The percentage of H-1B cases that were returned with requests for evidence (RFEs) in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2019 is significantly higher when compared to those returned in the first quarter of FY 2017. According to reports, a frequent reason for the...
USCIS Will Honor Premium Process Requests for Most 2018 H-1B Petitions
While a previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing remains in effect for H-1B petitions filed on or after December 22, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has resumed premium processing for all H-1B petitions...
Proposed Rule to Reverse Work Authorization for H-4 Spouses Now Under Review
The Trump administration has long vowed to rescind the H-4 work authorization program, which has allowed certain H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders in the United States to apply for EADs [employment authorization documents] since 2015. On February 20, 2019, the Trump...
Webinar: H-1B and Selected Immigration Alternatives in 2019
Presented by attorneys Kristal Ozmun and David Wilks, the webinar will provided insight into the upcoming April 2019 H-1B lottery together with select alternative immigration options. The webinar also offered suggestions on how to successfully navigate the evolving...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr and Nicolai Hinrichsen Quoted About ICE Arrests and EB-5
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by the Cornell Daily Sun in "Tompkins County Deputy Called ICE to Report Mexican Man in U.S. Illegally, Drawing Sheriff's Ire." Mr. Yale-Loehr said, "I agree that it is a close call, but the county...
Miller Mayer’s Upcoming February and March Talks
2/15 – David Wilks Presents Visas After Graduation at Rochester Institute of Technology 2/20 – David Wilks Speaks on Immigration Matters to Cornell Law’s Entrepreneurship Clinic 2/20 – Steve Yale-Loehr Presents Our Broken Immigration System and How to Fix It at...
ICE Announces Three Indictments for Student Visa Fraud, Harboring Aliens for Profit
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently publicized an undercover operation that resulted in three indictments charging eight individuals with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and harboring aliens for profit. As part of the scheme, ICE said, the...
USCIS Will Accept N-600 Forms for Citizen Application via Online Filing
Applicants can now complete and file online Forms N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants can...
Labor Unions Can Now Submit Negative P Visa Consultation Letters Directly to USCIS
A consultation letter from a U.S. labor organization is generally required for petitions in the P visa classification, which covers athletes, artists, entertainers, and their essential support personnel. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently said...
Revised Form I-539 and New I-539A to Require In-Person Biometrics as of March 11
Form I-539 is used for several nonimmigrant applications including extension of stay, change of status, and F-1 and M-1 reinstatement. As of March 11, 2019, a revised I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and additional new I-539A form will be...
