, there were 8,200 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters [...]
DHS Secretary Napolitano announced earlier this week that as of late this summer, the paper Form I-94W (arrival/departure record) for authorized travelers from nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will be eliminated. Instead, the arrival/departure information will be stored electronically. After a successful 7-month trial conducted with VWP travelers from New Zealand on [...]
The Department of State (DOS) issued an advance copy of the interim final rule on the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates. The notice was published today at the Federal Register. According to the notice, the new rule will become effective on June 4, 2010 (15 days [...]
The political climate here in Washington, DC changes very quickly. We wrote recently about some broad conceptual proposals for comprehensive immigration reform, followed by our reports of President Obama's remarks that he does feel that the time is ripe for immigration reform. However, some congressmen are pushing an immigration reform proposals forward. A recent proposal [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of May 14, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 19,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of 1,000). Similarly, as of May 14, there were 8,100 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap [...]
Starting December 2009, USCIS started implementing changes on the way I-131 reentry permit applications are receipted and processed. Previously, I-131 reentry permit applications were filed directly at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) which issued receipts and, where appropriate, issued expedited processing biometrics notices. The NSC processing of expedited processing reentry permit biometrics allowed us to [...]
In addition to the numerous inquiries on filing a new I-140 when a previous I-140 is pending on appeal, our office handles a number of such new I-140 filings. Pursuant to USCIS guidance, a previously approved labor certification which was timely used to file an I-140 can, in many circumstances, be subsequently used to file [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of May 6, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 18,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of 1,500). Similarly, as of May 6, there were 7,600 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap [...]
USCIS has announced that effective Tuesday, May 11, 2010, it would issue redesigned U.S. Permanent Resident Cards (also known as "green cards.") The redesign is mainly driven to incorporate new security features to deter counterfeiting, tempering and document fraud, generally. Features of the Redesigned Green Card Among the main features of the redesign: secure optical [...]
Last week we discussed the recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on unauthorized aliens. Today, we discuss the companion CRS report, analyzing the permanent residency admissions to the U.S. Both reports are helpful in providing some current information on the state of the U.S. immigration system and on the conflicting priorities which are likely to [...]