H1B Cap Lottery Update for FY19
On April 6, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the H1B cap for fiscal year 2019 (FY19) was reached. The USCIS then completed the H1B lottery selection process on...
View ArticleDOS Proposal to Obtain Visa Applicants’ Social Media Information
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is proposing a number of changes to both the online application for a nonimmigrant visa (form DS-160) and the electronic application for an immigrant (form DS-260)....
View ArticleCurrent Administration & Immigration
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View ArticleTrump Administration Creates Quota System for Immigration Judges
The Trump Administration recently announced that a quota system will be incorporated into the individual performance evaluations for all immigration judges to require them to process cases more...
View ArticleE-Verify Compliance Branch Now Requesting Form I-9 During Desk Reviews
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that when its E-Verify Monitoring and Compliance (M&C) branch conducts a desk review, the employer will be asked to provide...
View ArticleUSCIS Launches Pilot Processing Time Website
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently launched a pilot website to test a redesign of its processing time website, which now displays the data for all forms in an easier-to-read...
View ArticleDo I Qualify for EB1?
It is not unusual for a foreign national to be sponsored for an employment-based, third preference (EB3) position, and to later “upgrade” to an employment-based, second preference (EB2) position in a...
View ArticleTrump Administration to End TPS for Nepal, Effective June 24, 2019
On April 26, 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the temporary protected status (TPS) designation for certain nationals of Nepal will be terminated as of June 24, 2019....
View ArticleUSCIS Changes Position on Third-Party Placement of STEM OPT Workers
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its STEM OPT webpage to reflect an apparent change in the agency’s interpretation of the 2016 STEM optional practical training (OPT)...
View ArticleMay 2018 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Short-Term Predictions
Most months, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, Charles Oppenheim, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. For the May 2018 Visa Bulletin,...
View ArticleP-3 Visa for Culturally Unique Artists and Entertainers
There are a number of different visa options available to artists and entertainers seeking to perform in the United States. The P-3 visa is available to both groups and individuals “for the purpose of...
View ArticleAAO on “One-in-Three” Rule for EB1(c) Multinational Managers / Executives
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) decision in Matter of S-P-, Inc. In adopting this decision, the USCIS also issued a policy...
View ArticleJune 2018 Visa Bulletin: Almost No Movement of Cutoff Dates
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the June 2018 Visa Bulletin. As expected, there is virtually no movement in any of the employment-based categories. Cutoff Dates Virtually Unchanged In the...
View ArticleUpdated Rulemaking Agenda Again Lays Out Trump’s Harsh Plans for Foreign...
At the end of 2017, MurthyDotCom summarized a number of concerning immigration regulations under consideration by the Trump Administration in the NewsBrief, Troubling Immigration Rules, Including End...
View ArticleNewsFlash! F, J, and M Nonimmigrants to be Subject to New Unlawful Presence...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum today that will dramatically expand the manners in which those in F, J, and M status may begin accruing unlawful...
View ArticleCurrent Administration & Immigration
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View ArticleNew E-Verify Website and Features Added to E-Verify System
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has added a number new features to the E-Verify system, designed to improve the user experience, reduce errors, and increase the speed and accuracy...
View ArticleUSCIS Completes Data Entry Process for H1B Petitions Selected in FY19 Lottery
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on May 15, 2018 that the data entry process has been completed for all cases selected in the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) H1B lottery. The...
View ArticleAnalysis of USCIS Memo on Unlawful Presence for F, J, and M Nonimmigrants
On May 11, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that will substantially change the rules regarding unlawful presence (ULP) as they apply to those in...
View ArticleJune 2018 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Possible Advancement for EB2 and EB3 India
Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions most months. For June 2018, Mr. Oppenheim...
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