To attract high-skilled foreign workers, Canada launched a special work permit program targeting H-1B visa holders in the United States, particularly nationals of India and China. The Tech Talent Strategy
Continue Reading Canadian Government’s New Work Permit for Foreign Workers with H-1B Visas in the United States Meets Announced Target in 48 HoursIan Macdonald
Ian R. Macdonald Co-Chairs the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice’s International Employment, Immigration & Workforce Strategies group. He focuses his practice on developing, assessing and managing global mobility programs for multinational companies on a range of challenges affecting the movement of people capital domestically and internationally, including secondment agreements, benefits transferability, local host country employment concerns and immigration.
Ian and his team work closely with companies to manage and modify, where needed, corporate immigration programs to maximize efficiency, service and regulatory compliance levels. He is experienced with the full range of business immigration sponsorship categories (visas and permanent residence), anti-discrimination rules to reduce or eliminate risk of employment litigation, employer sanction cases, and I-9 and E-Verify compliance. Ian assists clients with establishing risk-based performance standards (RBPS) and Department of Homeland Security protocol, providing risk assessment assistance to corporations subject to Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) and assisting clients with ITAR/Export Control compliance within the immigration context.
Ian has developed strategic relationships abroad that he utilizes when working with clients to ensure compliance with foreign registration requirements. He is experienced with analyzing complex global mobility opportunities on country-specific matters to facilitate the transfer of personnel. Ian is also experienced in counseling employers on immigration strategy as well as immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions, reduction in workforces, and furloughs.
Prior to joining the firm, Ian worked for the United Nations, various non-governmental think tanks and corporate law firms in London, Washington, D.C., New York and Atlanta.
New Parole Initiative for Nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras Reflects Biden Administration’s Use of Executive Actions to Implement Immigration Policy
On July 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a family reunification parole initiative for certain beneficiaries of an approved I-130, Petition for Alien Relative from Colombia…
Continue Reading New Parole Initiative for Nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras Reflects Biden Administration’s Use of Executive Actions to Implement Immigration PolicyUSCIS Introduces New Guidance for EADs Based on Compelling Circumstances
Tucked away in the Code of Federal Regulations is a statute that provides employment authorization to nonimmigrants – such as holders of E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, or O-1 visas –…
Continue Reading USCIS Introduces New Guidance for EADs Based on Compelling CircumstancesDHS Adds 8 Fields to STEM OPT Program, Expanding Opportunities for Foreign National Students
On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of eight new fields of study to the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The OPT…
Continue Reading DHS Adds 8 Fields to STEM OPT Program, Expanding Opportunities for Foreign National StudentsThe United States Will Now Require Visa Applicants to Provide Social Media Information
Under a new State Department policy, virtually all visa applicants to the United States are now required to submit information about social media accounts they have used in the past …
Continue Reading The United States Will Now Require Visa Applicants to Provide Social Media Information
GT Alert – New Immigration Policy Focuses On Alcohol-Related Charges
In an apparent change in policy, U.S. immigration authorities are now taking a hard-line approach to individuals who have alcohol-related charges or offenses, marking a significant shift in how U.S.
Continue Reading GT Alert – New Immigration Policy Focuses On Alcohol-Related Charges
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Petitions Filed under FY2018 Cap
USCIS announced today that it will resume its premium processing service for all H-1B petitions that are subject to this year’s H-1B cap. This news provides much needed relief to employers and foreign nationals, particularly in those situations where an employee is relying on F-1 optional practical training (OPT) cap gap provisions for work authorization. F-1 OPT cap gap work authorization will expire on Sept. 30, 2017, leaving foreign nationals unable to work unless their H-1B petition is approved before Oct. 1, 2017, or they are able to secure alternative work authorization, which is unlikely for most.
Continue Reading USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Petitions Filed under FY2018 Cap
New DOS Rule Regarding Misrepresentation – An End to the 30/60 Day Rule
On Sept. 1, 2017, the U.S Department of State (DOS) updated the Field Adjudicators Manual (FAM) at 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(3). The Field Adjudicators Manual (FAM) serves to guide consular officers…
Continue Reading New DOS Rule Regarding Misrepresentation – An End to the 30/60 Day Rule
Denial of Advance Parole Applications Due to International Travel Adversely Impacts U.S. Companies
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is denying Advance Parole (AP) applications when an applicant travels internationally while the application is pending with USCIS. This represents a big adjudication shift…
Continue Reading Denial of Advance Parole Applications Due to International Travel Adversely Impacts U.S. Companies
USCIS Confirms all 2018 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Returned
Today, USCIS announced that it has now returned all cap-subject H-1B petitions to employers or their representatives that were not selected in fiscal year 2018 following the lottery process. Any…
Continue Reading USCIS Confirms all 2018 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Returned