News and Legal Articles
E-2 Small Business Visas: 20 Questions to Consider Before Applying
The E-2 visa is a great way for entrepreneurs — big and small — to start a business in the United States, provide jobs for U.S. workers, and move here with their family. This is a very useful visa category as — depending on one’s nationality — it can be a 5-year multiple-entry visa… Read More »
I’ve Received a Notice of Intent to Deny my Immigration Petition (“NOID”) from USCIS, now What?
You’ve submitted a benefit request to USCIS, and in response you’ve received a Notice of Intent to Deny (“NOID”). This is, obviously, worrying, and a well-considered response is needed. Here are seven things to keep in mind as you digest the news of receiving the NOID and plan for what’s next. First, relax and… Read More »
New USCIS Policy on Unlawful Presence Bar
On June 24, 2022 USCIS issued new policy guidance pertaining to the unlawful presence bar at Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §212(a)(9)(B). The new USCIS guidance states that “a noncitizen who again seeks admission more than 3 or 10 years after the relevant departure or removal, is not inadmissible under INA §212(a)(9)(B) even if… Read More »
EB-5 Regional Center Program Authorization Expected Shortly
Congress is expected to pass its Omnibus legislation this week or early next week, and with it, the reauthorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The U.S. House of Representatives is slated to vote on the legislation on Wednesday, March 9. If passed by the House, then the Senate will take up the legislation…. Read More »
State Department: Visas for Russian Nationals to be Processed in Warsaw
Geopolitical events and the Covid pandemic have all but eliminated the issuance of U.S. visas in Russia over the past 12 months. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow and two U.S. Consulates General in Russia (Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg) have limited staff, and are providing extremely curtailed consular services, focusing mostly on assisting U.S. citizens. As… Read More »
Supreme Court’s Decision in Niz-Chavez v. Garland may Provide Relief to some non-Citizens
The Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 29, 2021 that has resulted in some confusion and controversy for those in deportation or removal proceedings or with a deportation or removal order. However, it may create a possible relief for some non-citizens. The ruling states that for cases in which the immigration court issued… Read More »
Immigration Reform 2021 Takes one Small Step Forward
On August 24, 2021, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that includes support for legalization programs for TPS holders, DACA recipients, essential workers, as well as other eligible immigrants. The House resolution passage is a step towards the inclusion of immigration reform budget reconciliation package. In September of 2021, the Judiciary Committees… Read More »
New USCIS Rule States H-1Bs will not be Subject Wage-Based Selection Process
On January 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a final rule, “Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” which would have changed the process by which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects H-1B registrations for the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions (or H-1B petitions for… Read More »
H-1B Public Access File Compliance for Employers
As the 2021 H-1B preparation season is upon us, employers considering sponsoring H-1B workers are reminded of their Public Access File compliance obligations. Overview of Public Access File Requirement Department of Labor regulations state that all employers who are sponsoring an H-1B worker should maintain certain documents related to the worker in a Public… Read More »
Premium Processing Changes Take Effect – Additional Applications Eligible and Filing Fees to Increase
Authorization for Premium Processing for applications beyond I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) and I-140 (Petition for Immigrant Worker) was signed into law by the President on September 30, 2020. The President signed H.R. 8337 the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, which, among other provisions, will fund the government through December 11,… Read More »
