New Opportunity to Request Reopening H-1B Petitions Previously Denied

If your H-1B petition was previously denied, it may be eligible for reconsideration under a new Department of Homeland Security announcement. Learn more about recent developments.

Employment Authorization Announced for Venezuelans

On March 9, 2021, USCIS announced a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans for an 18-month period beginning March 9, 2021 through September 9, 2022. Read about this authorization.

USCIS Announces New Guidance for Completing Form I-9

DHS has extended the COVID-19 compliance accommodations for Form I-9, and USCIS has issued new I-9 guidance concerning employees with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and for DACA recipients. Read about these changes.

New Executive Order August 3, 2020 – Hiring Practices of Employers with Federal Contracts or Sub-Contracts Under Scrutiny

The president today ordered executive department and agency review of the use of foreign workers to perform certain government contracts in 2018 and 2019 to determine whether opportunities for US workers were affected. Learn more about this order.

June 22, 2020 Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry/Admission to the U.S.

On June 22, 2020, the president issued a new proclamation suspending entry into the United States for additional categories of employees and executives and extending the prior proclamation of April 22, 2020. The new proclamation is broad, and purports to eliminate employment authorization for many already in the U.S. under certain circumstances.

When Will H1-B Petitions Get Receipt Notices, Be Processed, and Notifications Made?

On April 13, 2020, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced delays in entering data and generating receipt notices for FY 2021 Cap-subject H-1B petitions until “at least” May 1, 2020.  Due to delayed data entry and notice generation, there will be a general delay in processing FY 2021 cap-subject petitions. USCIS advises it is, “mindful of petitions with sensitive expiration and start dates, such as cap-gap petitions, and will strive to process these petitions as efficiently as possible.”

What Should You Do if Your Visa Status is Expiring, and You Can’t Leave the US?

The COVID-19 crisis and the associated suspension of many international flights are impacting many people in the US under a variety of visas which require that a person leave the US by a certain date.  The steps to take to seek to extend a period of stay vary according to the type of status held, and the government’s policies being adopted in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Surge in Unemployment Filings Raises Potential Document Conflicts

Employers should be advised that the surge in filings for unemployment is bringing to light potential conflicts of employee social security numbers or employment authorization documents.