Posts
Notes and updates on immigration law.
DOL Announces Accommodations for Employers in Texas and Oklahoma
DOL’s OFLC has released a FAQ regarding the extent of its accommodations for employers in Texas and Oklahoma who were impacted by the recent weather disaster. Accommodations include, for example, deadline flexibility and guidance relating to unintended changes in worksite. Anyone in these states who has on-going cases relating to PERM, labor certification, prevailing wage…
ICE Announces Case Review Process
ICE announces the creation of case review process for those who believe their case was not properly considered under the current enforcement priorities. Details about the current enforcement priorities are shown below. Individuals requesting a detention case review should contact their local ERO field office for initial consideration. Upon request, cases will be further reviewed…
Avoid Common Errors During H-1B Registration
As we enter into the registration period (March 9, 2021 to March 25, 2021), it is important to note some of the common mistakes so that each beneficiary is properly registered. The company should be aware that there are three account types to choose from. Choose the correct one. Regardless of whether they have an…
Final Rule Creating a Wage-Based H-1B Lottery Delayed Until 12/31/2021
As we have previously reported, this final rule has been postponed in light of Biden’s efforts to postpone “midnight regulations” that signed by President Trump during the waning days of his administration. See our earlier posts: Final Rule on Creating Wage-Based Selection System for H-1B Cap-Subject Petition H-1B Lottery unlikely to be impacted by the…
Can TPS Recipients Apply for Adjustment of Status?
In order to pursue adjustment of status and become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), an applicant must in addition to meeting other requirements have been properly “inspected and admitted or paroled” into the United Sates. Otherwise, the applicant cannot apply for Green Card inside the U.S. A TPS recipient have lawful status in the U.S.…
H-1B注册抽签3月9日开始
美国移民局2022年度H-1B注册抽签将从3月9日开始，您和您的雇主准备好了吗？ H-1B签证一直是美国最重要的工作签证之一。H-1B签证允许从事专业职业 (specialty occupation) 的人员获得为期3年的工作签证并可续签至6年（如果符合条件，在AC21条款下可续签超过6年）。美国移民局（USCIS）每年按照法律限额规定批准85,000份申请，其中20,000份申请给与在美国获得硕士以上学位的受益人， 65,000份申请给在海外学校获得硕士以上学位和只具有学士学位的受益人。 每年递交H-1B签证的申请大大超过实际法律规定的额度，因此USCIS从2020年开始运用电子注册程序进行H-1B签证申请限额抽签。此程序允许受限额的H-1B申请者在提交全套申请之前先通过电子方式注册。USCIS用H-1B电子注册系统来抽签选录限额H-1B申请，雇主在注册申请获得抽签后再准备和提交H-1B申请。USCIS的电子注册程序是为了营造一个更有效率的H-1B申请程序。H-1B雇主必须为每一份申请进行电子注册，并支付$10的电子注册费。 2021年1月8日，美国国土安全部（DHS）发布了最终规则，提供了一个全新的H-B 注册抽签程序系统。与2020年H-B 电子注册和随机选择程序不同，新程序是根据雇主提供的工资水平来选择注册甄选。根据业内移民律师预估，如果USCIS实施新规，雇主提供 IV级和III级高薪的申请将可能全部获选， II级工资的申请将有可能75% 获选， I级工资的申请将很可能全部或大部分被淘汰。这种按照工资高低的甄选程序显而易见对大型和中型公司包括受益人有利，例如亚马逊，谷歌，苹果，微软等。反之，对那些只能提供I级工资的小公司包括受益人则极为不利。 2021年1月20日，美国第46届总统拜登宣誓就职。在拜登政府的紧急政策下，USCIS决定不实施最终规则，并继续沿用其2020年H-1B签证电子注册和抽签程序。H-1B雇主或其授权的律师必须在3月9日至3月25日期间完成注册程序，包括提供有关雇主和受益人的基本信息。注册期后USCIS将对电子注册的申请进行随机抽签选择。只有那些已经注册和被选中的申请才有资格在指定时间内向移民局递交完整的H-1B 申请。 濮阳联合律师事务所将继续有效帮助H-1B 雇主在USCIS限定的短时间内参与和完成H-1B电子注册程序，为受益人争取最大机会获得抽签选择并在限定时间内递交完整的H-1B 申请。3月9日迫在眉睫，您和您的雇主需要尽快做好准备，以便完成注册程序。 此文章并非个案分析。濮阳联合律师事务所每年代理诸多公司和受益人办理H-1B签证申请和后续职业移民绿卡申请。在不同类别申请程序中，事务所职业律师为客户做身份现状分析，提供量体裁衣的移民设计，全面解决疑难问题，为客户尽早和成功获得绿卡提供美国移民法律专业服务。 如果您需要咨询或聘请移民律师，请您及时联系濮阳联合律师事务所，我们将用我们的丰富专业知识和成功经验为您提供竭诚服务。我们相信客户选择代理律师需要考虑律师事务所的资质，成功率，诚信度，服务质量等。濮阳联合律师事务所是美国移民律师协会 (AILA) 和投资美国协会 (IIUSA) 的会员。事务所职业律师团队持有马里兰州，华盛顿特区和联邦马里兰地区法庭律师执照。事务所提供全方位的美国移民法律服务，包括各类别的职业移民，家庭移民，公民入籍，工作签证，非移民签证，以及移民法律咨询和家庭移民策划。事务所法律服务团队全体人员具有高等学历能提供流利的双语服务（英文，中文和西班牙文）。事务所具有良好信誉和优秀口碑。事务所全体人员确信我们有丰富经验和高度责任心向客户提供优质专业移民法律服务，竭诚为客户争取最大移民利益。
USCIS Receipt Delays and Its Impact on Employment Verification
As we have been posting recently, USCIS is experiencing record delays in issuing receipt notices of various applications. We just finally received all receipt notices in connection with I-485 employment based applications in October 2020 (a 4 month wait!). It does not seems like the situation is improving as we are continuing to receive various…
The Revocation of Two Trump Era Policies is Expected to Reduce Scrutiny of H-1B petitions
The Biden Administration has revoked or rescinded two Trump era policies: “Buy American and Hire American” (BAHA) Executive Order, and the 2017 Computer Programmer Memorandum. Revocation of BAHA Executive Order The BAHA executive order was signed on April 18, 2017 by President Trump which aimed to protect and increase wages for US workers by restricting…
USCIS Receipt Notice Update: Final Two I-485 Receipt Notices Received (4 months late)
Update April 2, 2021 We are now receiving EAD/AP approvals from I-485 EB applications filed in October. USCIS processing time for EAD and AP have also been updated recently to reflect the current processing timeframe. You may initiate service inquiry if EAD/AP is pending outside of the posted time frame. Update March 18, 2021 We…
Current Immigration Enforcement and Removal Priorities
Update June 28, 2022 A U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas vacated Secretary Mayorkas’s September 30, 2021, memorandum. The order, however, was stayed through June 24, 2022, to allow the Fifth Circuit the chance to rule on the government’s appeal. The Fifth Circuit did not rule and the motion remains pending. As…