In an effort to address the ongoing Employment Authorization Document (more commonly known as an “EAD”) processing backlog, USCIS recently announced it would lengthen the maximum validity period for certain EAD categories to...more
10/11/2023
/ Adjustment of Status ,
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigrants ,
Immigration Procedures ,
USCIS ,
Validity ,
Visas
It is no secret that certain sectors of U.S. employers have engaged in significant layoffs over the last six months. Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—laid off more than 11,000 employees in November...more
1/17/2023
/ Adjustment of Status ,
E-3 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
H-1B1 ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Layoffs ,
Visas
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a new “public charge” final rule that will go into effect December 23, 2022. The new rule will apply to all permanent residency (Green Card) applications filed on or...more
Beginning October 1, 2021, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all applicants applying for lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card) with some exceptions. ...more
9/22/2021
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Individual Mandate ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Permanent Residence Cards ,
Request for Evidence (RFEs) ,
USCIS ,
Vaccinations ,
Visas
Last month, President Joe Biden (“President Biden”) wrapped up his first 100 days as President of the United States – focusing on a myriad of issues from the Coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) to America’s immigration system....more
5/20/2021
/ DACA ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
H-2B ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Immigration Reform ,
J-1 Visas ,
L-1 Visas ,
Popular ,
Presidential Proclamations ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Public Charge ,
USCIS ,
Wage and Hour
From regulations designed to significantly alter the H-1B program to travel and visa bans, the immigration landscape has changed at a fast and furious pace over the last four years. Many legal practitioners expect more of the...more
2/2/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Border Security ,
DACA ,
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Workers ,
Form I-9 ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
H-4 ,
Immigrants ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Immigration Reform ,
Visas
On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order restricting immigration to the United States with the stated intent of protecting U.S. citizens from job competition and preserving medical resources as the economy...more
Often times, the first question asked by employment-based Green Card beneficiaries during an initial strategy consultation is, “How long until I have my Green Card in hand?” While the answer varies depending on the particular...more
8/24/2019
/ EB-1 ,
EB-2 ,
EB-3 ,
EB-4 ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
PERM ,
US Department of State ,
USCIS ,
Visa Bulletins ,
Visas
PERM can be one of the most confusing and frustrating portions of the employment-based Green Card process for employers. PERM is driven by numerous regulatory requirements and the slightest mistake can doom a Green Card...more
7/11/2019
/ Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Filing Requirements ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Job Applicants ,
Labor Certifications ,
PERM ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Recruitment Policies ,
USCIS ,
Visas ,
Wage and Hour
Hear from McNair's Jon Eggert on the special green card rules as it relates to Colleges & Universities....more
After months of anticipation, it appears the first major H-1B program-related change will be the recession of employment authorization for certain H-4 spouses. The change should have the largest effect on Chinese and Indian...more
1/24/2018
/ DACA ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) ,
Executive Orders ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
H-4 Spouses ,
Recessions ,
Time Extensions ,
Trump Administration ,
Work Visas
With changes in late 2017, many employers are gearing up for H-1B season on April 1, 2018. The H-1B visa allows foreign nationals to work in occupations that require at least a U.S. Bachelor’s Degree (or foreign equivalent)...more
1/22/2018
/ Diversity Lottery ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Filing Requirements ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visa Applications ,
Visa Caps ,
Work Visas
While students across the country are heading back to finish the school year, school districts are already preparing to hire teachers for the next academic term. Districts are suffering from a nationwide teaching shortage and...more
1/10/2018
/ Colleges ,
Diversity Lottery ,
Employee Retention ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
New Hires ,
New Rules ,
School Districts ,
Teachers ,
Universities ,
USCIS ,
Visas
On October 1, 2017, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) began phasing-in interviews for all employment-based green card applicants. Interviews have always been mandatory, but historically USCIS has...more
10/25/2017
/ Employees ,
Executive Orders ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Green Cards ,
I-485 Applications ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Interviews ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visas ,
Waivers
In early August, President Trump voiced support for a bill introduced earlier this year by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and David Perdue (R-GA) to effectively overhaul the current immigration system. The Reforming American...more
8/24/2017
/ Diversity Lottery ,
EB-5 ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Immigration Reform ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Non-Immigrant Visas ,
Popular ,
Proposed Legislation ,
RAISE Act ,
Trump Administration ,
Visas ,
Work Visas