Tag Archive
United States: USCIS Unveils Enhancements to Website, Online Case Status System
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced several new features to its website and online case status system. Among the new features is an online e-Request tool that allows individuals who have filed a Form I-90 application to replace a permanent residence card or an N-400 application for naturalization to send an inquiry if... »
United States: USCIS Unveils Tool to Verify Immigration Petitioners
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon launch a pilot program that will use Dun & Bradstreet databases to verify the business information of employers who submit immigration petitions, the agency announced to stakeholders on Thursday. A new electronic tool – the Verification Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) – is intended to help... »
United States: USCIS Posts Initial H-1B Cap Count
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published its first count of Fiscal Year 2011 H-1B cap filings. As of April 8, 2010, USCIS had received 13,500 petitions against the 65,000 standard quota and 5,600 petitions towards the 20,000 cap exemption for foreign nationals holding U.S. advanced degrees, for a total of 19,100... »
United States: USCIS Announces Upcoming Changes to E-Verify
In the coming months, E-Verify employers can expect to see changes to the online verification system, including additional government monitoring to ensure compliance with program rules and new measures to combat identity fraud and employment discrimination. »
United States – Some Employers Report Petition Revocation Notices after USCIS Site Visits
Some employers have reported receiving U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notices of intent to revoke an immigration petition and requests for additional information after the agency has conducted a worksite visit to verify the facts stated in a petition. So far, the notices are not widespread, but could become more common as the site... »
USCIS Proposes Significant Revision of Nonimmigrant Worker Petition
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing a significant revision of Form I-129, the nonimmigrant worker petition, that would require employers to make declarations about the third-party placement of foreign workers and about compliance with federal export control laws, among other changes. »
United States USCIS Will Not Implement New Signature Policy Until After H-1B Filing Season Opens
In a meeting with immigration stakeholders held today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials confirmed that a revised policy memorandum regulating the use of powers of attorney would not take effect without notice, and would not be implemented prior to the start of H-1B filing season on April 1, 2010. »
United States: USCIS, Immigration Community Respond to the Haiti Earthquake
USCIS has implemented a range of humanitarian programs to provide immigration options to Haitian nationals. These include: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for qualifying Haitian nationals in the United States. TPS will confer to qualifying Haitian nationals work authorization and protection against deportation for up to 18 months. The Haiti TPS application period started January 21... »
United States: New USCIS Guidance Imposes Enhanced H-1B Evidence Requirements and Eligibility Standards
Under new guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, H-1B petitioners will need to demonstrate that they have the right to control the foreign beneficiary’s work. This means that petitioners will have to provide extensive documentation of their employer-employee relationship with H-1B beneficiaries and may see stricter agency adjudications where the necessary relationship and... »
United States: USCIS Will Temporarily Accept H-1B Petitions Without Certified LCAs
Through March 4, 2010, employers will be able to submit H-1B petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services without a certified labor condition application (LCA), as long as an LCA was filed with the Department of Labor at least seven calendar days before the H-1B petition is filed. »