FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 19,600 Regular and 8,200 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 21, 2010)

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 cap which has 20,000 limit (a weekly increase of only 100).

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Paper Form I-94W Eliminated for Visa Waiver Travelers

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.

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DOS Announces Increased Visa Stamp Application Fees

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.

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Analysis of “REPAIR” Immigration Reform Proposal

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.

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FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 19,000 Regular and 8,100 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 14, 2010)

Read more on FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 19,000 Regular and 8,100 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 14, 2010)…

USCIS Lockbox Procedure Adds to Expedited Reentry Permit Processing Time

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.

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Filing a New I-140 When Another I-140 Is Pending on Appeal

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 a new I-140 if the initial I-140 was denied.   Many initial I-140 denials are appealed with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO); in such cases, the issue becomes whether the petitioner can file a new I-140 while the initial I-140 is pending on appeal.

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FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 18,000 Regular and 7,600 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 6, 2010)

Read more on FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 18,000 Regular and 7,600 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 6, 2010)…

AC21 Green Card Process Porting: How Similar Should the Jobs Be?

In connection with the 2007 adjustment of status (I-485) filing “blizzard” and due to the fact that there are many I-485 applicants who are hoping to switch jobs, our office has handled numerous AC21 green card porting cases.   One of the most frequent questions we receive is whether a new proposed job position is “same or similar” for purposes of complying with AC21 and meeting its requirements.

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USCIS to Issue Redesigned U.S. Green Cards

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.

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