Headlines: 1. H-1B Petitions Drop Precipitously – H-1B petition filings as of April have dropped substantially since the same time in previous recent years. 2. USCIS Issues Memo on Procedures for Revocation of a U.S. Passport – The memo provides background and outlines statutes under which U.S. passports may be revoked by the Department of […]
Headlines: 1. Feds Crack Down on Employers – In recent actions, the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC, is investigating Chipotle Mexican Grill about hiring undocumented workers at its 1,092 restaurants; owners of another establishment were arrested for violations related to employing undocumented workers and not paying taxes on them. 2. […]
Headlines: 1. DOS Reports on Employment-Based Visa Demand; First Preference ‘Extremely Low’ – Demand in the employment first preference is extremely low; it also appears unlikely that a second preference cut-off date will be imposed for any countries other than China and India, where demand is extremely high. 2. Case Updates: El Badrawi; Arizona – […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Releases Data at Stakeholders Meeting: EB-5 Visa Usage, RC Filings High – USCIS is on track to approve a record number of EB-5 visas; Regional Center filings in the first quarter of FY 2011 have already exceeded those for all of FY 2010. 2. USCIS Releases Executive Summary of December 2010 EB-5 […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Begins Accepting H-1B Petitions – As of April 1, 2011, USCIS has begun accepting H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2012 cap of 65,000. 2. USCIS Launches E-Verify Self Check – This new voluntary service enables individuals to check their own employment eligibility status at no charge. 3. New Validation Instrument for […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on March 11, 2011, the following relief for Japanese and other nationals from the Pacific stranded in the U.S. due to the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan: This advisory is for Japanese and other foreign nationals from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes […]
Currently, employees living away from home to perform their employment duties in Australia may be eligible for tax-free benefits for reasonable housing and food costs under the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) rules. Changes have been proposed to start on July 1, 2011, to address the perceived abuse of these LAFHA tax concessions. As […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Proposes Rule on Registration Requirement for H-1B Petitioners – The rule, which would not take effect until next year, proposes to require employers seeking to petition for H-1B cap-subject workers to first file electronic registrations during a designated registration period. 2. USCIS Announces Relief for Japanese, Pacific Nationals Stranded in U.S. Following […]
On March 10, H. Ronald Klasko was interviewed by World Business Satellite on the EB-5 Visa program. The show aired nationwide in Japan on TV Tokyo and covered many aspects of how foreign capital is being used to fund U.S. real estate projects including the Jay Peak Ski Resort. Chairman of the EB-5 Investor Committee of the […]
Headlines: 1. Mayorkas Discusses USCIS Goals for 2011; VIBE System Introduced – The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers recommends that clients check their profile and make sure that the major areas are correct to avoid requests for evidence in the future. 2. E-Verify Self-Check Going Live in March – The self-check process is voluntary and […]