The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued the state of Texas on January 3, 2024, regarding a new Texas law known as Senate Bill 4 (SB4). The bill would create, effective March 5, 2024, new state crimes tied to federal prohibitions on unlawful entry and reentry by...
Topic: Immigration Updates
USCIS Issues Guidance on ‘Ability to Pay’ Requirement When Adjustment Applicants Change Employers
On January 5, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance, effective immediately, on how it analyzes an employer's ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Recent Immigration News
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr co-authored an op-ed in the Seattle Times, Outdated Green Card Laws Hurt Workers From India. An immigration white paper that Steve coauthored, titled Immigration Reform: A Path Forward, was featured in an eCornell...
State Dept. Advises on Passport Processing
On December 18, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) announced that passport processing times have returned to the agency's pre-pandemic norm. As of December 18, 2023, DOS said, passport applications will be processed within 6 to 8 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3...
State Dept. Expands Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers
On December 21, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) announced that as of January 1, 2024, consular officers will have discretion to waive in-person interviews for: First time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and nonagricultural workers) and Other...
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for International Students
On December 20, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance regarding F and M nonimmigrant students, including the agency's role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and...
DOL Reminds Employers About Deadlines for Upcoming H-2B Filing Season
On December 22, 2023, the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) reminded employers that the filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and appendices) requesting work start dates of...
State Dept. Announces Pilot Program to Resume Domestic H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Renewals
On December 21, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) announced a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewal for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The pilot program will accept applications from January 29 to April 1, 2024....
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Public Benefits for Immigrants
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by the Cornell Chronicle in Research Team Led by Dr. Gunisha Kaur Wins 2023 National Academy of Medicine Catalyst Prize. The article discusses Dr. Kaur's winning research project, Digital Solutions to...
January Visa Bulletin Released; Religious Workers Category Extended
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for January 2024 notes that H.R. 6363, a stopgap funding bill signed on November 16, 2023, extended the employment fourth preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until February 2, 2024. The bulletin notes that no SR...
