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
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
All applicants for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa at a consular post quickly become familiar with the DS-160, online nonimmigrant visa application form, which is available on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC)...more
Employers who file I-129 petitions to sponsor foreign nationals for work visas make a number of representations to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about the terms of the foreign national’s employment,...more
New immigration policy requires all U.S. Consulates to review applicants’ public social media history, past e-mail addresses and recent phone numbers when adjudicating visa applications....more
Employers who source talent from consulting or staffing companies continue to face growing scrutiny from multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and...more
In June 2018, Congress held a hearing on “Citizenship for Sale: Oversight of the EB-5 Investor Visa Program.” The current EB-5 program allows wealthy individuals to apply for and obtain green cards by investing anywhere from...more
Historically, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has been the primary auditor of companies using H-2B visa to hire temporary, seasonal workers. But amid debates over the cap on H-2B visas and an expressed...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
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 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
USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate is expected to begin full-scale implementation of an L-1 site inspection program in the near future. FDNS conducts unannounced administrative site visits...more