Immigration Settlement Clears the Way for Thousands of H-1B and L-1 Spouses to Work in the US
Immigration Insights Podcast: International Entrepreneur Parole Program & Biometrics Requirement
"Take 5" Immigration Podcast Series: Episode 15: Immigration Expectations Under the Biden Presidency
GENERAL - What are the current Executive Orders on immigration? On its first day in office, the Trump administration published 46 executive orders dealing with a broad range of issues, several of which were aimed...more
It is that time of year again when employers have to decide who they are sponsoring for an H-1B visa....more
A settlement agreement in the case of Edakunni v. Mayorkas was reached in January 2023. As part of the settlement agreement, USCIS agreed to: “bundle” the adjudication of Forms I-539 and I-765 for H-4 and L-2 derivatives with...more
Our Labor & Employment and Immigration teams discuss the looming delays in processing H-4 and L-2 dependent status and work permit applications after the Edakunni settlement’s “bundling” provision expires on January 18, 2025....more
Employers should begin evaluating their H-1B needs for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Each January, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) releases dates for the H-1B cap registration processes, with registration generally...more
A recent ruling in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia provides added protection and work authorization safeguards for H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders facing potential lawsuits and administrative challenges....more
For the last several years, unnecessary delays and long processing times of H-4 and H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization) applications have caused frustration for H-1B dependents attempting to change or extend their status,...more
In response to a Lawsuit (Edakunni v. Mayorkas) filed on behalf of Spouses of H-1B and L-1 Visa Holders, USCIS has reached a settlement agreement which it will implement effective today, January 25, 2023....more
In a settlement, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has agreed to return to processing dependent H-4 and L-2 applications at the same time as the H-1B or L-1 petition when filed concurrently. This...more
In an excellent development, as of January 25, 2023, the U.S. government agreed to resume the process of “bundling” H-4 and L-2 dependent applications, – including I-765 work permission applications, with the H-1B and L-1...more
OVERVIEW USCIS is expected to continue using its electronic registration process for fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B cap season. The registration period will run in March 2022 for a minimum of 14 calendar days. H-1B CAP FY ‘23...more
Since the publication of our November 12, 2021 alert, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance following the November 10, 2021 settlement agreement and updated the I-9 Handbook providing for...more
Please see the guidance on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (“USCIS”) recent settlement and policy changes regarding work authorization for L-2, H-4, and E visa spouses. ...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a policy alert outlining significant changes that include allowing for the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity for E, H-4 and...more
On November 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Memo to automatically allow for employment authorization for dependent E, L and certain H-4 spouses of principal visa holders, and it...more
Federal immigration officials just released helpful guidance that eases the process of spouses of highly skilled workers to receive their work authorization documentation, no doubt welcome news for employers across the...more
Following months of crisis-level processing times for Form I-765 Applications for Employment Authorization on behalf of dependent spouses in L-21 and H-42 nonimmigrant visa status, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service...more
Immigration Settlement Clears the way for thousands of H-1B and L-1 spouses to work in the U.S., Ulmer Immigration Group Leader David Leopold explains....more
In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to end the delays in approving visa extensions and work authorization – some of which are taking over a year to adjudicate. The plaintiffs in...more
On Burr & Forman's "Immigration Insights" podcast, host Melissa Azallion Kenny provides listeners with updates on the International Entrepreneur Parole Program and the suspension of biometric fees for dependent applicants....more
Although the Biden Administration has taken steps to maintain H-4 EADs for spouses of highly skilled H-1B workers, the program is still in jeopardy. Now, the Biden Administration is representing the Department of Homeland...more
On May 13, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will temporarily suspend the biometrics requirements for certain I-539 applicants for a two-year period beginning on May 17, 2021. ...more
On May 3, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) acting associate director of the Service Center Operations Directorate, Connie L. Nolan, indicated in a court filing that USCIS is finalizing a policy that...more
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced through a court filing on May 3 that it will suspend biometrics requirement for several categories of work visa dependent status application, thereby...more
The Biden-Harris administration has allowed Presidential Proclamation 10052 (PP 10052) to expire as of March 31. PP 10052, implemented by the previous administration in June 2020, had suspended the issuance of certain...more