When USCIS announced that H-4 holders would qualify for an automatic extension of their EAD, this was praised as a move in the right direction. However, the caveat to this rule is that to qualify for an automatic extension an individual needs to have a valid I-94. The automatic extension was initially 180 days, but...
Immigration Blog
I came to the U.S. in 2007, over 15 years ago. I knew before I even came that I wanted to stay indefinitely. My wife was initially sponsored for a J-1 and then quickly switched to an O-1, with myself trailing in the shadows. My wife was and still is a talented fashion designer. She...
It’s all over the news. Massive layoffs at Twitter and Facebook. Other companies will no doubt follow the same suit. Cutting employment costs is the number one way that companies deal with reduced profits, diminished demand for products and services, especially during a recession. Unfortunately for foreign nationals being laid off is particularly problematic as...
On August 19, 2022, the Department of Labor stated it would no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This announcement affects English language study programs and F-1 students applying for STEM OPT extensions. SEVP will notify students if their school is affected by the above and strongly encourage...
This article provides an update on the number of employment-based green cards issued last year and available this year. USCIS confirmed that they were able to use all the employment-based visas in FY 2022, except for 6396 EB-5 visas that had carried over from the previous year. USCIS approved more than 220,000 employment-based adjustments of...
Applicants filing Form I-90, to replace their green card, will now receive a receipt notice extending their status for 24 months. This is effective as of September 26, 2022 and replaces USCIS’s previous policy of only issuing 12-month receipt notices. While helpful for applicants, this is yet another sign that USCIS is struggling to adjudicate...
Form I-9 is used by U.S. employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of new employees and must require one for each individual hired. Employees attest to the fact that they are authorized to work and must present acceptable documents to evidence this. The employer is required to examine these documents to make sure...
If you are reading this article, you may not be familiar with the H-2B program. This is entirely different from the H-1B program and allows employers to hire non-professional workers to fill positions in, but not limited to, landscaping, grounds maintenance, construction, and hospitality. If your business has been affected by the ongoing labor shortage,...