Yesterday, May 8, 2013, the Congressional Budget Office ("CBO") released an updated report to Congress analyzing the current immigration population in the United States. The report is interesting not only in the context of the ongoing debate on the proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) bill which is currently in Congress but also to get a [...]
One of the most popular U.S. work visas, the H-1B, will start accepting filings for new H-1B employment on April 1. Pursuant to each yearly H-1B quota, new H-1B filings can be filed on April 1, at the earliest, for a starting date of employment on or after October 1. The H-1B Quota and [...]
One of the most popular U.S. work visas, the H-1B, will start accepting filings for new H-1B employment on April 2. Pursuant to each yearly H-1B quota, new H-1B filings can be filed on April 1 (April 2nd this year because April 1st is a Sunday), at the earliest, for a starting date of employment [...]
There has been a considerable amount of discussion, excitement and, unfortunately, some incorrect rumors over the past few weeks regarding possible changes to the way employment-based immigrant visas are allocated. Our office has been receiving many requests to comment on and speculate on what may happen with the proposed legislation. To avoid fueling rumors, we [...]
One of the most popular U.S. work visas, the H-1B, will start accepting filings for new H-1B employment on April 1, in exactly one week. Pursuant to each yearly H-1B quota, new H-1B filings can be filed on April 1, at the earliest, for a starting date of employment on or after October 1. The [...]
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a January 2011 report on the H-1B program. The GAO has produced a a comprehensive, 118-page, report which is intended to provide guidance to Congress with respect to amending or tweaking parts of the H-1B program. The conclusion of the report is that certain reforms are needed for [...]
Many of our readers and clients are aware of the recent developments with respect to the "border security bill" passed by Congress and recently signed by President Obama into law (Public Law 111-230). What Are the New H-1B and L-1 Filing Fees? Effective immediately, Public Law 111-230 requires the submission of an additional fee of [...]
Each year, the Department of Homeland Security is required by law to provide to Congress a report on the characteristics of the H-1B specialty occupation workers. The report for fiscal year 2009 (FY2009) which covers October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009 was released recently. The report is interesting because it covers partially the period [...]
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 [...]
We wrote in September about the gap in expected revenue by USCIS following the filing fee increase of Summer 2007. We noted that the agency has a $282 million shortfall in expected revenues. As a result of the announced 2007 fee increase, USCIS saw a surge in applications and hiring in 2007, ahead of a hefty [...]