If you’ve “won” the H-1B lottery and are fortunate enough to have key foreign national workers at your organization, you may think your worries are over – but a recent trend may mean you’ll get a site visit at your workplace...more
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced its intention to expand the use of criminal statutes to address illegal immigration. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to enforcement initiatives that hold...more
On Jan. 17, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations focusing on the H-1B nonimmigrant classification (a nonimmigrant status for foreign workers in specialty occupations) went into effect. In part,...more
President Trump’s new administration takes charge this week with a renewed focus on enforcing federal immigration law. In fact, as explained in today’s companion article, one of President Trump’s first action items on...more
As we head into another Trump presidency later this month, many U.S. employers are wondering how the new administration’s strong stance on immigration might impact their organization, including its ability to hire and retain...more
On October 23, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would significantly modify the H-1B visa program. According to the DHS announcement, the proposed rule would...more
In the realm of corporate risk, immigration-related concerns often take a back seat. But a closer look at the current Administration’s actions reveals where priorities lie and which industries, sectors, and companies may be...more
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released yet another rule that will make it harder and more costly for U.S. companies to employ highly skilled workers. As a companion regulation to the “Strengthening Wage...more
Immigration continues to be a centerpiece of the Trump administration, and this means that the legal landscape may be subject to legislative, regulatory, policy, and agency operational changes, leading to additional barriers...more
Besides the wall, another immigration-related theme made a frequent appearance in the presidential campaign: the H-1B visa. This program allows foreign nationals with a bachelor’s degree or higher (or the equivalent in...more
In line with its focus on compliance and enforcement of existing laws, the Trump Administration has announced measures to “deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse” and to protect American workers just as thousands of H-1B...more
On April 1, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting new H-1B petitions for professional positions. We note that these petitions will have a start date of October 1, 2017....more
While the 21st Century is a time of globalization, a time where with telecommuting and virtual offices there is a re-examination of whether there is still significance to your geographical location, United States Citizenship...more
On July 21, 2015, USCIS issued Final Guidance for agency adjudicators regarding applying the precedent decision, Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC. As we previously reported, Matter of Simeio radically reinterpreted the...more
On April 9, 2015, the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) issued a precedent decision affirming the California Service Center (CSC) Director's revocation of an H-1B...more
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) empowers its Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) officers to make unannounced site visits to employers of H-1B and L-1 workers. The stated purpose of these site visits...more